How to Fix Windows Cannot Connect to Printer

How to Fix Windows Cannot Connect to Printer – The Printer is a piece of hardware that functions to print documents and sometimes can also be used as a scanner. This device is very useful to support our daily activities, especially if you are working on something related to documents; such as correspondence, printing pictures, photos, posters, and so on. Apart from its function and role as a print medium, some users sometimes experience problems when connecting a PC with a printer.

Under certain conditions, there will be an error problem on the approaching printer; what often happens is the problem Windows cannot connect to the printer which is accompanied by an error description. Error problems when connecting PC/Laptop devices with printers occur for a reason.

However, in this context, the error description appears when the printer is connected to a network (Share Printer) or maybe using a number of printer brands on the same PC/Laptop. Further, you can see the following review.

Type of error description when it occurs

Every Windows user encounters different error messages and system responses. That is, the causes and how to overcome them are slightly different, depending on the condition you are experiencing. Generally, there are several types of error descriptions that appear when you want to connect a Windows PC/Laptop with a printer.

• Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer./ Operation Failed with Error 0x0000007e.
• Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer./ Operation Failed with Error 0x0000007a.
• Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer./ Operation Failed with Error 0x00000002.
• Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer./ Operation Failed with Error 0x0000139f.
• Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer./ Operation could not be completed Error 0x000006be.

Cause Windows Cannot Connect to Printer

Before proceeding to a deeper discussion, first, try to find out what is the cause of the appearance of the statement cannot connect to the printer. This problem often occurs when the mscms.dll file is not read by the system. Apart from that, there are other factors that can cause this error, here are some important points that you need to understand;

• The mscms.dll file is not detected – I personally don’t know the main function of this file. However, from the results of my research, some Windows users think that every printer needs an mscms.dll file so that the system can connect to the printer.
• Server address changed – This problem might occur when the printer server address has changed. So make sure again whether the network that is used as the server is still the same as before.
• Outdated/corrupted drivers – Basically the main function of drivers is to connect the Windows system with hardware/software. This means that if something happens to the driver, it cannot be denied that the printer will be affected.
• The WiFi provider is experiencing interference – And if the PC/Laptop that is used as the server experiences network problems, this causes the Client (other PC) to not be able to use the printer to print.
• Printer service is not running well – No one knows the exact reason why the service is not running optimally. Usually, by restarting the PC/Laptop, the laptop service becomes normal again.
• Printer not working – Although some people say that this error statement is not caused by a faulty printer, this is not necessarily true. To make sure you can try connecting the printer to another PC/laptop, and so on.

How to Fix Windows Cannot Connect to Printer

Regardless of what’s causing the cannot connect to the printer message, there are a number of things you can do to fix it; starting from making sure the printer service is running, copying the mscms.dll file, to running Windows Update. But before you do, please pay attention and try to do a simple check below:

• Make sure the printer is turned on
• Check if the printer address is correct
• Check if the device printer is installed

If you have confirmed that all three points have been carried out, but you still receive information when connecting your PC/Laptop to the printer, please refer to the following tips.

Note: Here I use the Windows 10 operating system as a media image and explanation. If you are a Windows 7/8 user, please adjust the method to be carried out.

1. Make sure the printer service is running

The first method you need to try is to make sure the printer service runs smoothly. This is done because users usually forget if the printer service is disabled for some reason. Here are the steps to reactivate it.

• First, press Windows + R to open the “Run” window.
• If so, type services.msc » press OK/Enter.
• Once the new view opens, look for Print Spooler in the list.
• If so, right-click the Service » select Properties.
• In the “Startup type” section, change it to Automatic » Apply » OK.
• Next, restart your PC/laptop to see the results.

However, if the Service condition is active, please try restarting the Service. Maybe this problem can be caused because the Service is not running optimally in the Windows background, hopefully, by reloading the Service it can return to normal.

Try to restart the Service:

• Reopen the Service view as in the previous method.
• Right-click Print Spooler » select Properties again.
• In the “Service Status” section, click Stop and wait a few seconds.
• If so, click Start again to activate.
• After that, try to connect your PC/laptop to the printer.

Supposedly with this method, the statement that cannot connect to the printer will not appear again. But if that doesn’t fix the problem, try checking the Internet Printing Client features below.

2. Check Internet Printing Client

Internet Printing Client is a feature provided by Windows to make it easier for users to print files using the internet network. If this feature is disabled, it is not surprising that the PC/Laptop device has problems connecting to the printer. Here’s how to activate it.

• First, open Windows Search in the Windows Start menu.
• Then type windows features » then click Turn Windows features on or off from the search results.
• If so, the Windows Features dialog will open.
• Then scroll the mouse down and click the (+) icon to expand Print and Document Services.
• If it is not checked, please check the “Internet Printing Client” section » click OK.
• After that restart the PC/Laptop before connecting the printer again.

3. Copy the mscms.dll file

The next tip is you can copy the mscms.dll file in the system Print folder directory. Why should this file be? Because basically, every printer device requires the mscms.dll file in a different subfolder other than the C:\Windows\System32 subfolder. Usually, this error occurs when the Windows system makes an error while searching for the file. Please follow the following instructions.

STEP 1: In the first step, please open Windows Explorer on the PC/Laptop Taskbar. Then access the directory C:\Windows\System32 folder. Find and copy the file named mscms.dll.

STEP 2: If it has been copied, open the spool folder in the “System32” folder. Then select the driver’s folder. At this stage, adjust the system architecture of your PC/laptop as below.

• 32-bit Windows users: Access the W32X86 folder » click folder 3
• 64-bit Windows users: Access the x86 folder » click folder 3

If it’s already open, paste the mscms.dll file in that folder. After that try restarting the computer and try to reconnect the printer you are using.

4. Re-add the device printer

Next re-add the printer to the Windows system. This is done because there is a possibility that the Printer device is having problems, whether there may be a crash or other problems. However, before you add it, please first remove the problematic device in the way below.

• First, open the Settings menu on the Windows Start menu.
• Then click Devices » and select the Printers & scanners tab.
• If so, see the panel on the right » click the problematic printer device from the list available » and click Remove device.
• Follow the instructions given.

After you delete the problematic printer device, the next option is you can re-add the printer so that it can be used again. There are two ways you can do to re-add the printer, but this depends on your situation; for example, as a client who wants to connect using a shared printer or vice versa, you use a printer directly.

If you as a Client

STEP 1: In the first step, open the Printers & scanners feature as in the previous step. Then click Add a printer or scanner, and wait a few seconds for the scanning process. If you don’t find it, click The printer that I want isn’t listed option.

STEP 2: Also make sure you use the same network as the Server / Provider. If so, click the “Select a shared printer by name” option » and enter the IP Address ( Server/Share Printer Provider ) and the printer name. Examples are as follows.

\\192.168.0.14\Canon MP 200 series

STEP 3: After you add it to the column provided, click Next. Wait a few moments for the process of connecting with the printer. If successful, it will display the statement “You’ve successfully added Canon MP 200 series on 192.168.0.14” » click Next » then Finish.

If directly connected with the Printer

STEP 1: In the first step, click Add a printer or scanner as in the previous step, and wait a few seconds for the scanning process. If you don’t find it, click The printer that I want isn’t listed option.

STEP 2: If so, click the option “Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings” » click Next. In the “Choose a printer port” section, select Use an existing Port » change to LPT1: (Printer Port) » then click Next.

STEP 3: In this step, you will add a device with a printer driver that you have. You can use the printer’s built-in Installation CD or download the manual through the official website. If so, click Have Disk » click Browse, then find a storage location » click OK » Next to continue the process.

STEP 4: Here you can change the printer name, click Next if you want to ignore it. Next, select the option Do not share the printer » click Next. If necessary, please click Print a test page to test it. And the last step click Finish.

Also Read: How To Fix Blue Screen on Windows 7

5. Reinstall the printer driver

The driver is a feature that connects the system with hardware/software so that it can be used according to its function. Maybe, this driver is the trigger for the error message that cannot connect to the printer. If this is indeed the case, the repair option that you can do is to uninstall the printer driver as below.

• First, press Windows + X on the keyboard » Device Manager.
• Then expand the Print queues section » right-click the printer driver » and select Uninstall devices.
• Next, follow the instructions given.
• If it is already installed, reinstall the printer driver as usual.
• If necessary, you can use the printer’s built-in CD to make things easier.

6. Run the printer troubleshoot feature

You can also take advantage of the troubleshooter feature when you have problems connecting to the printer. This feature is used to detect and fix all errors automatically on the system that result in not being able to use the printer.

• First, click the Start menu » select Settings » Update & Security.
• Then select the Troubleshoot tab » and click Additional troubleshooters.
• If so, please click Printer » Run the troubleshooter.
• Wait for the checking process for a while » follow the instructions given.

7. Uninstall problematic Windows updates

Even though Windows updates provide the latest features/services and even fix bugs automatically, that doesn’t mean this update will run smoothly. Given that in certain conditions, sometimes the update process can also be hampered by errors. So it is possible that errors will occur when running it, including the appearance of an error stating that cannot connect to the printer. If indeed you experience this condition, we recommend uninstalling the update in the following way.

• First, please click the Start menu icon » select Settings » Update & Security.
• If so, click View update history » Uninstall updates.
• After that select the update you want to remove, then click Uninstall.

Note: When you find an update that cannot be uninstalled, it means that the update is mandatory and cannot be uninstalled.

Also Read: How to Fix Windows Automatic Repair (on Windows 11, 10, 8)

After uninstalling the update, try running Windows Update again. But before doing so, make sure your internet connection is not experiencing problems and your Local Disk C is not full (at least 20% of the total storage capacity is still left). This is done to avoid the Windows Update problem that crashes after an update. If so, please follow the steps below.

Run Windows Update:

• First, open the Settings menu » go to the Update & Security » Windows Update feature.
• Then click Check for updates to see the latest Windows update version.
• If available, you can update.
• After the update, you can restart your laptop/computer.

8. Visit the Service

If all the methods above don’t work at all, I suggest coming to a service center to get better treatment. Given that there is a possibility if this problem occurs in the printer, either because of damage to one component or it may have expired. To find out the condition of your printer requires experts in the related field. This means that if you do not have an understanding of computer equipment, especially printers, it would be better if you ask someone who is more skilled.

Conclusion

There are many factors that cause a PC/laptop to not be able to connect to the printer. Say if you use the Share Printer service, then first check the IP Address / PC Name with the Server (Administrator). As for those of you who use a printer with a cable, make sure the printer driver/device has been installed and the printer service is running normally. Hopefully, by trying some of the repair tips above, the Windows cannot connect to the Printer problem can be resolved properly and the printer can run normally again.

If you have any questions or opinions that you need to share, please write them in the comments column below. Thank you and good luck!

What is the main cause of the PC/laptop not connecting to the printer?

This problem usually occurs when the printer service is not running properly, or maybe there is a problem with the driver.

What causes the application to experience not responding?

Often times excessive multitasking activity without looking at the PC/laptop resources causes the application to not function optimally.

What are alternative ways to speed up an internet connection?

The trick is to minimize the devices connected to the network so that bandwidth is not shared.