How to Open Devices and Printers in Windows 11

To open Devices and Printers in Windows 11, press Windows + R, type control printers and press Enter, or open Control Panel and go to Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers. You can also reach your printers and connected devices from Settings > Bluetooth & devices, which is where newer Windows 11 updates send many of these options. The steps below cover each method and what to do if the window does not open.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 PC with administrative access (most users will already have this)
• An active internet connection (optional, for updates or troubleshooting)

Step-by-Step

1. Click on the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
2. Type Control Panel into the search bar. As you type, Windows will display search results.
3. Click on Control Panel from the search results to open it. If you don’t see it, ensure that your search is set to search everywhere or try typing it again.
4. In the Control Panel window, set the View by option to Large icons or Small icons if it’s not already set. This makes all items visible in a list format.
5. Scroll down and locate the option labeled Devices and Printers. Click on it to open the Devices and Printers window.
6. Alternatively, you can access Devices and Printers directly via the Run dialog. Press Windows + R to open the Run box. Type control printers and press Enter. This command directly opens the Devices and Printers window.
7. If you prefer using the Settings app, click on the Start menu, then select Settings. In Settings, navigate to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. From here, click on Devices and printers (if available) or manage your connected devices.
8. Once the Devices and Printers window opens, you can view connected devices, add new hardware, troubleshoot device issues, or change device settings as needed.

Common Mistakes

• Not setting the Control Panel view to icons, making it harder to find Devices and Printers.
• Using incorrect commands in the Run dialog (e.g., typing ‘Devices’ instead of ‘control printers’).
• Trying to access Devices and Printers via the Settings app only, missing the traditional interface.
• Not having administrator privileges, which can restrict access to certain device management features.
• Overlooking the search function in the Start menu, which can be faster than navigating through menus.

Tips

• Use the search bar in the Start menu for quick access—just type ‘Devices and Printers’ or ‘control printers’.
• Create a desktop shortcut for quick access: right-click on the desktop, select New > Shortcut, then enter control printers as the location.
• Pin Devices and Printers to the taskbar or Start menu for even faster access in the future.
• If you frequently troubleshoot hardware, consider adding the Devices and Printers shortcut to your Quick Access menu.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues opening Devices and Printers, try the following steps:

• Ensure your Windows 11 system is up to date. Sometimes, outdated systems can cause interface glitches. Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.
• Run the System File Checker (SFC). Open Command Prompt as administrator, then type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This scans and repairs corrupted system files that might hinder access.
• Try accessing Devices and Printers via alternative methods, such as the Run command (control printers) or through the Settings app.
• Disable any third-party security software temporarily, as it can sometimes block access to system tools.
• If all else fails, consider performing a system restart or resetting Windows settings related to Control Panel access.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I open Devices and Printers quickly in Windows 11?

You can quickly open Devices and Printers by typing control printers in the Run dialog (Windows + R) or searching for it in the Start menu.

2. Can I open Devices and Printers from the Settings app?

Yes, in Windows 11, you can access some device management features through Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, but the full Devices and Printers window is accessed via Control Panel.

3. What should I do if Devices and Printers does not open?

Try running system updates, use the control printers command, or restart your PC. If problems persist, check for system file corruption or conflicts with security software.

4. Is there a shortcut for Devices and Printers?

Yes, creating a desktop shortcut with control printers or pinning the Control Panel icon makes access faster.

5. How do I troubleshoot device issues in Devices and Printers?

Right-click on the device in the window and select Troubleshoot. Follow the on-screen instructions to diagnose and fix common device problems.

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