Can't Print When VPN is Active

[bjm]

@RandySea2

I don’t have the time right now to try to get through levels of beginner support. I have already seen much more expert advice in this forum, even though the problem hasn’t been solved.

My immediate workaround: I have just turned off Norton VPN and substituted Encrypt.me VPN. I have a subscription because I use it on my iPhones. It’s reliable and there’s no problem printing. On my other Windows 11 laptop, I use NordVPN, also no problem

Thanks for sharing your progress.

@RandySea2

I have just turned off Norton VPN

I’m unsure what Norton plan you’re running.
Just for my benefit…you turned off Norton 360 VPN or you turned off Norton VPN Standard/Plus/Ultimate?
Thanks

Edit: just remembered here

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AI Mode
When your VPN is active, you can’t print because the VPN encrypts and reroutes all your internet traffic through a secure tunnel, isolating your device from the local network your printer is on. Since your computer is no longer communicating directly with other devices on your home network, it cannot find or send print jobs to the printer.

Many VPN applications include features that allow local network access while the VPN is active. This is the most secure method, as it doesn’t require disabling your VPN.

• Enable LAN Access: Look in your VPN settings for an option such as “Allow access to local network devices” or “Enable LAN access”. For NordVPN, this is called “Stay invisible on LAN” and must be turned off.
• Use Split Tunneling: If your VPN offers split tunneling, you can specify that only certain apps (like your web browser) use the VPN tunnel while other apps (like your printer’s software) connect directly to your local network.
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  Setting up split tunneling allows you to maintain your VPN’s secure connection for general internet traffic while enabling direct access to your local network for your printer. Most modern VPN clients offer this feature in one of two ways: either by excluding specific applications or by excluding specific IP addresses or IP ranges.

Method 1: Excluding the printer’s IP address
This approach is highly reliable and is available in most major VPN clients that support split tunneling. It works by telling the VPN to ignore all traffic destined for your printer’s IP address.

1. Find your printer’s IP address:

• Windows: Disconnect your VPN. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Right-click your printer, choose Properties, and look under the Ports or Web Services tab.
• Mac: Disconnect your VPN. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners. Select your printer and click Options & Supplies > General. The IP address should be listed.
• Printer Menu: Many printers can print a “Network Configuration Page” from their on-device menu, which will list its IP address.

2. Add the IP address to your VPN client’s split tunnel settings:

• NordVPN (Windows):
  • Open the NordVPN app and click the Settings cogwheel icon.
  • Navigate to Split tunneling.
  • Turn the feature on and then add your printer’s IP address to the “Excluded IP addresses” list.
• Proton VPN:
  • Open the app and go to Settings > Features > Split tunneling.
  • Turn on split tunneling in Standard mode to exclude specific IP addresses from the VPN.
  • Add your printer’s IP address to the “Excluded IP addresses” list.
• ExpressVPN:
  • Open the app and go to Options > Split Tunneling.
  • Enable split tunneling and manage your applications. Use the option to add or remove IP addresses for exclusion.
  • Note: ExpressVPN’s support for split tunneling varies by operating system, with macOS 11 and later no longer supporting the feature.
• Surfshark (Bypasser):
  • Open the app and go to Settings > VPN Settings > Bypasser.
  • Turn the feature on and select Add websites or IP addresses.
  • Add your printer’s IP address to bypass the VPN.

Method 2: Excluding the printer software application
This method is less effective for network printers, as it doesn’t solve the core issue of a device being isolated from the local network. However, it can work if your printer uses a local software or driver that you can add as an exclusion.

1. Find the printer software’s executable file (.exe on Windows):

• The file is often located in a directory such as C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86).
• You can also right-click the shortcut to your printer’s management utility and select “Open file location.”

2. Add the software to your VPN client’s split tunnel settings:

• NordVPN (Windows): In the Split tunneling settings, click Add apps and find your printer’s software executable in the list.
• Proton VPN: In the Split tunneling settings, you can add your printer’s software to the “Excluded apps” list.
• ExpressVPN: Use the split tunneling menu to exclude the application from the VPN tunnel.

If you are still unable to print after configuring split tunneling, try these additional steps:

• Add the printer manually by its IP address: After you have correctly configured split tunneling in your VPN client, add the printer to your computer again, but this time use its IP address instead of letting the computer search for it. This can bypass any name-resolution issues caused by the VPN.
• Temporarily disable the VPN: As a final troubleshooting step, disconnect your VPN, send the print job, and then reconnect once the job is in the printer’s queue.

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In a head-to-head comparison, the standalone Norton VPN plans are better than the VPN feature included in Norton 360. The key difference is the number of features and options available, as the standalone plans offer more advanced capabilities for users who prioritize privacy and connection control.

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Hello @RandySea2
fwiw ~ another attempt at shorter and simpler here