How to Fix Fix Mapped Network Printer Keeps Disappearing on Windows
Network printer disappears after restart? Mapped printer gone every morning? Have to re-add the printer repeatedly? Fix network printers disappearing on Windows.
📖
Main Troubleshooting Guide
How to Fix Printer Not Working →Complete symptoms, causes, and step-by-step solutions
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •Network printer disappears from Printers list after restart
- •Printer shows as "offline" then vanishes completely
- •Have to re-add the printer every day or after every reboot
- •Printer works fine during the session but gone the next morning
- •Multiple users on the network experiencing the same issue
- •Printer appears briefly at login then disappears
Common Causes
- ⚠Print Spooler service clearing printer connections on restart
- ⚠Network printer discovery protocol (WSD) timing out during startup
- ⚠Printer driver incompatible or corrupted — Windows removes the printer
- ⚠Group Policy "Point and Print" restrictions blocking persistent connections
- ⚠TCP/IP printer port losing its configuration
- ⚠Credential Manager not saving printer share credentials
Solutions
Solution 1: Re-add Printer with TCP/IP Port
- 1WSD-based printers are more likely to disappear — use TCP/IP instead:
- 2Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device
- 3Click "Add manually" or "The printer I want isn't listed"
- 4Select "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname"
- 5Enter the printer's IP address (find it on the printer's network settings page)
- 6Windows will detect the printer and install the driver
- 7TCP/IP port connections are more persistent than WSD
- 8Set this printer as default if needed
Solution 2: Fix Print Spooler Persistence
- 1Check Print Spooler service startup:
- 2Services.msc → "Print Spooler" → Properties → set to "Automatic"
- 3Check for corrupted printer drivers:
- 4Settings → Printers & scanners → Print server properties → Drivers tab
- 5Remove any duplicate or old drivers for the problem printer
- 6Clear the print spooler cache:
- 7Stop Print Spooler → delete all files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
- 8Restart Print Spooler → re-add the printer
- 9Verify the printer persists across restarts
Solution 3: Fix Group Policy and Credentials
- 1For shared network printers: save credentials permanently:
- 2Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials
- 3Add a Windows credential for the print server (\\server\printer)
- 4If Point and Print restrictions block the printer:
- 5gpedit.msc → Computer Config → Admin Templates → Printers
- 6"Point and Print Restrictions" → set to Disabled or configure allowed servers
- 7Create a startup script to reconnect printers:
- 8rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /n "\\server\printername"
- 9Add this as a logon script via Task Scheduler
FIXES THIS IN 5 MINUTES
Fix Fix Mapped Network Printer Keeps Disappearing Automatically
RescuePC Toolkit includes 109+ automated repairs that fix this problem with one click. No command line knowledge required.
Download Now - Free TrialNo credit card required • Works on Windows 10 & 11