Some users cannot print or add printers starting last Thursday (22-June-2023)

Question

Users & printers have all been working for 18 months, then many stopped all at once. Our WSUS delivers updates on Wednesday nights, so that is suspect, but we can't find anything that was pushed out last Wednesday except a virus/security update and everyone got it, but only some users were affected.

Windows Server 2019, Windows 10 Enterprise

Symptoms:

1. Print jobs fail to open printer (queue, properties, etc., all fail)
2. Try to add new printer (remove, then re-add) gets the error "Windows cannot install this printer"

We have restarted the print services, restarted the DC that runs the print services, restarted all the PCs involved

Has anyone else experienced this last week, or ever, for that matter?

Thoughts on further troubleshooting?

Help?

Please and thank you!

Answer 1

Hello,

There is not much information or error codes, but I can suggest some general approach.

First, I would recommend to test the connectivy of the server and test printers, by pinging both the IP address and the FQDN (both \Servername\ and \servername\printername)

Make sure your users have "rights" in the Group Policy to load and unload device drivers. Often, we find only administrators can install the required drivers due to policy.

Run gpedit.msc, then go to:

Computer Configuration>Windows Settings>Security Settings>Local Policies>User Rights Assignment

Load and Unload Device Drivers - set users/groups accordingly.

Many drivers are not self-contained and require .NET v3.5 installed to install or function properly.

Check your installed components:

Run AppWiz.cpl

Turn Windows Features On or Off > the first checkbox should be .NET v3.5. Enable if off.

This steps can provide you more information of where it could be the issue, if not fix it.

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