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If you can browse the internet while your VPN is connected but cannot find or print to a nearby network printer, the VPN connection itself may be working normally. Internet access, access to devices on your local network, and automatic printer discovery are separate things. Check the VPN app’s local-network access control first; if the printer still does not appear, try connecting to its IP address and then check firewall, routing, or Windows sharing settings.
Why internet access can work while the printer is missing
A VPN can route internet traffic through its tunnel while handling traffic to nearby devices differently. Some VPN apps allow connections to local devices outside the tunnel; others provide a control that can restrict local access. The setting’s name, default, and availability depend on the VPN app and platform. Proton VPN, for example, describes its LAN setting as allowing connections to local devices outside the VPN tunnel. Proton VPN: How to allow LAN connections
Printer discovery is another separate issue. A computer may fail to find a printer automatically even if a direct connection to the printer’s current IP address is possible. TP-Link notes that discovery packets may not pass through a VPN tunnel and recommends trying the printer’s IP address. That test is diagnostic, not a guarantee that the printer is reachable. TP-Link: VPN Connected but Can’t Access or Discover LAN Devices
The exact behavior depends on the VPN client, operating system, protocol, routing, firewall, and network layout. A work VPN may also enforce rules that you should not change without permission from your organization.
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Start by identifying the printer and the failing connection
First determine whether the printer connects directly to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, or whether it is plugged into another computer and shared from there. Also check that the computer and printer are meant to be on the same local network, and whether printing works again when the VPN disconnects. If the problem occurs only with the VPN on, that points toward a local-access, routing, discovery, or policy issue—not necessarily an internet outage.
For a printer shared by a Windows PC, both computers generally need to be on the same local network. Microsoft recommends resolving access to the host PC or its name before troubleshooting the shared printer itself. Microsoft: Fix shared printer connection problems in Windows
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Allow local devices in the VPN app
Open the VPN app’s settings and look for a control with wording such as “Allow LAN connections,” “Access Local Devices with VPN,” or “Stay invisible on LAN.” Those labels are examples, not interchangeable controls: follow the instructions for your own provider and operating system.
Proton VPN says LAN connections are allowed by default in many of its apps. Norton documents a local-device access option, but its availability and prerequisites vary by platform. Consult the relevant provider instructions rather than assuming your app has the same setting or default:
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- Norton: Unable to print or scan when connected to Norton VPN
After changing a setting, follow the provider’s directions about reconnecting. Proton says a connection restart is needed for the documented changes on macOS, Android, and iOS/iPadOS. If you use a managed work VPN, check with IT before changing a control that could conflict with organizational policy.
If discovery fails, try the printer’s IP address
Automatic discovery and a direct connection test different paths. If the printer is not listed in the operating system’s add-printer tool, find its current IP address in the printer’s network menu or on a network configuration page. Then use the operating system’s option to add a printer by IP address. For Windows steps specific to NordVPN, see NordVPN: I can’t use my Wi-Fi printer while connected to NordVPN on Windows.
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If an IP-address connection works, the problem is likely with discovery or name resolution rather than basic reachability. If it fails too, repeating discovery is unlikely to help; check network boundaries, routing, firewall rules, and whether the printer is on the expected network.
Check firewall rules and network boundaries
A printer or host computer may see VPN traffic as coming from a different subnet than the local devices it normally accepts. In its VPN-server scenario, TP-Link identifies device firewall rules and access from the VPN-client subnet as issues to check. If you administer the destination device and your network policy permits it, allow only the necessary traffic from the appropriate VPN-client address or subnet. Do not leave a firewall disabled as a workaround. TP-Link: VPN Connected but Can’t Access or Discover LAN Devices
If you are connected to a remote network through a VPN rather than using a printer on your current home or office LAN, the route may not exist or the remote network may intentionally block access. A reachable printer IP, an allowed firewall rule, and a valid route are all needed; changing the printer’s discovery settings cannot create network access that the VPN or network owner has not allowed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.For a printer shared from a Windows computer
These checks apply when the printer is attached to a Windows host or shared by it; they are not a substitute for direct-IP setup on a network printer.
- Confirm the host PC is powered on, connected to the local network, and reachable from the computer that needs to print.
- On the host, confirm the printer is shared and note the correct computer and share names.
- For the appropriate trusted private network, check that Network discovery and File and printer sharing are enabled.
- Connect using the share path
\ComputerNamePrinterShareName, replacing the names with the host computer and printer share names. - If access still fails, check credentials, sharing configuration, drivers, and Windows security changes using Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance.
Microsoft’s full instructions are at Fix shared printer connection problems in Windows.
Consider alternatives only if your VPN policy allows them
If local access cannot be enabled or is blocked by policy, there are narrower workarounds, but they change which traffic uses the VPN or when the job is sent.
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- Application split tunneling: Some providers let selected apps bypass the VPN. Support and app selection vary; Norton and NordVPN document app split-tunneling options in their respective support materials. Use them only if permitted by the VPN provider and network owner.
- Queue the job for later: If policy allows and the job can wait, Brother suggests queuing it and printing after disconnecting from the VPN. Brother: I am unable to print to my network printer when I am connected to another network via VPN; What can I do?
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