Cannot connect to any shared printers from some Windows 10 workstations

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DarrellGraham-6073 asked Oct 29, '20 AkhileshPatel-9933 commented Apr 26, '22

Cannot connect to any shared printers from some Windows 10 workstations

Hello,

We have a Windows domain with about 3000 endpoints, all running Windows 10 version 1909. One week ago users started to report that they cannot print to any device shared from any print server. They also cannot install any new printers from any print server regardless of the printer manufacturer or model. If a tech logs into the computer under a different profile, they also cannot install any printers from any print server. However, if we assign the affected end user to a new computer they can install printers just fine. The problem does not follow the user. Oddly this doesn't seem to affect everyone at the same time. We are getting 2-10 callers per day.

Most users are working just fine with no issues. They can install and use printers from both print servers. We have two, one running Server 2016 and another running Server 2019. The issue seems to be isolated to these workstations. The issue appeared exactly 7 days ago, but no updates, security patches or new software were installed immediately prior to the start of the problem. I have reviewed change logs and no changes were made to the network or domain either.

So far the only solution we have found is to reinstall the operating system. There are no log files for these events on either the client or the print server. We tried removing the computer form the domain and rejoining and removing all printers and drivers. Wireshark doesn't show any issues with communication to the print server. We can clearly see the client send an OpenPrinterEx request, it gets the expected response from the server, and then the client inexplicably sends a ClosePrinter Request. The client and the server repeat this several times before it fails.

The errors we receive pop-up almost instantaneously.
When browsing to the print server by using the UNC path \\PrintServer, then right-click-> Connect on the desired printer we get the error: Windows couldn't connect to the printer. Check the printer name and try again. If this is a network printer, make sure the printer is turned on, and that the printer address is correct.

When attempting to install by opening Printers and scanners and selecting "Add a printer or scanner", we get the error: We can't install this printer right now. Try again later or contact your network administrator for help. The Error #14 doesn't seem to be valid error that I can find?

We are baffled and would appreciate any assistance.

Thank you

windows-server-print

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Sanjay-3516 · Oct 30, 2021 at 01:48 PM

Nothing is working for me though. Network Printer is visible to Add Printer. But it just would not connect to it. All sharing options are as it is.

System Update history informs both KB5005565 and KB5006670 have been successfully installed. But I can't see them anywhere when I go to Uninstall panel.

Hope anyone can help please.

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AndyCritcher-6973 Sanjay-3516 · Nov 04, 2021 at 08:51 AM

Hello,

I have, like many below, just spent three days uninstalling and reinstalling my printers trying to fixing this issue. For three days I have received other peoples email just so that they can print their attachments etc. I finally found this email trail stating that KB5006670 causes the issue. I have uninstalled this from my machine and 'hey-presto' my printers work! But the story does not end there - I have automatic updates on to keep my machine up-to-date and secure (also to keep IT happy) and last night my machine and others rebooted with an automatic update and the patch is back and we can no longer print! So... I have just started the uninstalling on our machines and get a cup of coffee.

Please - can someone at Microsoft please, please fix this?

Regards

Andy

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JohnPaoloManlangit-5061 Sanjay-3516 · Dec 03, 2021 at 01:57 AM

Same for me , Still not working

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NIPUNSHETH-7450 · Dec 06, 2021 at 12:33 PM

Please install windows update KB5007253. It will resolve all issues.
I had a similar problem. struggled for 2 months. Today after installing the above update from the offline installer / Microsoft update catalog, my issue is resolved.
Visit https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5007253 and download update suitable to your system.

Best regards

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AkhileshPatel-9933 · Apr 26 at 01:16 PM

HI,

The Best Resolution is change the Hostname of System and try it the problem will get resolved. If issue is still there just change the Workgroup name from WORKGROUP to W and proceed .

Above steps will resolve your Issue's.

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Answer 1 · 2020-11-25T02:05:57.437Z

DarrellGraham-6073 answered Nov 25, '20 ShahzaibKhan-8690 commented Feb 16, '22

We finally figured this out. There was an update (KB4052623) that fixed the inability to add printers. Impacted machines must have missed previous version updates, for whatever reason and were failing with the below error on the MpPrintFlt.dll in System32. Updating Defender to the latest platform version (4.18.2010.7) solved the issue.

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JohnPaoloManlangit-5061 · Dec 03, 2021 at 01:42 AM

This is the last method I've tried after all the uninstalling and installing of Specific patch,cumulative,security or whatsoever update is needed to make this printer sharing on network to be connected to the server host where the printer is installed and been shared. But its sad to say that I still dealing with it until now since last October first week. I'm hoping to have answers here, been doing this to a mere 40 units or so.

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ShahzaibKhan-8690 · Feb 16 at 07:09 AM

How come it is related to windows defender? I have the same problem in my environment but only with laser printer and that too with random machines.

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Answer 2 · 2020-10-30T09:34:43.977Z

JennyYan-MSFT answered Oct 30, '20 DarrellGraham-6073 commented Nov 5, '20

Hi,

1.Please kindly confirm the behavior when users print to any device shared from any print server on the problematic workstations.

For example, whether or not they could choose the printer but get some error messages when click start printing.

2.Please check the printers under device of problematic workstations(better to share the screenshot) if they were greyed out or other behaviors.

3.If there is no event logs recorded the issue, you may consider to capture and compare the procmon on working and non-working clients.

Thanks,
Jenny

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DarrellGraham-6073 · Nov 05, 2020 at 02:26 AM

Hello Jenny,

1.Please kindly confirm the behavior when users print to any device shared from any print server on the problematic workstations.
For example, whether or not they could choose the printer but get some error messages when click start printing.

I believe the print job just goes into the local queue and sits there.

2.Please check the printers under device of problematic workstations(better to share the screenshot) if they were greyed out or other behaviors.

The printers show "Unable to Connect" and are greyed out for end users impacted by this issue.

3.If there is no event logs recorded the issue, you may consider to capture and compare the procmon on working and non-working clients.

There is so much data in ProcMon that without some clue what I am looking for I don't think i am skilled enough to narrow it down.

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Answer 3 · 2020-11-06T08:45:42.72Z

JennyYan-MSFT answered Nov 6, '20

Thanks for the update but still looking for more details.
1.Can you run below command on both working and non-working computers and then check if there is difference between group policies?
gpresult /h c:\rds.html

2.Can you conduct below powershell command on both working and non-working computers then check if they are install the same update patches?
$QFE = Get-hotfix -computername $server | select-object -property Description,HotFixID,InstalledBy,InstalledOn | out-file c:\windows\temp\$server.txt
change$server to hostname

3.If we logon with local account, will the issue persist?

4.Kindly turn off firewall on the problematic computer and verify if issue will re-occur?

5.Have you tried to use IP address to add the printer?

Looking forward to your update.

Best Regards,
Jenny

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Answer 4 · 2021-09-18T17:43:19.777Z

DrAriesSingularity-1959 answered Sep 18, '21 EricTweedy-5484 commented Oct 16, '21

Been trying to figure that one out for the last 3-4 weeks...........

Yesterday I added the user account of each PC in the network that needed to access the shared printer to the PC where the "shared printer" is actually USB-ed and BOOM - Connect.

Do it mean what I think it means??!! I've spent more hours, days and weeks of my life that I will never get back trying to figure out why Microsoft updated something that clobbered a printer.

FYI -- I've pretty much switched to Brother printers and quit using HP after 20+ years. HP has some real problems that they don't tell the user about. Brother printers tend to just install and work.

Try the adding a user account the the shared printer PC and let me know the results.

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EricTweedy-5484 · Oct 16, 2021 at 06:31 PM

"Yesterday I added the user account of each PC in the network that needed to access the shared printer to the PC where the "shared printer" is actually USB-ed and BOOM - Connect."
"Try the adding a user account the the shared printer PC and let me know the results."

I'm sorry, but for dummies, what does this mean? We have a two computer home network. The Win10 computer only has one user on it called "Owner" that is not pw protected. What do I add to the Win7 computer and how?

Sorry to be a bother. Thanks.

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EricTweedy-5484 · Oct 16, 2021 at 10:07 PM

Please ignore my comment/question. My issue was caused by KB5006670. Uninstalling this update on the Win10 machine eliminated the problem for me.

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Answer 5 · 2021-10-21T14:31:40.47Z

DonAbernathy-3997 answered Oct 21, '21

I am still having this issue, replaced all existing windows 7 computers with new clean / updated windows 10 computes, NONE of the windows 10 computer can connect to the dymo label maker 450 shared on workstation "A" all windows 10 computers get the can not connect to printer error seen above. THe SEVER CAN connect and print to it.. if I take a windows 7 laptop onto the network it can connect and print, I have already looked at the workgroup settings making sure they are set to "Private" on all pcs, i have checked the firewalls to make sure file an print sharing are enabled, ( as well as all print options in the firewalls) i have tired all reg edits found on the internet, I have disabled tcp IP v 6 as suggested in some fixes....

I hear that this is and issue caused by an update, and then fixed by another.. all computers have the lasted updates and still cant connect to shared network printers...

any ideas?

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Answer 6 · 2021-10-21T23:47:17.337Z

EricTweedy-5484 answered Oct 21, '21 DonAbernathy-3997 commented Nov 11, '21

Try uninstalling KB5006670 on the Win10 boxes

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DonAbernathy-3997 · Oct 22, 2021 at 02:42 PM

i looked that update is not installed..

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MikeAu-4973 · Oct 29, 2021 at 11:17 AM

Thank you. I've been pulling my hair out with this issue for the last two weeks.
Win 10 was telling allowing me to select the PC and the Printer, but just would not install it.
Uninstalled this KB and BANG! Installed and working with no issues.
Thank you again.

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Answer 7 · 2021-10-27T07:44:01.713Z

ChristopherPhillips-2078 answered Oct 27, '21 ankosoftvn commented Nov 2, '21

uninstalling KB5006670 on the Win10 boxes
Yes this fixed the problem. Took me 4 days to get this sorted.

Also shown and discussed in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSL73_euJvg

I should add though that I wasn't able to navigate the network share I had to type the path\printer name
\\TomsMachine\TomsPrinter

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ankosoftvn · Oct 28, 2021 at 01:45 AM

wonderful
I did it your way
and added the printer
Thank you so much

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DonAbernathy-3997 ankosoftvn · Oct 29, 2021 at 01:58 PM

didn't work for me.. still have 3 pc's that cant print.

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ankosoftvn DonAbernathy-3997 · Nov 02, 2021 at 02:51 AM

I think you're up to work on all the machines. Computers that directly install printers and connected machines via LAN

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Answer 8 · 2021-10-30T13:49:15.267Z

Sanjay-3516 answered Oct 30, '21 ankosoftvn commented Nov 2, '21

Nothing is working for me though. Network Printer is visible to Add Printer. But it just would not connect to it. All sharing options are as it is.

System Update history informs both KB5005565 and KB5006670 have been successfully installed. But I can't see them anywhere when I go to Uninstall panel.

Hope anyone can help please.

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ankosoftvn · Nov 02, 2021 at 02:52 AM

I think you see this comment by https://docs.microsoft.com/answers/users/9590017/christopherphillips-2078.html
uninstalling KB5006670 on the Win10 boxes
Yes this fixed the problem. Took me 4 days to get this sorted.

Also shown and discussed in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSL73_euJvg

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Answer 9 · 2021-10-30T18:43:46.553Z

EricTweedy-5484 answered Oct 30, '21 ankosoftvn commented Nov 2, '21

I'm not sure where you are looking, but I go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Installed Updates. Click on the update you want to remove, then click on Uninstall on the header bar just to the right of the word "Organize."

Bear in mind that KB5006670 is supposed to fix security gaps, so there is some risk to removing it. I read somewhere that Microsoft is supposed to be working on a fix to the unintended side effects of this KB. If someone knows the whole story on this, it would be helpful to share it.

Also bear in mind that if you have set up Windows Update to download and install updates automatically, Windows is going to put this update right back in place on the next update (at least I believe that is what may happen). If you are configured this way, you might want to examine your Windows Update parameters.

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ankosoftvn · Nov 02, 2021 at 02:54 AM

I think that up to now, if you haven't removed that KB update, you still can't connect. I also hope that Microsoft will fix this problem.

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Answer 10 · 2021-11-01T08:30:58.677Z

Sanjay-3516 answered Nov 1, '21 ankosoftvn commented Nov 2, '21

Thanks Eric, I am looking for these updates in 'Installed Updates' only as you suggested but don't see them there. Whereas, Settings>Update & Security>View Update History still lists them as installed.

However, my basic concern is shared printer which could not be connected from network PCs within my office. When I try to 'Add Printer', it is visible but could not be installed. Failure message informs 'Windows couldn't connect to the printer' without any error code.

Would welcome any help that lets me resume printing from network PCs. See screenshots below:
1- Untitled-1 - Shows old printer installation displaying device ready/green but would not connect to print.
2- Untitled-2 - Shows Add Printer result

untitled-2.jpg (71.0 KiB)

untitled-1.jpg (66.7 KiB)

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ankosoftvn · Nov 02, 2021 at 02:55 AM

I think you see this comment by https://docs.microsoft.com/answers/users/9590017/christopherphillips-2078.html
uninstalling KB5006670 on the Win10 boxes
Yes this fixed the problem. Took me 4 days to get this sorted.

Also shown and discussed in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSL73_euJvg

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