My WiFi printer won't print when my computer is on a VPN. I have to turn off the VPN connection

[GSPrinterSetups]

I have a WiFi printer on my home network, and I can print with no problem from my Windows 10 Surface 2 Pro, until I turn on my Norton VPN (Virtual Private Network).  Then my computer tells me that the printer is offline.  Is there some driver or setup I need to do to make it work?

[ShlomiL]

Hi @GSPrinterSetups,

 I'll explain in basic context about VPN usage. The two most common types of VPN are SSL and IPSec.

Hosted VPN encrypts your connection and the data sent from your machine to the host. In this case, that is Symantec. What does that mean? It means that all of the traffic from your machine is being routed through Symantec's servers, not your local network. Your printer is connected to your local network.

In order to fully anonymize your identity local traffic is not allowed to be routed over the local network (typically by default) as it is less secure. That's doesn't say that it can't be enabled, but it depends on the type of VPN and the level of access you have to its configuration. Its doubtful that a hosted service allows this (by default) as it defeats the purpose of the service they are providing and could potentially reveal your identity, location or personal information.

I suggest checking with your VPN service provider if any such is supported and may allow local networking during the connection to communicate with the printer over the local network while connected to the VPN.

[AGO530]

I am having the same issue.  I replaced a brother wifi printer with an HP 9015 and the printer is listed as "offline" on Windows 10 when my Norton VPN is active.  I have been using the Norton VPN and the brother printer for the past few years without any issues, the only change to my current system was the addition of a HP printer.