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Printer not working after a Windows update? Here's the fix

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It’s a scenario every IT professional knows well. The latest Windows security patch has been deployed, and moments later, the support tickets start rolling in. Users can no longer print critical documents, and productivity grinds to a halt.

When your printer is not working after a Windows update, it can feel like a complex and frustrating puzzle. These updates, designed to enhance security and performance, can sometimes inadvertently conflict with existing hardware drivers or network settings, leading to a complete breakdown in communication between your PC and your printer.

For IT teams managing fleets of devices across different locations, this issue is magnified. Troubleshooting each affected machine individually is a significant time drain that pulls resources away from more strategic initiatives. For IT professionals who need to manage these issues across an entire organization, effective remote support is essential to getting your teams back online swiftly. This guide provides a systematic, data-driven approach to diagnosing and resolving these printer failures. 

In this article:

Why Windows updates can cause printer problems

A Windows update is a complex operation that modifies core system files, security protocols, and device driver interactions. While Microsoft tests these updates extensively, the sheer diversity of hardware and software configurations in the wild means conflicts are inevitable. When a printer stops working, it's typically due to one of several key reasons introduced by the update.

Driver incompatibility after updates

An update might render your existing printer drivers obsolete or corrupted. Windows may attempt to install a generic driver that lacks full functionality, or the old driver may simply conflict with the new operating system architecture, leading to a communication breakdown between the PC and the hardware.

Network and security protocol changes

Changes to network and security protocols can sever the connection. Updates, particularly security-focused ones, often tighten rules around network discovery and communication. This can cause a networked printer to suddenly become invisible to the PC or block the data transmission required for printing, sometimes resulting in cryptic error messages.

Print spooler service disruptions

The Windows print spooler service itself can be affected. This essential service manages the queue of print jobs. An update can corrupt the spooler's files or alter its permissions, causing it to crash or hang. When this happens, print jobs get stuck in the queue, and the printer appears completely unresponsive.

Essential first steps for troubleshooting

Before diving into complex solutions, it’s critical to cover the basics. These simple steps resolve a surprising number of post-update printer issues and can save you significant time. They help rule out simple connection or software glitches before you start modifying system settings or reinstalling drivers.

Restart your PC and printer

Start with the most fundamental fix: a full restart of all involved hardware. Power down your PC completely, not just putting it to sleep. At the same time, turn off your printer and unplug it from the power source for at least 60 seconds to clear its internal memory. Then, plug the printer back in, turn it on, and once it's fully initialized, restart your PC.

Verify physical and network connections

If you use a USB cable, ensure it is securely plugged into both the printer and the PC. Try using a different USB port on your computer to rule out a port failure. For networked printers, confirm that the printer is connected to the network and that your PC is on the same network.

Run the Windows printer troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter designed to automatically diagnose and fix common hardware problems. To use it, navigate to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find the "Printer" troubleshooter and click "Run." Follow the on-screen instructions and allow the tool to detect and attempt to resolve any issues it finds.

Run the Windows printer troubleshooter

If the troubleshooter doesn't work, manually check the print queue. Sometimes, a single corrupted print job can block all subsequent requests. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, and click "Open print queue." If you see any stuck documents, click "Printer" in the menu bar and select "Cancel All Documents" to clear the queue.

Advanced solutions for stubborn printer issues

If the initial steps fail, it’s time to address more deep-seated problems, often related to drivers or specific Windows errors. These advanced fixes target the root causes of persistent connectivity issues, including the common scenario where a printer not showing in devices and printers in Windows 11 becomes a major headache.

1. Update or reinstall printer drivers

The most common advanced solution is to update or reinstall the printer drivers. A printer not working after a Windows 11 update is frequently a driver issue. Visit the printer manufacturer's support website (e.g., HP, Canon, Brother) and download the latest drivers specifically designed for your version of Windows. Before installing the new drivers, it’s best to completely uninstall the old ones from "Printers & scanners" and "Device Manager" to ensure a clean installation. This is especially crucial if you find your hp printer not working after the Windows 11 update, as specific vendor software is often required.

2. Fix the 0x0000011b error with a registry edit

Another frequent and frustrating issue is the ‘Windows cannot connect to the printer error 0x0000011b’. This error is often linked to security changes Microsoft implemented to patch the "PrintNightmare" vulnerability. To resolve this, you may need to perform a registry edit. 

  • Open the Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
  • Navigate to ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System \CurrentControlSet \Control\Print’. 
  • Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named ‘RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled’ and set its value to ‘0’. 

A system restart is required for this change to take effect. Please be cautious when editing the registry and consider creating a backup first.

3. Restart the Print Spooler service

If driver reinstallation and registry edits don't solve the problem, you may need to manually restart the Print Spooler service. 

  • Open the Services app (services.msc).
  • Find "Print Spooler" in the list.
  • Right-click it and select "Restart."

If the service fails to start, check its dependencies and ensure they are running. Sometimes, clearing the spooler's cache manually by deleting files in the ‘C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS’ folder (while the service is stopped) can also resolve persistent hangs

4. Roll back a problematic Windows update

As a last resort, consider uninstalling the problematic Windows update. You can do this by navigating to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Identify the most recent update that coincided with the printer failure and uninstall it. While this can restore functionality, it may leave your system vulnerable, so it should be used as a temporary measure until a permanent fix from Microsoft or your printer manufacturer is available.

Streamlining your IT support workflow

When a printer not working after a Windows update brings business operations to a standstill, the pressure is on IT to deliver a fast and effective fix. The troubleshooting steps outlined provide a clear path to resolution, from simple restarts to more complex driver and registry modifications. 

This process highlights the importance of having a robust toolkit for device management. Whether you are updating drivers, editing the registry, or restarting services, the ability to perform these actions without disrupting the end-user is critical. This is where seamless remote access becomes a force multiplier, allowing IT professionals to manage and resolve issues on any PC from a central location.