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Connecting a printer doesn't always go smoothly. If you frequently deal with this task, you'll encounter several irritating errors, not much different from the issues faced on Windows. The problem doesn't only stem from the printer but also involves Windows. To fix the Win error of not connecting to a printer, we need to employ various methods, depending on the specific situation we're dealing with.
However, these errors are not difficult to fix if you're willing to explore a bit or follow the instructions in this article. Learn how to fix the Win error of not connecting to a printer with our detailed guide. This article also serves as a reference for various scenarios when you want to install a printer and connect it to your computer.
Fixing Windows Error: Unable to Connect to Printer
1. Printer Error 0x000007e, Missing mscms.dll File
If you encounter the 0x000007e error while connecting to a printer, it means your printing system is missing the mscms.dll file. Don't worry; we can find this file right on your machine without the need to download it from anywhere. Let's proceed to fix the Win error of not connecting to a printer with the steps below.
Step 1: Firstly, open My Computer (on Windows 10, it's This PC) and navigate to the following path: Drive C > Windows > then go into System32 and stop there.
Here, you'll find numerous files, and to quickly locate the mscms.dll file, look at the search icon on the right side of Explorer.
Step 2: In the Search section, type mscms.dll; the results will appear instantly. Proceed to copy this file.
Step 3: Then, navigate to the folder following this path: Drive C > Windows > then enter System 32 > go into the printer driver management section Spool > and stop at the Drivers section.
Here, there are two folders, namely W32x86 and x64, that you should pay attention to. If you're using 32-bit operating system, proceed to W32x86, and in the case of Windows 64 bit, choose x64.
Step 4: Then proceed to the folder named 3 and paste the previously copied file here.
Step 5: A system notification will appear, indicating that the file already exists. Press Replace the file in the destination to overwrite the file.
On some computers with Administrator privilege protection, if this notification appears, simply press Continues.
Note: On some machines, you may need to enter both the username and password if they have set up protection rights.
After completing this step, try reconnecting the printer to see if it fixes the Win error of not connecting to the printer.
2. Check Printer Sharing
One cause of the inability to connect to the printer may be that the printer is not shared or has been turned off. Additionally, changes in the IP address can lead to printer connectivity issues. This is a common error, and to fix the Win error of not connecting to the printer due to sharing, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Firstly, open Control Panel by searching in the Start Menu.
Step 2: In the Control Panel, locate the View devices and printers section.
Step 3: Then select the printer you want to share (if you are the printer owner) and choose Printer properties from the right-click menu.
Step 4: Here, switch to the Sharing section and check Share this Printer, then confirm Apply >OK. The printer sharing process is now complete.
Afterward, other printers just need to know the address of your printer, or choose add a printer in the View devices and printers section to connect to the printer.
3. Fixing Win Error: Unable to Connect to Printer due to Printer Not Found
Step 1: While adding a printer to your machine but unable to find any, click on The printer that I want isn't listed to address the issue.
Step 2: Here, you have 5 options to troubleshoot and fix the Win error of not connecting to the printer when it's not found.
- My printer is a little older: Seek assistance from the system to help you find the printer, and it will provide some advice for you.
- Select a shared printer by name: Choose a shared printer, and you can find the printer using the format 'shared computer name\printer name'.
- Add a printer using a TCP/IP address: Connect the printer with the IP address within the same network system.
- Add a Bluetooth, wireless: Connect the printer if your machine supports and is set up through Wireless, Bluetooth.
- Add a local printer with manual settings: Normal connection with manual settings and setup.
Step 3: For the simplest way to connect the printer, choose option 3, add a printer using a TCP/IP. In other words, you just need to know the IP address of that machine.
Step 4: Next, enter the IP of the printer server or the printer itself if it operates independently.
To find the IP of the printer, revisit the steps in section 2. However, instead of going into the Sharing section, navigate to Port. Scroll down the list, and you'll find the address of the printer you're looking for.
Step 5: Wait for the system to identify the address and search for the printer for you; this process happens quite quickly.
If you see the message You've successfully added..., it means you've successfully connected the printer. Now, just click Next to complete the printer connection and completely fix the Win error of not connecting to the printer.
Here are ways to help you fix the Win error of not connecting to the printer, allowing you to resume normal printing. All three options above are easy to perform and quite effective in fixing the Win error of not connecting to the printer.
In case you have successfully connected to the printer, but it does not print when given commands, what should you do? For those who have used a printer even a little, encountering the issue of the printer receiving commands but not printing is not uncommon. The basic reason is that you have given too many print commands, but that's not the only cause. Refer to the article on fixing printer receives commands but does not print to understand more about the specific issue.
