Network Printers - Windows

These instructions explain how to perform a variety of network printer tasks on College-owned computers running Windows, such as how to install, set your default printer, and remove printers you no longer use.

This article explains how to perform a variety of network printer tasks on College-owned computers running Windows.

For personal computers, please see Printing on Middlebury Campus - Personal Windows.

 

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The Windows 10 to 11 upgrade has resulted in network printers not showing or not working on some devices. See this troubleshooting note for the Windows 11 upgrade for a quick solution.

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Contents

• Overview
• See Printers & Drivers
• Connect / Install
• Set Default Printer
• Remove a Printer
• Troubleshooting

 

Overview

To use a networked departmental printer, you may need to obtain its exact network print queue name.  Look for a sticker on the printer showing this information or consult the printer list. Co-workers and department coordinators may also be able to provide you with the needed name(s).  Once you have obtained the printer queue name(s), simply follow the appropriate steps below to connect to the desired printers.

All public printers—as well as many others—belong to print queues (i.e., MiddBW and MiddColor) that provide flexibility in where and when you choose to release your documents to print. All printers on the Monterey Campus use the MiddBW and MiddColor queues.

These are the Middlebury print servers:

• Walnut — Queue for Middlebury campus printers, including MiddColor & MiddBW
• Seaotter — Queue for MIIS printers
• Papercut — Queue for posters - NOTE that this printing queue has restricted access

 

See Printers & Drivers

You can see the printers you currently have installed under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. You can also see them listed in the Device Manager under Print queues. 

To see installed print drivers, continue navigating from Printers & Scanners to Related Settings > Print Server Properties > Drivers. You can also view print drivers in Print Management > All Drivers—if you do not have this program installed, you can add it by going to Settings > Optional features and installing Print Management. 

 

Connect / Install

1. Ensure you are connected to the MiddleburyCollege network. 

2. Right-click the Windows icon and select Run. 

3. Type \\walnut (Middlebury Campus) or \\seaotter (Monterey Campus) as appropriate, then press the Enter key to open and view the full list of printers.

   • Save time by using the exact printer name.  Type in \\walnut\printername (or \\seaotter\printername) then press Enter.

     • e.g., use \\walnut\MiddColor to install MiddColor on the Middlebury campus or \\seaotter\MiddBW to install MiddColor on the MIIS campus.

   • If you are unsure where the printer is in the list, you can search the available printers at the top right.

4. Double-click a desired printer to install it.

   • If prompted, click the Install driver button.

Repeat the above steps for each printer you would like to add.

 

Set Default Printer

1. Click the Windows icon and search "printer".

2. Open Printers & scanners from System settings.

3. Make sure that "Let Windows manage my default printer" is toggled Off.

4. Select the printer.

5. Click the Set as default button.

Remove a Printer

1. Click the Windows icon and search "printer".

2. Open Printers & scanners from System settings.

3. Select the printer.

4. Click the Remove button.

   • Click Yes to confirm and allow the printer's removal.

Troubleshooting

If, using your Middlebury credentials, the you see the error "Access denied." for a printer you know you have permissions for:

• Try using the fully qualified domain name (e.g., \\walnut.middlebury.edu) rather than the shortened address (e.g., \\walnut). 

If the computer prompts for a driver update:

• Note the printer name (ex: "Walnut\P0123"). If the print server (Walnut in this example) is known and trusted, then proceed with the installation; otherwise, please request support.

• Update the drivers as prompted. 

  • This will not work properly if the computer is not logged in with a network account that has printing privileges

• If the update fails, please note which queue name is having issues (ex: "Walnut\P0123"), then remove & re-add that printer.

• If removing and re-adding fails to fix the problem, please see the instructions listed here.