asked on

Windows cannot print due to current printer setup

Occasionally this comes up with a users attempts to print a MS word document. However when this happens I can verify the printer does actually work by opening notepad, pdf or event internet explorer and hit print while the error is still up and it prints just fine. Logging off the terminal server and back on fixes it. I have replaced the printer, the driver and reset the print spooler. No luck. I have changed print configurations to install it locally and using a print server. Doesn't seem to matter and very random.

Spike99

I think this error can indicate an issue with the default printer. Does this error still show up if another printer is selected as the default?

I would try the following:
--change the default printer to something else, then change it back to see if it fixes it
--if not, then remove the printer & driver and then re-install the printer & driver from scratch
--or, if that doesn't work, click on Start > Run, then run this command: sfc /scannow
(requires the Windows source files to run since it will replace any errant MS files with the original versions)

Check this article for details:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/329845

R W

ASKER

I have tried switch printers yes and back again but this didnt work. Some offices only have one printer so I can't switch. One office I actually replaced the physical printer itself. I have replaced drivers with different ones and resetting the print spooler, (deleting all things printing and reinstall)

scan sfc found nothing

C:\Users\administrator>sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

C:\Users\administrator>

rindi

Check the settings of the driver when trying to print. Maybe the printer tray only has A4 paper inside, and they are trying to some other format, or they are printing to a tray that doesn't exist or is empty.

Spike99

I would try running the print "FixIt" tool for printing from Microsoft. This TechNet blog post has links for both the "Full" and "LIte" versions. I would try the Lite one first: it resets the printing environment, but doesn't remove printers or drivers. If that doesn't work, try the Full version which will essentially reset the printing environment back to the original factory settings: it removes all drivers, printers, ports, print monitors, etc.

So, be prepared to re-install all printers & drivers if you try the Full tool:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/askperf/archive/2012/02/24/microsoft-fixit-for-printing.aspx

I have used the Lite version myself to correct a stubborn issue we've had on some of our PCs where we were unable to remove print drivers that were no longer in use. Windows was giving an error that the driver was still in use even though it wasn't. Running the lite tool fixed that for us.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

R W

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

R W

ASKER

All solutions provided here have not worked. Placing them on another server fixed the problem