Cannot Remove or Delete Network Printer in Windows

Remove Network Printers from Windows via Registry Editor

Step 1: Click on Start, Run and then type in regedit and press Enter. This will open the registry editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the following key in the registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER – Printers – Connections

Here you should now see a list of all network printers with the server name first, then a comma, and then the name of the actual printer.

Go ahead and click on the printer in the left menu and press the Delete button or right-click and choose Delete. Unfortunately, that’s not all! You also have to delete the printer from one more location in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE – SYSTEM – CurrentControlSet – Control – Print – Providers – LanMan Print Services – Servers – Printers

Now under the servers key, you should be able to expand it and see the name of the print server that actually hosts the printer you want to delete. Go ahead and expand the print server key and delete the printer from the list.

Now close the registry editor and reboot your computer. The undeletable network printer should now be gone! Note that the method above is just for network printers. If you have a local printer and want to remove it the same way via the registry, you need to go to the following registry keys below:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\ Windows NT x86\ Drivers\Version-3\

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers\

Fixing Issue Where Users Unable to Set Default Printer

A KB to fix the issue whereby end users are unable to set their default printer and furthermore there is currently no default printer set.
This occurs when the end user loses access to a particular key in the Windows Registry.

1.	Open Regedit as an admin user a) Click the round Start buttuon b) Type Regedit into the Search box and open it when it appears
2.	Connect to the remote computer a) Click File > Connect Network Registry b) Enter the computer name and click OK
3.	Navigate to the correct Registry key Expand the remote computer's Registry at the following node: HKU > {User's SID} > Software > Microsoft > Windows NT > Current Version > Windows Note: You can determine the correct SID using PsGetSid from Sysinternals.
4.	Reset the permissions on the Windows key a) Right-click on the Windows key b) Click Permissions c) Click Advanced d) Tick Include inheritable permissions from this object's parent e) Press OK

Fixing Issue Where Users Unable to Set Default Printer

A KB to fix the issue whereby end users are unable to set their default printer and furthermore there is currently no default printer set.
This occurs when the end user loses access to a particular key in the Windows Registry.

1.	Open Regedit as an admin user a) Click the round Start buttuon b) Type Regedit into the Search box and open it when it appears
2.	Connect to the remote computer a) Click File > Connect Network Registry b) Enter the computer name and click OK
3.	Navigate to the correct Registry key Expand the remote computer's Registry at the following node: HKU > {User's SID} > Software > Microsoft > Windows NT > Current Version > Windows Note: You can determine the correct SID using PsGetSid from Sysinternals.
4.	Reset the permissions on the Windows key a) Right-click on the Windows key b) Click Permissions c) Click Advanced d) Tick Include inheritable permissions from this object's parent e) Press OK

How to clear the print spool

1. Click "start" and go to "Run"
2. Type "services.msc" at the prompt which will open the Services
   window 
3. Scroll down the alphabetical list in the right window pane until you come
   to the entry with the name "Print Spooler"
4. Right-click this entry, then select "stop". This will stop the computer
   running the process that holds your print queues.
5. Leaving that window open for now, click again on "Start", and then click
   "My Computer" to open a Windows Explorer window.
6. We've stopped the queue service, now we just have to clear the jam that is
   already there. To do this we navigate to the print spool folder which is hiding
   within the Windows folders. Usually Windows is installed on C: drive, but you
   should be easily able to tell when the Explorer window opens which drive it is
   on.
   
   The usual path to the spool folder is
   C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\PRINTERS, but yours may be slightly
   different. Your windows drive may have another name for instance, but this would
   be uncommon. So click on your Windows drive (usually C), then double-click on
   the Windows folder, and then find the System32 folder and double-click on
   that. Windows may warn you that you are about to view system files, but click
   "View files anyway" message and search out the "spool folder". Within the
   Spool folder is your Printers folder, and you should open
   that.
7. Delete every file within this folder to empty the jammed print queue
   (pressing the "ctrl" and "a" keys will select all files and then you can just
   hit "delete").
8. Close the explorer window now that we have emptied the cleared spool files,
   and return to your Services window. we must re-start the Print spool
   service, and do so by right-clicking the Print Spool entry and selecting
   "Start" from the list. Close the services window and try printing again

If your print spool folder contained no files to delete, then this article will
obviously not be the appropriate solution to your issue.

F981 3694 PRINTER ERROR ( error 49.4C27)

The 10 printers HP 4015n in our company always get an error message " 49.4c27 error". I checked on the Event log in Web-based Administration it shows an error F981 3694 PRINTER ERROR as shows below.

I tried to download the new firmware v04.120.0 with built-in firmware upgrade utility and I read the readme file it says it will solve the 49.4C27 error.

After the upgrade of firmware, so far now all printers now are working fine.

How to clear the print spool

[Windows users]

1. Click "start" and go to "Run"
2. Type "services.msc" at the prompt which will open the Services
   window (ooh, pretty...)
3. Scroll down the alphabetical list in the right window pane until you come
   to the entry with the name "Print Spooler"
4. Right-click this entry, then select "stop". This will stop the computer
   running the process that holds your print queues.
5. Leaving that window open for now, click again on "Start", and then click
   "My Computer" to open a Windows Explorer window.
6. We've stopped the queue service, now we just have to clear the jam that is
   already there. To do this we navigate to the print spool folder which is hiding
   within the Windows folders. Usually Windows is installed on C: drive, but you
   should be easily able to tell when the Explorer window opens which drive it is
   on.
   
   The usual path to the spool folder is
   C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\PRINTERS, but yours may be slightly
   different. Your windows drive may have another name for instance, but this would
   be uncommon. So click on your Windows drive (usually C), then double-click on
   the Windows folder, and then find the System32 folder and double-click on
   that. Windows may warn you that you are about to view system files, but click
   "View files anyway" message and search out the "spool folder". Within the
   Spool folder is your Printers folder, and you should open
   that.
7. Delete every file within this folder to empty the jammed print queue
   (pressing the "ctrl" and "a" keys will select all files and then you can just
   hit "delete").
8. Close the explorer window now that we have emptied the cleared spool files,
   and return to your Services window. we must re-start the Print spool
   service, and do so by right-clicking the Print Spool entry and selecting
   "Start" from the list. Close the services window and try printing again

If your print spool folder contained no files to delete, then this article will
obviously not be the appropriate solution to your issue.

HP LaserJet P4015 Displays 49.4C27 Error Message

HP LaserJet P4015 intermittently displays 49.4C27 Error message. All printing halts and printer has to be rebooted to being printing again.

HP Support recommends updating the printer firmware to version: 04.049.3, but it has been reported this error occurs with the new firmware as well.

Resolution:
Navigate thru the printer menu (on the front panel LCD display)
Menu
Configure Device
I/O
Embedded Jet Direct Menu

Disable ALL protocols that are not being used and are not configured.

Such as, if you are only using TCP/IP protocol, disable IPX/SPX, disable Appletalk, and disable DLC/LLC.

To disable a protocol:
navigate to the protocol
press OK
ENABLE will display
press OK
press Down arrow to highlight OFF
press OK

This error has been resolved by disabling all protocols not configured and not being used. (despite what version of firmware is being used)

Error: "Unable to store job at printer "

Print jobs sent to the HP LaserJet 4050 series printer result in a "Job Storage Status Page " with the following errors:

• Error: "Unable to store job at printer "
  Reason: Insufficient disk space for this job, Disk Error 15, or Disk Error 56.
• Error: "Unable to collate at printer"
  Reason: Disk error 24, Disk error 81.12, Disk error 15, Disk error 81.9 or Disk error 81.65

SOLUTION:

Power-cycle the printer by turning the printer off and turning it back on.

The print queue status is displayed as "Offline" on a Windows Server 2003-based print server if SNMP is enabled and if the printer devices don't resp

Hotfix Download Available View and request hotfix downloads

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2003 SP2 installed.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

Registry information

After you apply this hotfix, you must enable the hotfix. To have us enable the hotfix for you, go to the "Fix it for me" section. If you would rather enable the hotfix yourself, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.

Fix it for me

To enable the hotfix automatically, click the Fix this problem link. Then click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in this wizard.

Fix this problem
Microsoft Fix it 50095

Note This wizard may be in English only; however, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.

Note If you are not on the computer that has the problem, you can save the automatic fix to a flash drive or to a CD, and then you can run it on the computer that has the problem.

Now go to the "Did this fix the problem?" section.

Let me fix it myself

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

To enable the hotfix, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type SNMPLegacy, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click SNMPLegacy, and then click Modify.
6. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
   
   Note This hotfix does not work if the SNMPLegacy registry entry is set to 0. If this registry entry is set to 1, the print queue status is displayed as "Ready" instead of as "Offline" when a printer device does not respond to SNMP commands.
7. Exit Registry Editor.

Now go to the "Did this fix the problem?" section.

Did this fix the problem?

Restart the Print Spooler service and check whether the problem is fixed. If the problem is fixed, you are finished with this article. If the problem is not fixed, you can contact support.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, x86-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Tcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.3064	17,920	24-Dec-2007	14:50	x86

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x86-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Tcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.4211	18,432	24-Dec-2007	15:06	x86

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, Itanium-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Tcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.3064	48,128	24-Dec-2007	13:34	IA-64	SP1	Not Applicable
Wtcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.3064	17,920	24-Dec-2007	13:34	x86	SP1	WOW

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, Itanium-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Tcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.4211	49,152	24-Dec-2007	13:35	IA-64	SP2	Not Applicable
Wtcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.4211	18,432	24-Dec-2007	13:35	x86	SP2	WOW

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Tcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.3064	25,600	24-Dec-2007	13:34	x64	SP1	Not Applicable
Wtcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.3064	17,920	24-Dec-2007	13:34	x86	SP1	WOW

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x64-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Tcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.4211	26,112	24-Dec-2007	13:42	x64	SP2	Not Applicable
Wtcpmib.dll	5.2.3790.4211	18,432	24-Dec-2007	13:42	x86	SP2	WOW

To work around this problem, disable SNMP on the printer port. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
2. Right-click the printer, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Ports tab.
4. Click Configure Port.
5. Click to clear the SNMP Status Enabled check box, click OK, and then click Close.

HP LaserJets - Cold Reset Instructions

Cold resetting a printer resets the printer to factory defaults.Please note: Any settings you make at the printers control panel will be reset to factory defaults, including the IP address if you have a JetDirect card installed. Remove the JetDirect card while you cold reset the printer if you don't want to erase the JetDirect card's settings. You can also reset the NVRAM. Resetting the NVRAM will clear the page count and reset the service mode settings to factory defaults. On printers with a display panel you need to enter service mode to manually change the information stored in NVRAM. On printers that don't have a display panel, such as a 5P, 6P, 2100, 2200 there is a different procedure outlined below.

"Older" printers with a display panel. (e.g. 4000, 4100, 5si, 8000, etc.) Cold resetting the printer is simply a matter of turning the power off, holding down the GO or Online button while turning the printer on. Resetting NVRAM settings must be done manually through service mode. See entering service mode. "Newer" printers with a display panel. (e.g. 2300, 2400, 4200, 4250/4350, 4300, etc.) Turn the printer off and then on. When the printer begins its memory count, press and hold down the Checkmark button until all the main LED signal lights illuminate and stay illuminated. Then release the Checkmark button, and use the Up/Down arrow keys to find the Cold Reset option, then press the Checkmark button again to choose that option. Printers with no display panel. HP 1100, 1200 - While the printer is on, press and hold the Go button for 5 seconds. This will reset the printer. To reset the NVRAM. Turn the printer off. Press and hold the Go button for 20 seconds while powering on the printer. HP 2100 - To perform a cold reset, turn the printer power off, then press and hold the JOB CANCEL button. Turn the printer power back on and after all the LEDs come on release the JOB CANCEL button. A cold reset changes most system parameters in NVRAM to the factory defaults. The JOB CANCEL button must be released within 20 seconds after all of the LEDs come on; otherwise, an NVRAM initialization is performed instead of a cold reset. HP 2200 - Cold reset: 1. Turn the printer power off. 2. Press and hold GO. 3. Turn the printer power back on and continue to hold GO until the Attention light turns on. 4. Release GO. 5. The device lights will begin cycling from front to rear. The cold-reset process will run until completion and the device will go to the ready state. NVRAM Reset: 1. Turn the printer power off. 2. Press and hold GO. 3. Turn the printer power back on and continue to hold GO until the Attention, Ready, and Go lights turn on. 4. Release GO. 5. The device lights will begin cycling from font to rear. The NVRAM initialization will run until completion and the device will go to the ready state. HP 5P & 6P Cold reset: Turn the power off and hold the reset button (button closest to the back of the printer) for LESS than 20 seconds while turning the printer on. Reset the NVRAM: Turn the power off and hold the reset button for MORE than 20 seconds while turning the printer on..

Vista -- print spooler service constantly stops. I cannot print.

This problem is similar to mine, and the solution was found by reading an earlier posting of Vista and print spool problems in Word. But the problem is not limited just to Vista OS, seems to affect many versions of Word using newest HP Printers in XP too. You fix the problem by unchecking the box "allow background printing" in MS Word "tools/options/print" menu.

I run XP and have a new HP 6000 inkjet locally connected that spools Word 97 docs for hours. (Never bothered to update Word all these years as I don't use it much). Then I unchecked the "allow background printing" box and solved my problem.

For Word 2007, CLick (Office button) > Word Options, in print section unchecked "Print in background".

HP Laserjet printer 49.3048 Service Error"

Don't print those documents again; if necessary, remove the offending document from the print queue on the computer that caused it. On Windows or Macs, stop the printer queue and remove all the jobs from it. On linux, use 'lprm''. Don't try printing the same file again if you can help it.

If you can (e.g. on Windows), try using a different printer language (say, PCL instead of postscript).

Unplugged the printer from the network or computer and turned off. If that doesn't work try a cold reset. Turn the printer on and once the memory starts to count up press and hold the check button until the three lights light up and release then scroll down and hit the check mark on cold reset and see if the printer comes to ready.

HP Laserjet: PCL XL error Subsystem: KERNEL Error: IllegalOperatorSequence Operator: EndChar Position: 23

Solution:

1.right click the printer and go to the properties.
2.click on the advanced tab and uncheck 'enabled printing features'
3.click on the general tab and click on 'printing preferences'
4.click on the 'advanced' tab and disable the 'print optimizations'

What are printer permissions?

Printer permissions determine which printer properties you can manage, such as renaming or sharing a printer, allowing or removing access to the printer, and determining who can manage documents or properties for the printer. Printer permissions are typically managed by the person who installed the printer or, if the printer is connected to a business or enterprise network, by a system administrator.

Permissions can be assigned to each person who uses the printer or to a group of users who have the same type of user account. Members of the administrators group on the computer, for example, have permission to manage printers by default.

Windows offers four types of printer permissions:

1. Print. By default, each user can print and cancel, pause, or restart documents or files that they send to a printer.
   
2. Manage documents. If you have this permission, you can manage all jobs for a printer that are waiting in the print queue, including documents or files that are being printed by other users. For more information, see View the print queue.
   
3. Manage printers. This permission allows you to rename, delete, share, and choose preferences for the printer. It also allows you to choose printer permissions for other users and to manage all jobs for the printer. Members of the administrator group for a computer have permission to manage printers by default.
   
4. Special permissions. These permissions, typically used only by system administrators, can be used to change the printer owner, if needed. The printer CREATOR OWNER is given all printer permissions and is, by default, the person who installs the printer.