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Windows 11 - network printer installation issue

Anonymous
2024-10-24T04:15:57+00:00

Hi, we have two Windows 2019 print servers. An "old" and a "new". They both run the same OS version and are built from the same VM template. Our Win11 client build can install shared printers without issue from the "old" print server. However, the same Win11 client cannot install printers from the "new" print server. It's the common error I have seen before in various situations..."Windows couldn't connect to the printer. Check the printer name and try again... blah blah blah".

I can actually get the printers to install by making the below changes on the Win 11 client PC, but I would very much prefer not to have to do this on all devices. I'm guessing this change would be frowned upon anyway.

On the Win 11 client device

  1. Open gpedit.msc
  2. Go to Computer Config > Admin templates > Printers > Configure RPC connection settings
  3. Choose Enabled > RPC over named pipes
  4. Click OK
  5. Scroll down to Printer Browsing
  6. Choose Enabled
  7. Click OK
  8. Restart the Print Spooler service

There's obviously something different with the two print servers. I can't find what the offending difference is. Any assistance would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

*** Moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Devices and drivers ***

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-29T21:24:48+00:00

    Yes, it's the firewall. Well, it's actually Win11 using different ports for RPC services than Win10. It's using ports in the high dynamic range for RPC communication. I now need to restrict those ports to a minimum and apply to get the firewall open to allow them. Thank you for the pointer. Very much appreciated. Consider this issue resolved. Thanks.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-25T10:32:32+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community forum.

    The environment you describe appears to be in a domain environment. The fact that the RPC connection Settings can be changed to allow the printer to be installed indicates that there may be configuration differences or network-related issues between the two print servers.

    It is recommended that you check the configuration:

    1. Check that the user has the correct access to the printer on the new server.
    2. Check that the firewall and network Settings of the new server are the same as those of the old server, and ensure that print ports (such as TCP/UDP 135, 139, and TCP 3389) are open.

    If the problem persists, use the Event Viewer to find any error messages related to printer services. Before viewing Logs, enable View > Show Analytic and Debug Logs.

    I hope this helps.

    Best regards

    Jacen

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-27T21:07:25+00:00

    Hi, thanks for your response. I should have mentioned that we can install printers without issue from the "new" print server using our Win10 clients. The firewall is good. I shall scrutinize the event viewer more. I have been through it many times before on both server and client without any success.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-10-27T21:13:55+00:00

    Actually, there do appear to be differences in the firewall config to these print servers. I'll get them the same (will take a bit of time) and test again. Thanks.

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