How to Fix ‘Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer’ Error

The error message “Windows cannot connect to the printer” can be a roadblock for users trying to print over a network or using shared printers. Whether you’re dealing with the infamous 0x0000011b issue or a basic connection failure, there are reliable methods to resolve this.

What Causes This Printer Connection Error?

• Recent Windows security updates disrupting print services
• Corrupt or incompatible printer drivers
• Network configuration issues or mismatched protocols
• Group Policy restrictions or missing registry permissions

1. Run the Built-in Windows Printer Troubleshooter

This is the fastest way to catch common issues automatically:

1. Go to Settings > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Run the Printer troubleshooter.
3. Follow any suggested fixes and restart your system.

2. Remove and Reinstall Printer Drivers

Corrupted drivers often block printer connections. Reinstall clean drivers by following these steps:

1. Press Win + R, type printmanagement.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to Print Servers > Drivers.
3. Right-click on the problematic driver and select Remove Driver Package.
4. Reinstall the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s site.

3. Fix the 0x0000011b Error via Registry Tweak

After certain updates, Windows may block network printers with error 0x0000011b. Fix it by editing the registry:

Note: Always back up the registry before making changes.

1. Open regedit via Run command.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print
3. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) named RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled
4. Set its value to 0
5. Restart the system and reattempt the connection.

4. Map the Printer Using TCP/IP Port

If network discovery fails, adding the printer manually can help:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2. Click Add a printer > Select The printer I want isn’t listed.
3. Choose Add a printer using TCP/IP address or hostname.
4. Enter the IP address of the printer and proceed with installation.

5. Restart Print Spooler and Dependencies

Sometimes the Print Spooler service gets stuck or crashes:

1. Open services.msc from the Run dialog.
2. Find Print Spooler > Right-click > Restart.
3. Set Startup Type to Automatic.

6. Uninstall Faulty Windows Updates

Some updates are known to cause printer issues, particularly those after 2021:

• Navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Update History
• Click on Uninstall updates
• Remove any recently installed security updates like KB5005565

7. Group Policy Adjustment for Point and Print

For domain-connected systems, policy misconfigurations can block printers:

1. Open gpedit.msc
2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers
3. Edit Point and Print Restrictions and disable warnings and elevation prompts

Prevent Printer Errors in the Future

• Keep printer firmware and Windows updates current
• Use static IPs for network printers
• Regularly clean old or unused drivers
• Test new updates in controlled environments before mass deployment

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