How to Fix “Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer” Error

Sep 14, 2025

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One of the most common issues Windows users face is the “Windows cannot connect to the printer” error when trying to add or use a printer. This error can occur on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems and can stop you from printing documents entirely. In this guide, we’ll explain the causes and provide step-by-step solutions.

🔎 Why This Error Happens

Incorrect Printer Drivers – Outdated or incompatible drivers prevent Windows from communicating with the printer.
Print Spooler Problems – The Windows Print Spooler service may be stuck or corrupted.
Network/Shared Printer Issues – Shared printers may have permission or connectivity issues.
Registry or Policy Conflicts – Incorrect settings or restrictions may block the printer connection.
Firewall/Antivirus Interference – Security software sometimes blocks network printers.

✅ How to Fix “Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer” Error

1. Restart Your Printer and PC

Power off the printer and your computer.
Turn them back on after 30 seconds.
Try reconnecting.

2. Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners.
Click your printer → Manage → Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the on-screen instructions to automatically detect and fix issues.

3. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Open Device Manager → Printers.
Right-click your printer → Update driver.
Or go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers.
If still not working, uninstall the printer completely and reinstall it.

4. Restart the Print Spooler Service

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
Find Print Spooler, right-click → Restart.
If problems persist, right-click Print Spooler → Properties, set Startup type to Automatic.

5. Add Printer Manually Using IP Address

Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners → Add a printer or scanner.
If it doesn’t find your printer, click The printer that I want isn’t listed.
Choose Add a printer using TCP/IP address or hostname and follow prompts.

6. Check Network & Firewall

Ensure the printer and your PC are on the same network.
Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus to see if it’s blocking the connection.

7. Edit Windows Registry (Advanced Users)

If you’re adding a shared printer and getting an error like 0x0000011b, you may need to adjust a registry key:

Press Windows + R, type regedit.
Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print
Right-click in the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) named RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled.
Set value to 0.
Restart your PC.

(Backup your registry first!)

📝 Quick Fix Table

Step	Action	Purpose
1	Restart printer & PC	Clear temporary glitches
2	Windows Troubleshooter	Auto-detect & fix issues
3	Update/Reinstall drivers	Resolve driver conflicts
4	Restart Print Spooler	Reset printing system
5	Add printer via IP	Direct connection
6	Check Firewall/Network	Eliminate blocks
7	Edit Registry (Advanced)	Fix 0x0000011b & other errors

❓ FAQs

Q1. Why does Windows say it can’t connect to my printer?
Usually due to driver, spooler, or network permission issues.

Q2. Will reinstalling the printer delete my documents?
No. It only removes the printer entry, not your files.

Q3. How do I fix error code 0x0000011b?
Use the registry tweak above or update your Windows build; Microsoft patched this in newer updates.

Q4. Can antivirus block printers?
Yes. Temporarily disable your antivirus to test.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This guide provides general steps to fix the “Windows cannot connect to the printer” error. Some solutions involve system changes — proceed carefully and back up your system or registry first.