Cannot connect to the printer. The print processor does not exist.

NashvilleCanucks 1 Reputation point
2021-11-01T00:51:20.49+00:00

An existing Windows 10 shared printer stopped working and when attempting to reestablish the shared printer I received the error message. "Windows cannot connect to the printer. The print processor does not exist".

A search led me to the article on the Microsoft Technet forums,

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/89a7fef5-9ad8-4e24-9351-6a577b66ed42/cannot-install-printer-print-processor-does-not-exist

In attempting to follow the instructions in the answer I ran into the problem, that I was unable to move the copy of winprint.dll that was obtained from another PC in house into the "C:\Windows\System32\spool\prtprocs\x64" folder. I was informed that I needed Admin permission but was not provided with a place to enter my password.

Is this guidance from the Technet forum still valid for this problem? How to do I complete the process of copying the "winprint.dll" file into the protected folder?

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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Windows 10 Network
Windows 10 Network
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Network: A group of devices that communicate either wirelessly or via a physical connection.
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  1. T. Kujala 8,696 Reputation points
    2021-11-01T04:40:02.933+00:00

    Hi @NashvilleCanucks ,

    Have you tried to open the command prompt windows as adminstrator and then copy the file?

  2. Limitless Technology 39,336 Reputation points
    2021-11-04T09:31:21.407+00:00

    Hi there,

    I will suggest you to update the BIOS and install the latest drivers.

    Check whether the UAC has been enabled before trying to move the winprint.dll.
    Yes, the steps in the above TechNet are still good to give a short.

    This must sort the issue.

    Open the registry editor (Start > Run > type regedit.exe and press Enter)
    Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows x64\Print Processors\winprint in registry editor.
    Check for existence of Driver key. If it does not exist, add new string value named Driver and set it equal to winprint.dll.
    Restart the Print Spooler service

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept it as an answer--

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