TR8620a - Printer Icon Not Showing In Devices and Printers.

[scnrfrq]

I have 2 TR8620a printers. I have installed new drivers for both. On 2 of my PC's, both printers show up in Devices and Printers, as they should. Previously, they both showed up on all 4 of my PC's. Now on one, both printers are combined into one icon. On the other PC, the only icon showing is for the newer printer. Not sure why the icons changed for these 2 PC's. In any case, both printers are installed on all 4 PC;s, and I can print to them. The problem is why now do they show up differently in Devices and Printers. Makes it difficult to manage them, for preferences, etc. I've tried various common fixes, but no luck. 

[Patrick]

Hi scnrfrq,

According to Microsoft, there are several factors that contribute to the printer grouping, and the type of device as with the more common Multi-Function Printers. The way that printers are grouped or not depends on the following factors:

1. Same driver.
2. Same Port.
3. Same HardwareID.

Typically it's identified that if the devices use the same HardwareID means same hardware printers, drivers may be different, PS, PCL, and so on. The determining factor is the port and the HardwareID, which is why they are combined.

It's an expected behavior.

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[scnrfrq]

It is strange, My 2 desktops (Windows 10 and 11) show both printers separately, like it should be. The 2 laptops (also 10 and 11) only show the newer printer. This is after I reinstalled the drivers on both laptops. Both printers show as installed on all 4 PC's, and I can print to them. Any way to get them shown separately?

[scnrfrq]

Guess there's no solution. I finally just downloaded a shortcut to the Printers folder on the 2 PC's. This shows all the printers installed, like it should show in Devices and Printers.