Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8: How and When to Create a New Network Printer Port

Document ID:HO3612
 
03/08/13 Properties  

Problem

Cannot create port; Unable to find printer port; Port is missing; Unknown location of printer port; No port; Missing printer port; Cannot print; Green Wi-Fi light but will not print; Unable to communicate; Cannot locate the port; Printing not possible; Unable to print; Error message; Printer not available; Replacement printer will not communicate; Exchanged; Wrong port; Recreate; Reconfigure; Port not available; Network printing not possible;

Solution

Overview


This article details the steps on how to create a Lexmark printer network port. This will be helpful to users with a printer network communication issue.

 

Audience


Any end user experiencing any of the conditions or scenarios below:

  • You have received a replacement or exchange printer, and you need to create a new port.
  • You have deleted the network printer port.
  • You are unable to find or recognize the correct network printer port.
  • You can scan to your PC over the network; however, you cannot print to your printer over the network.

 

Products Affected


All Lexmark wireless inkjet printers and All-In-Ones. 

 

Before you begin
 

Make sure that you are able to make a copy and the printer is communicating over the network.

Recommended suggestions that may help:

  1. Verify the presence of a green Wi-Fi indicator light .
  2. Print the network settings page to obtain the IP address and UAA (MAC) address of the printer.
  3. This procedure is optional! Ping the printer's IP address. Only perform this procedure if you are still uncertain about the printer's connection status with your wireless network. Click here for ping instructions.

 

Ports Tab and Port Identification


To find the printer port (name) found under the Ports tab, follow the appropriate path for your version of the operating system.

To access the Ports tab:  
Microsoft Windows Vista users: 
  1. Click .
  2. Click on Control Panel.
  3. Click on Hardware and Sound.
  4. Click on Printers.
  5. Right-click on the installed printer object; for example, Lexmark S600 Series.
  6. Click on Properties from the drop-down menu.
  7. Click on Ports.

Optional Path using Classic View:  > Control Panel > View Printers

 
Microsoft Windows 7 users:
  1. Click on .
  2. Click on Devices and Printers.
  3. Right-click on the installed printer object; for example, Lexmark S600 Series.
  4. Click on Printer Properties from the drop-down menu.
  5. Click on Ports.

Optional path using Category View:  > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > View Devices and Printers

MS Windows 7 Illustration

 

Microsoft Windows 8 users:

  1. With a touchscreen capable device, while on the Start screen, swipe up and touch the All apps icon OR with a mouse, right-click anywhere on the Start screen and then click All apps.
    TIP! With a keyboard, press the WIN logo and X keys together to access the Power User Menu, which has a shortcut for Control Panel.
  2. On the Apps screen, swipe or scroll to the right and find the Windows System category.
  3. Press or click on the Control Panel icon.
  4. Click on Devices and Printers.
  5. Right-click on the installed printer object; for example, Lexmark S600 Series.
  6. Click on Printer Properties from the drop-down menu.

  7. Click on Ports.

Optional path using Category View: Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > View Devices and Printers

 

Procedure: Reconfiguring the Port


Step Action Click Image to Enlarge
1

Under the Ports tab, click on Add Port. Perform this procedure if you cannot locate the port name with affiliated UAA(MAC) six-digit address identifier.

Remember! This is last six digits of the UAA(MAC) address. A replacement printer will have a different unique MAC address.

Important! Every hardware device on the network has a unique MAC address. This value is essential to identifying the correct port.

2 Under Printer Ports: Available Ports, Select Lexmark XXXX Series Port, and then click New Port.
3 The Network Configuration Utility will appear. Please Wait... will be displayed while the network configuration utility searches the network for the printer.
4

If the printer is identified, click on the identified printer to highlight it and click Close.

If the printer does not appear in the search results, click on Add Printer to search for your printer's individual IP address or subnet address. Make sure you have identified the correct IP address. The utility only searches local subnets or segments of the network.

Note: If the printer still does not appear after performing the steps above, click here to check the service status of the lx??_device. This service must be started for the printer to be found.
5 The network configuration utility now creates the port, but you must first click Close on the Printer Ports: Available Ports window before you can see the newly created port.
6

Locate the port and make sure there is a check mark in the box next to it. Click Apply.

Important! Failure to click Apply may prevent successful port selection.

Optional notification: You may have to click OK to allow Lx<xx>coms.exe to access the network. This is required for all network communication. 
7 To test the newly created port, click on the General tab, and then click Print test page.

8

Important! Make sure the printer is not offline before attempting to print the test page. Double-click on the print object, and then Printer. Remove the check mark if one is present.

NOTE: The printer name Lexmark S600 Series USB that you see in the images above does not hold any value. You may name your printer as desired. What is most important is the port selection.

  

What does the network printer port look like?

 
Look for something similar to the following:

S600_Series_338C84_P1, where S600 is the printer model, and 338C84 is the last 6-digits of the UAA(MAC) address.

IMPORTANT! A new or exchange printer will typically have a new unique UAA (MAC) address. This makes it essential to create a new network printer port.  

UAA(MAC) address Location: You can find the the UAA(MAC) address on a printed Network Settings page, or on the back of the printer.

  

Still Need Help?

 
Please contact Lexmark Technical Support if you need additional assistance. NOTE: When calling for support, you will need to know your printer model type and serial number (SN).

Please call from near the printer, wireless router, and computer in case the technician asks you to perform a task involving one of these devices.

 



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