How do you solve Windows Cannot connect to the printer check printer name and try again?

If you have successfully installed and shared a network printer on your network, but somehow when you attempt to connect to the shared printer on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer, the operation fails and Windows cannot connect to the shared printer, then this post is intended to provide the most suitable solutions to this issue.

Why I can’t connect to a shared printer?

There are quite a number of reasons why PC users may not be able to connect to a shared printer – the main reasons include File and Printer Sharing is turned off. Also, File and Printer Sharing is not allowed through the Windows Firewall on your computer and the computer to which the printer is attached. In this case, to fix the issue, enable File and Printer Sharing and as well make sure Network Discovery is enabled on your Windows 11/10 PC.

Windows couldn’t connect to the Printer

If your Windows couldn’t connect to the Printer, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to resolve the issue.

1. Temporarily enable SMB1.0
2. Fix Network Printer errors
3. Modify the registry
4. Connect printer to Network Device with a LAN cable

Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.

Before you try any of the solutions listed below, sometimes power-cycling your printer can resolve the issue. Turn off your printer and unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug your printer back in, and then turn the printer back on.

1] Temporarily enable SMB1.0

The first troubleshooting you can try to fix this issue on your Windows system is to temporarily enable SMB1.0. Once enabled, see if the issue is resolved. Once your work is done, remember to disable SMB1.0 as it could pose a security risk.

Read: How to reset Printer to default factory settings.

2] Fix Network Printer errors

A shared printer is basically a network printer – so you can follow the instructions in this our guide on how to fix Network Printer errors – Windows cannot connect to the printer and see if it helps to resolve the issue at hand. Otherwise, try the next solution.

FAQ: Help

By using this search engine, you can search one or more terms in the complete Pointdev FAQ.

• In order to look for one or more keywords, type them in the search field using space to separate them.

  ex : remote control

  This search will show you every FAQ containing the word "remote" OR "control".

• In order to look for a full sentence, use the quotes " " around your keywords
• ex : "remote control"

  This search will show you every FAQ containing the whole word "remote control".

Sometimes doing a simple thing such as adding a network shared printer can become a hell of a task when Windows cannot connect to the printer error is returned. The issue is usually seen with windows 7 based 64 bit systems, however it is not limited to it and many, around 30% of users running 32-bit have also reported this. The most common reason for this to occur is if the print spooler service is stucked, has a document pending in the que locked, a corruption or update and improper installation of the print-driver, more specifically the incorrect installation pushes the printer and the system to look for files in a subfolder different then windows\system32 subfolder. The printer may still work on the source system where it is physically connected to.

The error may have a different message then the one in the picture of which the most common is “Windows cannot connect to the printer 0x0000007e”

Solution 1:  Create A New Local Port

Click Start and search for “Devices and Printers“.

Open Devices and Printers and then Click the Add a printer on top of the window. Make sure you have Administration rights for this step on the computer.

Select “Add a local printer” by clicking on it. Select “Create a new port” and make sure there is “Local Port” selected for “Type of port:”

You will be asked for a port name in a new window. Type the printer’s address in the following format:
\\IP address or the Computer Name\Printer’s Name 

For example, the printer’s name is HP LaserJet P2050 Series PCL 6, and IP address of the computer it’s attached with 192.168.1.130 so the port name will be

\\192.168.1.130\HP LaserJet P2050 Series PCL 6

Now click OK and Next.

If you don’t know the IP Address of the computer where the printer is physically connected to and shared from, Hold Windows Key and Press R. Now type cmd in the run dialog and press enter. Type ipconfig in the black window and press enter. Look for IPv4 Address for the computer’s IP in the black window. Scroll up if you have to.

Select your printer model from the directory to install its drivers. Click Next. If you have a disk, insert the disk, click “Have Disk” and browse to the driver’s location in the disk. Click OK. Type in a name for your new printer. Click Next. Print a test page to check its connection. And click Finish. If it still won’t work, then run the hotfix from here before proceeding to Solution 2 and giving Solution 1 a try after applying the hotfix.

Solution 2: Copy mscms.dll manually

This mscms.dll is a color module which maybe failing to reach its destination folder. To copy it manually, press Windows Key + R. In the run dialog, type: Type system32 and press enter to open System32 folder.

Now type mscms.dll in the search bar. Copy the file exactly matching the name mscms.dll. (CTRL + C) to copy / (CTRL + V) to paste.

Now, if you have a 32 bit Windows installed, navigate to the following folder and paste the previously copied mscms.dll file in it:

C:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\

And, If you have a 64 bit Windows installed, navigate to the following folder and paste the previously copied file in it:

C:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\x64\3\

Now try connecting to the printer. If it doesn’t connect, re-add the printer and test.

Solution 3: If this is an HP Printer

On the source maching where the printer is shared from, open Registry Editor and browse to the following registry path.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers\PRINTERNAME\CopyFiles\BIDI

Locate the entry for

spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\hpcpn6de.dll

and delete it.  Then, re-try connecting.

Solution 4: Remove Unnecessary Printer Drivers

An installation of previous printer can prevent the printer spooler from adding new printers. To remove them, press Windows Key + R. Make sure you have Administration rights for this step on the computer. In the run window type printmanagement.msc and press enter.

Double click on “All Drivers”. Now delete any printer’s driver that is unnecessary or questionable. To delete, right click on the driver and click on delete in the pop up menu.

After removing the drivers for the printer in question, re-add it normally, and if it still doesn’t work then re-add it using Solution 1. If it still won’t work, move to Solution 3.

Solution 5: Delete Pre-existing Driver Files From Registry

An already existing but corrupted driver file can be stopping the windows from connecting to the printer.

Press Windows Key + R. Type regedit and press enter. Make sure you have Administration rights for this step on the computer. Registry editor’s new window will appear. In the left pane, navigate to the following location by double clicking on the folders:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print\Printers\*YOUR PRINTER’S NAME*\CopyFiles

Delete the “ICM” folder which is under the “CopyFiles” folder.

Now try connecting to the printer.

Solution 6: Run Microsoft’s Automated Printer Troubleshooter

Download the file from this link. Open the file with troubleshooting wizard.

Let the troubleshooter detect and fix the issues. Test it by clicking the Add new printer button. After the troubleshooting has finished, try re-adding the printer normally and if it still won’t work, then use Solution 1 again.

How do I get around error 0x0000011b when printing?

Can not connect to the printer 0x00000011b?

How do you fix Windows Cannot connect to the printer operation failed with error 0x00011b?

Why does my computer say Cannot connect to printer?