Fix Printer WSD Port Switching to TCP/IP and Losing Status on Windows 11

Your Windows 11 printer shows as offline, status is missing, or jobs disappear from the queue. This often happens when the printer port type changes from Web Services for Devices (WSD) to TCP/IP without your input. Windows 11 may switch the port during driver updates, network changes, or power cycles on the printer. This article explains why the port switches, how to lock the correct port, and how to restore full printer status and communication.

Why Windows 11 Switches Printer Ports From WSD to TCP/IP

Windows 11 uses the Web Services for Devices (WSD) protocol to discover printers on the network. WSD ports appear as WSD-xxxxx in the printer properties. These ports are dynamic. When the printer restarts, changes its IP address via DHCP, or when Windows updates the printer driver, the system may create a new WSD port or fall back to a TCP/IP port. The switch breaks the bi-directional communication that provides ink levels, paper status, and job progress. The printer shows as offline even though it can still receive print jobs. The root cause is that Windows 11 prioritizes WSD discovery over static port assignments unless you explicitly configure a Standard TCP/IP Port with the correct IP address.

How WSD Ports Work and Why They Fail

WSD ports are created automatically when Windows detects a printer that supports the WSD protocol. These ports use a unique identifier tied to the printer’s network adapter. If the printer is turned off, loses power, or the network changes, Windows may not find the original WSD port and creates a new one. The old port becomes orphaned. The printer driver then points to a TCP/IP port created by Windows as a fallback. This fallback port lacks the extended status data that WSD provides. The result is a working printer with no status updates.

Steps to Lock a Static TCP/IP Port and Restore Printer Status

The fix requires two actions: configure a Standard TCP/IP Port with the printer’s static IP address, then delete all WSD ports for that printer. This prevents Windows from switching back to a WSD port on the next restart or driver update.

Step 1: Find the Printer’s Current IP Address

1. Print a network configuration page from the printer
   Most printers have a button labeled Network, Info, or Setup on the control panel. Press it and select Print Network Settings. Look for IPv4 Address. Write down the address, for example 192.168.1.100. If the printer does not have a static IP, set a static IP in the printer’s network settings menu before proceeding.
2. Verify the IP address is reachable from Windows 11
   Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type ping 192.168.1.100 and press Enter. Wait for four replies. If you see Request Timed Out, check the printer’s network connection and ensure both devices are on the same subnet.

Step 2: Add a Standard TCP/IP Port

1. Open Printers and Scanners in Windows 11
   Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Go to Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners. Locate your printer in the list. Click on it and select Printer properties.
2. Open the Ports tab and add a new port
   In Printer properties, click the Ports tab. Click Add Port. Select Standard TCP/IP Port from the list. Click New Port. The Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard opens. Click Next.
3. Enter the printer’s IP address
   In the Printer Name or IP Address field, type the IP address you noted earlier, for example 192.168.1.100. The Port Name field fills automatically. Click Next. Windows detects the printer and completes the wizard. Click Finish.
4. Set the new port as the active port
   Back in the Ports tab, you see the new port listed as IP_192.168.1.100. Check the box next to it. Uncheck any other checked ports. Click Apply and then OK.

Step 3: Delete Orphaned WSD Ports

1. Open Print Server Properties
   Press Windows key + R, type printmanagement.msc and press Enter. If that does not open, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Right-click any empty area and select Printer server properties.
2. Identify and delete WSD ports
   In Printer Server Properties, click the Ports tab. Look for ports that start with WSD-. Note the port names. Select each WSD port for your printer and click Delete Port. Confirm the deletion. Do not delete ports that belong to other printers.
3. Restart the Print Spooler service
   Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter. Locate Print Spooler. Right-click it and select Restart. Close Services.

Step 4: Verify Printer Status and Print a Test Page

1. Print a test page
   Go back to Printer properties for your printer. Click the General tab. Click Print Test Page. Wait for the page to print. A dialog appears asking if the page printed correctly. Click OK.
2. Check printer status in Settings
   Open Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners. Select your printer. The status should show Ready, and ink or toner levels should appear if the printer supports them.

If the Printer Still Loses Status After the Main Fix

Windows 11 Reverts to a WSD Port After a Driver Update

Some printer drivers install their own port monitor that overrides the Standard TCP/IP Port. To prevent this, disable the WSD port monitor in the registry. Open Registry Editor as Administrator. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors. Locate the subkey named WSD Port Monitor. Right-click it and select Export to back it up. Then delete the WSD Port Monitor key. Restart Windows. This stops Windows from creating WSD ports for any printer. After deletion, use only Standard TCP/IP Ports.

Printer Shows Offline After the Printer Is Powered Off

If you turn off the printer and then turn it back on, Windows may assign a new IP address via DHCP. The Standard TCP/IP Port still points to the old IP. Set a static IP address on the printer itself. Consult your printer manual for the exact steps. Common methods include using the printer’s web interface at its current IP address or the control panel under Network Settings > IPv4 Configuration > Static.

Multiple WSD Ports Reappear After Deletion

This happens when the printer is set to broadcast WSD announcements. Windows 11 automatically creates a new WSD port each time it receives an announcement. To stop this, disable WSD on the printer. Access the printer’s web interface. Look for Network > Advanced > Web Services or WSD. Disable the WSD function. Save the settings and restart the printer. After disabling WSD on the printer, delete the WSD ports again and confirm the Standard TCP/IP Port remains active.

WSD Port vs Standard TCP/IP Port: Behavior Comparison

Item	WSD Port	Standard TCP/IP Port
Port creation	Automatic when printer is discovered	Manual by user
Status data (ink levels, paper)	Full bi-directional status	Limited or none
Port stability after printer restart	May change or become orphaned	Stable if IP is static
Driver update behavior	Windows may create a new WSD port	Port remains unless manually changed
Recommended for	Home networks with simple printers	Business networks needing reliability

Use a Standard TCP/IP Port with a static IP address when your printer must remain online and report status without interruption. Use WSD only if you never change the printer’s network connection and do not need reliable status reporting.

You can now stop Windows 11 from switching your printer port and restore full status reporting. Start by setting a static IP on the printer, then add a Standard TCP/IP Port and delete the WSD ports. For long-term reliability, disable WSD on the printer and remove the WSD Port Monitor from the registry. Test the configuration by restarting both the printer and your PC. If the printer still loses status, verify that the IP address has not changed and that no other application is creating new WSD ports.