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10 Tech How-To

Fix Printer Icon Not Showing in Windows 10

Guide 10-38832 · Updated · Step by step

If your printer icon has disappeared from the Devices and Printers folder or the taskbar in Windows 10, the fix usually involves restarting the Print Spooler service, checking hidden devices, or reinstalling the printer driver. This article walks through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to get the icon back.

Why the Printer Icon Disappears

The printer icon in Windows 10 can vanish for several reasons, ranging from a temporary glitch in the Print Spooler service to a corrupted driver or a Windows update that changed default settings. The icon might also be hidden because the printer is set to “offline” or because the “Show hidden icons” arrow in the taskbar is covering it. Understanding the root cause helps you pick the fastest fix.

Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

  • Look for the small upward arrow (^) in the bottom-right taskbar; click it to reveal hidden icons. If the printer icon is there, drag it back to the taskbar.
  • Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners and see if your printer is listed. If it appears there but not in Devices and Printers, the driver may be corrupted.
  • Make sure the printer is powered on and connected (USB or network). A disconnected printer often disappears from the list.

Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages all print jobs. If it stops or crashes, printer icons can vanish. Restarting it is safe and often resolves the issue immediately.

  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Scroll to Print Spooler. Right-click it and select Restart. If it’s not running, right-click and choose Start.
  3. Close the Services window and check if the printer icon reappears in Devices and Printers.

Show Hidden Devices in Device Manager

Sometimes Windows hides the printer device entirely. You can force it to show hidden devices in Device Manager.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. In the menu bar, click View and check Show hidden devices.
  3. Expand Print queues or Printers. If you see a grayed-out printer, right-click it and choose Uninstall device (this removes the driver entry, not your files).
  4. Then go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, click Add a printer, and let Windows re-detect it.

Reinstall or Update the Printer Driver

A corrupted or outdated driver is a common culprit. Reinstalling the driver often brings the icon back and fixes print errors.

  1. Open Device Manager and expand Print queues.
  2. Right-click your printer and select Uninstall device. Check “Delete the driver software for this device” if offered.
  3. Restart your PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically, or you can manually add the printer via Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
  4. If Windows doesn’t find the driver, download the latest one from the printer manufacturer’s website and install it.

Check for Windows Updates

Occasionally, a Windows update can break printer visibility. Checking for pending updates and installing them might resolve the issue.

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Click Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your PC.

Add the Printer Manually

If the icon still doesn’t show, add the printer manually using its IP address or name.

  1. Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners and click Add a printer.
  2. Choose The printer that I want isn’t listed.
  3. Select Add a printer using TCP/IP address or hostname and enter the printer’s IP (found on the printer’s display or network settings).
  4. Follow the prompts to install the driver. The icon should appear in Devices and Printers afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my printer icon missing from the taskbar?

The taskbar printer icon appears only when there are active print jobs or when the printer software adds it. If it’s missing, check the hidden icons area (^) and ensure the printer is set as the default. You can also re-add it by right-clicking the taskbar, selecting “Taskbar settings,” and turning on “Show small taskbar buttons” if that helps.

How do I get the printer icon back in Devices and Printers?

Restart the Print Spooler service first. If that doesn’t work, uninstall the printer from Settings, restart your PC, and re-add it. Also check that the printer is powered on and connected.

Can a Windows update cause the printer icon to disappear?

Yes, some Windows updates have caused printer driver conflicts. Installing the latest updates or rolling back a recent update (Settings > Update & Security > View update history) can help.

Why does my printer show as offline and the icon disappears?

An offline printer often hides its icon. Set the printer to “online” by right-clicking it in Devices and Printers and unchecking “Use Printer Offline.” If that doesn’t work, check the connection and restart both the printer and your PC.

Is it safe to delete the printer driver?

Yes, uninstalling the driver from Device Manager is safe. It only removes the software entry, not your documents. Windows will reinstall the driver when you add the printer again.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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