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we couldn't print because there does not seem to be a printer installed

Anonymous
2018-07-11T01:29:00+00:00

Split from this thread.

See if manually setting a default printer in Devices & Scanners makes a difference. Clear the option "Let Windows manage my default printer" (which simply means that Windows changes the default printer each time you select a new printer).

For print troubleshooting specific to Word, see also https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/826845/how-to-troubleshoot-print-failures-in-word.

I have the exact same problem.

The problem first occurred some months ago and we tried all the suggestions on this and other threads but nothing solved the issue.

We have a work network with several printers installed and my own printer set to default, the option to manage is unchecked....my computer is running the latest updated version of Windows 10

Printing to my default printer works just fine with pdf's, from emails and also test pages print with no problem

Eventually we found a thread on a forum that suggested installing a 32 bit version of Office, we did this and the problem disappeared, I have had no problems for months.

Last week I performed an update on my Sage Accounts software and I was no longer able to export reports to Excel, - Sage customer service advised that my version of word was incompatible @ 32 bit so we have had to update now to the latest Office 365.

Now this no printer installed error has returned and I can no longer print from Word or excel to my printer...it simply says "we couldn't print because there does not seem to be a printer installed"

I have found a work around...I select the print to pdf (but not Microsoft Print to PDF as that does not work either, I have something called Nitro PDF installed), but even printing to this only actually works if I close Word down, re-open the document and then attempt to print it again.

My job as Company Administrator means that I constantly work with Word, Excel & Sage and this is making my job very difficult to do, it is not a new problem and I am not the only one having this issue, please advise when this bug will be fixed as it is unacceptable.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-07-20T02:42:54+00:00

    First I followed the instructions to disable bidirectional support (whatever that means) here: http://www.techyv.com/questions/we-couldnt-print-because-there-doesnt-seem-to-be-a-printer-installed-error-fix/

    Then I deleted some TMP files per advice on another site that I can't find now.

    That seemed to take care of everything, but then Word started hanging when I went to print. The only thing that helped was to restart, over and over. Then suddenly last night one of my 3 printers, which are all connected via USB, went offline. And I gave up.

    Then when I woke up today I realized that I was running Office 2016 32-bit, which the Dell tech had installed on my new laptop. But my OS is Win10 Pro 64-bit. So I uninstalled Office 32-bit and installed 64-bit. The End.

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  1. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2018-07-11T04:26:27+00:00

    What was the 32-bit version of Office that you were using that Sage told you was incompatible with their software?  Their advice sounds like the tail wagging the dog to me.

    When you updated to Office 365, was that to the 32-bit version or the 64-bit version?  Have you checked the printer manufacturer's website for an updated driver for the printer.

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  2. Stefan Blom 340.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2018-07-22T08:44:49+00:00

    I'm glad you got it sorted. Note, however, that 32 bit Office runs just fine on 64 bit Windows.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-07-22T07:42:17+00:00

    Hi Bella,

    It's your choice. For more details about 64 bit and 32 bit Office, please check the below article:

    Choose between the 64-bit or 32-bit version of Office

    You can install 32 bit Office if it is better one in your situation.

    Regards,

    Tina

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  4. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2018-07-20T06:26:49+00:00

    Microsoft do not recommend using the 64 bit version of Office unless very large, very complex, Excel models are being run.  If uninstalling the 32-bit version and then installing the 64-bit version overcame the problem, almost certainly uninstalling the 32-bit version and then re-installing it would have fixed the problem.

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