Windows cannot print due to a problem with the current printer setup
This message appears when a program can't get valid details for your default printer. Fix the default printer, stale entries and the driver.
What this error means
Programs show this message when they ask Windows for details of the current printer, usually the default one, and get nothing usable back. It tends to appear when you open Print or Page Setup, or as soon as a program starts. The printer hardware is rarely at fault. More often the default printer has been removed or renamed, points to a network printer that no longer exists, or has a damaged entry in your Windows user profile.
Common causes
- No default printer is set, or the default is a printer that has been removed
- An old network printer connection that can no longer be reached
- A faulty or partly installed printer driver
- Damaged printer entries in your user profile's registry settings
- The Print Spooler isn't running properly
How to fix it
Start with the first fix. They’re ordered from safest and quickest to most involved.
Fixes for Windows
0 of 7 steps tried
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Set a working default printer
On Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, switch off Let Windows manage my default printer, then select a printer that works and choose Set as default. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, clear the same checkbox, select the printer and choose Manage > Set as default. Then reopen the program.
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Test with Microsoft Print to PDF
Set Microsoft Print to PDF as the default printer and open the program again. If the message disappears, the problem lies with your usual printer's entry or driver, so reinstall that printer. If the message stays even with the PDF printer as default, the problem is more likely in your user profile or the program itself.
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Remove printers you no longer use
In Printers & scanners, remove printers you no longer have, especially network printers from an old office, a previous router or another computer. Programs can trip over a printer that's still listed but can't be reached. Restart the PC afterwards.
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Restart the Print Spooler
Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for cmd, right-click it and choose Run as administrator) and run the command below. If the spooler isn't running at all, programs can't read any printer details.
net stop spooler && net start spooler -
Reinstall the printer and its driver
Remove the printer, then press Win + R, run
printui /s /t2, select its driver and choose Remove > Remove driver and driver package. Restart, then add the printer again with the current driver from the manufacturer's official support site or Windows Update, and set it as default. -
Check from another user account
Sign in with another account on the same PC, or create a temporary one in Settings > Accounts > Other users (Windows 10: Family & other users), add the printer there and try the same program. If it works in the other account, the problem is in your own profile's printer settings, which the next step addresses.
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Clear stale printer entries in your profile (Advanced)
Editing the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems, so back it up first. Press Win + R, type
regedit, go toHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion, right-click that key and choose Export to save a copy. Under it, the Devices and PrinterPorts keys list your printers by name; delete only the values for printers you no longer have. Old network connections are listed as subkeys underHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Printers\Connections; export that key too before deleting any you don't recognize as current. Restart, then add your printer again.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Still stuck? Our printer assistant can walk you through it by live chat, free. . Or the The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Does this message mean my printer is broken?
No. It means a program couldn't get sensible details about the printer from Windows. Once the default printer and its entry are sorted out, printing works normally.
It only happens in one program. What should I check?
Some programs remember their own printer choice. Open that program's print dialog and pick a working printer, check its page setup, and install any updates or run a repair for that program.