Solved Why is there another (Copy 1) of my printer?

22H2, Build 22621.819

For some time now I have seen a 'Copy 1' of my USB cable connected 'Epson XP-3100 Series' printer. The printer is WiFi enabled and is an All-in-One with scanner.

My default printer is 'Epson XP-3100 Series' and I am not aware of installing it a second time, which might be an explanation as to why Windows created another printer device named 'Epson XP-3100 Series (Copy 1)'. See photo.

Question 1 - Does anyone know how (Copy 1) version might have been created?
Question 2 - Is it safe to 'Remove device' for this (Copy 1) printer?

I've seen the same but usually when having to reinstall a printer or adding features such as with MFP and the scanner, etc. Also a problem can exist when 2 or more connections are available so if a cable connection is being used I go into the printer's Control Panel to disable Wireless, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth followed by deleting the second one. But be sure to check the functions of the one left. In difficult situations it can be expedient to uninstall all printers and their software and start over.

wiganken said:

Question 1 - Does anyone know how (Copy 1) version might have been created?

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I've been suffering with this issue for quite a while now.
I have an Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3720 (just a coincidence being an Epson device?) on a USB connection only. I've always found that it usually occurs after applying the latest Windows 11 Cummulative Update, pointing to some issue here. However, it did NOT happen when I updated to build .819.

wiganken said:

Question 2 - Is it safe to 'Remove device' for this (Copy 1) printer?

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I've found that the only sure way to remove 'Copy 1' is to uninstall ALL versions of this printer type & re-install from your Epson disc.

Thank you. My WiFi & WiFI Direct connected devices are all using the 'Epson XP-3100 Series' printer. None are using the 'Epson XP-3100 Series (Copy 1)' printer so I think it will be safe to 'Remove device'. It's just a puzzle as to how it got there.

I can't answer, but I got that with Windows 10, also.

Seems to be harmless.

All three of my computers have the same thing, a copy 1 and also a ws as far as I can remember it has been like that for years so I reckon, best left alone if all is working well

Thank you all.

I have removed it and restarted my computer and it's gone now. I have printed a test document okay and no problems as yet.

I should have said before that the (Copy 1) printer device only appeared on my USB connected desktop PC. It has never appeared on my other WiFi connected device printer lists.

If I encounter problems or it reappears I'll be back to report on it.

wiganken said:

Thank you all.

I have removed it and restarted my computer and it's gone now. I have printed a test document okay and no problems as yet.

I should have said before that the (Copy 1) printer device only appeared on my USB connected desktop PC. It has never appeared on my other WiFi connected device printer lists.

If I encounter problems or it reappears I'll be back to report on it.

View attachment 45293

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I expect it will be back in a few days

I'll check daily. Watch this space.

I found that I had installed ‘Printer Driver v3.01.02’ on 12th July 2022 and then on 23rd August 2022 I had updated the printer firmware so maybe one of these processes created a backup copy. Not saying that as a fact. Just wondering if it is a possibility.

I see this & the Copy 1 is for the Wi-Fi printing option. I can print over Wi-Fi from my phone.

I have seen that when the printer is connected to a different USB port. If you check the printer properties the original instance should be connected to port USB1 and the Copy1 to USB2. Of course only one can print at any time, not both.

@Bastet - As I said in my post #4 "My WiFi & WiFI Direct connected devices are all using the 'Epson XP-3100 Series' printer." so 'Copy 1' printer is not created by using WiFi connected devices.

@spapakons - I tried switching the printer cable to another USB port on my computer and I still see only the 'Epson XP-3100 Series' printer so I don't think it is that that creates a 'Copy 1' printer.

The 'Epson XP-3100 Series (Copy 1)' printer has still not reappeared after removing it. Fingers crossed.

Has it ever been connected via WiFi? My Canon printer is connected via USB cable but also has the option for wireless under the Canon settings app.
Do you have any other device from which you can files to the printer wirelessly?

Wireless printers usually appear with a slightly different description from the USB instance, not as Copy1 of it. Copy1 usually appears when you connect the printer on a different USB port but USB1 cannot be assigned for some reason and it's assigned to USB2 hence the Copy1 description to differentiate between the two.

I discovered that removing copy 1 removed the ability to wirelessly print from my phone. Reinstalling the printer via USB automatically added the previously added Wi-Fi settings which added copy 1 & I could print from my phone again.
I’ve always used the same USB port for my printer.

If Copy1 can print, you can remove the original instance and then remove the Copy1 from the description of the latter. This way you can also print wirelessly.

I require the printer wired to update it.

@Bastet - RE your question "Has it ever been connected via WiFi?" - No it hasn't but the PC did have WiFi switched ON until about 10 days ago when I decided I don't need it ON due to USB cable connection and I switched WiFI OFF.

Re your other question "Do you have any other device from which you can files to the printer wirelessly?" - I have a laptop and two smartphones they send prints to the 'Epson XP-3100 Series' printer, not the 'Epson XP-3100 Series (Copy 1)' printer.

Thanks. Hopefully removing the copy 1 doesn’t affect printing.

@Bastet
Update: -
'Copy 1' hasn't returned (yet) and printing/scanning seem unaffected. If it does come back then not a problem. Just an annoyance. I suspect it happens when updating the software/firmware.

I'll stop watching this thread for now but if 'Copy 1' reappears I'll report back.