To verify the computer's connection to the printer you select the "Ports" tab. The "Ports" tab identifies the port that connects the computer to the printer. When the printer is connected by a USB cable to the computer, the port label identifies a USB port. Sometimes unplugging a reviews hp printers USB cable and plugging it into a different USB port re-establishes the connection between the computer and the printer.

Driver programs connecting Windows to the printer port may not be functioning properly with Windows. In this case reinstalling the latest printer driver programs can resolve this issue. The driver programs must typically match exactly the version of Windows on the computer. Often separate driver programs are used for the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows®. The latest driver programs are found at the printer manufacturer's website.

If the printer is a network printer, a standard TCP/IP port is checked. A TCP/IP port connection can be broken when the incorrect printer IP address is used. To reconnect the printer to the computer, make sure that the IP address on the computer is the same as the IP address assigned to the printer. When the printer is a wireless printer, verifying the connection becomes more difficult. Similar to any other network connected printer, a wireless printer must have the IP address match the address used by the TCP/IP port on the computer.