Cannot print using network printer while VPN is on

Bugbear
Bugbear Posts: 1 New Member
in Privacy VPN

Hello,

Often, when VPN is on, I cannot print or scan until I turn off the VPN. I'm running Windows 11, I'm on a home wi-fi network and my printer is also wirelessly connected to that network.

When I turn the VPN off, printing starts to work.

Knowledgebase article 000003338 says to "set the network as a trusted network". But this I have done about a year ago, and yet I keep facing the same issue.

Knowledgebase article 000004707 is about a similar issue on an Android device. In addition to setting the network as a trusted network, it says to "Switch on Connect to local devices". This does not seem to apply to Windows, as there is no such option in the VPN settings menu.

Obviously, I can just keep turning off my VPN to connect my printer. But this is an unelegant solution. Is there something more I could do to avoid having to turn the VPN off?

Thanks,

Joose

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Answers

  • Kenajam
    Kenajam Posts: 2 Observer

    Hello,

    I have a similar WLAN problem as Joose but using a MacBook Pro (2020) with macOS Tahoe and a Borther HL-L5100DN series printer:

    • VPN off - printer on
    • VPN on - printer off

    But I have any problems to print the same document from my iPhone 11 while VPN is on.

    Neither do I have any problems when I connect the MacBook with the printer by USB (instead of WLAN) while VPN is "on".

    Who can help me to solve the above mentionned problem?

    Many thanks.

    Best regards

    Kenajam

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  • Ukko
    Ukko Posts: 4,014 Superuser

    Hello,

    Knowledgebase article 000003338 says to "set the network as a trusted network". But this I have done about a year ago, and yet I keep facing the same issue.

    Can you try re-add your network as a trusted network (like to delete from list and then add it again while VPN is turned off)? If you haven't tried it of course and just to rule out the possibility of such a strange glitch.

    Also, can you check one thing based on this mention:

    This feature works only when the Killswitch feature is switched on. If Killswitch is switched off, you can access your local network without changing any settings.

    Can you use the printer if the Killswitch is disabled? Or does the problem still persist?

    Thanks!

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  • Kenajam
    Kenajam Posts: 2 Observer

    Dear Ukko,

    Many thanks for your great help!

    I followed your suggestions, but the printer worked properly only once when I disabled Killswitch. I hope it will work again tomorrow.

    Best regards,

    Kenajam

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  • jimhea88
    jimhea88 Posts: 1 Observer

    How do I go about setting the network as a trusted network?

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  • JOnes
    JOnes Posts: 1,337 Forum Legend

    https://help.f-secure.com/product.html#home/total-windows/latest/en/task_3DA57F1690554E62834F077E7B3DEE86-latest-en

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