Can't share printer.

Question

I have been unable to share my printer for a long time now. Today I found this in the Event Viewer. It occurs on every bootup which is why I am unable to share my printer. I have no clue what caused it, or how to fix it.

Log Name:      Microsoft-Windows-PrintService/AdminSource:        Microsoft-Windows-PrintServiceDate:          11/15/2009 3:51:05 PMEvent ID:      315Task Category: Sharing a printerLevel:         ErrorKeywords:      Classic Spooler Event,PrinterUser:          SYSTEMComputer:      Michael-PCDescription:The print spooler failed to share printer HP Deskjet F4200 series with shared resource name HP Deskjet F4200 series. Error 2114. The printer cannot be used by others on the network.Event Xml:<Event xmlns="**http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event**">  <System>    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-PrintService" Guid="{747EF6FD-E535-4D16-B510-42C90F6873A1}" />    <EventID>315</EventID>    <Version>0</Version>    <Level>2</Level>    <Task>30</Task>    <Opcode>12</Opcode>    <Keywords>0x8000000000000820</Keywords>    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-11-15T20:51:05.802400000Z" />    <EventRecordID>71</EventRecordID>    <Correlation />    <Execution ProcessID="1368" ThreadID="2348" />    <Channel>Microsoft-Windows-PrintService/Admin</Channel>    <Computer>Michael-PC</Computer>    <Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />  </System>  <UserData>    <ShareFailed xmlns:auto-ns3="**http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events**" xmlns="**http://manifests.microsoft.com/win/2005/08/windows/printing/spooler/core/events**">      <Param1>2114</Param1>      <Param2>HP Deskjet F4200 series</Param2>      <Param3>HP Deskjet F4200 series</Param3>    </ShareFailed>  </UserData></Event>

Answer 1

Hi Mike,

Sorry that the issue still persists!

Method 1:

Step 1

You may check if the service related to printing is started.

1.      Click on Start

2.      In the start Search box type Services

3.      Right Click on - RUN AS ADMIN

Check if the below mentioned services has the mentioned status and start up type.

Print Spooler      Started      Automatic

Step 2

Also check the dependency services that are required for Print Spooler service to run.

To check that double click on the service and click on the dependency tab.

Method 2:

Try disabling the password protected sharing in Network and Sharing. Follow the steps:

1.      Click on Start.

2.      Go to Control Panel.

3.      Select Network and Internet.

4.      Click on Network and Sharing Center.

5.      On the left panel select ‘Change advance sharing settings’.

6.      Select ‘Turn off password protected sharing’.

7.      Save changes.

Method 3:

You may also perform a virus/spyware scan to check if the computer is affected by any spyware or virus.

Follow the link below which talks about malware removal tools.

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistasecurity/thread/761c3f8f-71ec-4d89-8f13-acf9cf734a1f

Hope this information is helpful.

Amrita M

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Answer 2

File and printer sharing has already been enabled, but the issue still exists.

If I try to access the printer from my OTHER computer by clicking Startthen Network if I double click on my computer name that has the printer installed, I am asked for a password to connect to that computer. However, ANYTHING can be entered into the Username and Password fields, just random characters would work. This means that on every bootup I have to enter random characters to get to my computer that has the printer installed. Any ideas why this happens?

-Mike

Answer 3

Hi Gamemaster406,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers!

To turn on file and printer sharing

1.      Open Advanced sharing settings by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type network, click Network and Sharing Center, and then, in the navigation pane, click Change advanced sharing settings.

2.      Click the arrow to expand the current network profile.

3.      If printer sharing is off, under File and printer sharing, select ‘Turn on file and printer sharing’, and then click ‘Save changes’.

If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

After you have done that now you need to share the printer itself.

 To do so follow the steps:

1.      Open Devices and Printers by clicking the Start button, and then, on the Start menu, clicking Devices and Printers.

2.      Right-click the printer you want to share, and then click Printer properties.

3.      Click the Sharing tab, and select the Share this printer check box.

For more details on printer sharing follow the below given links.

Share a printer

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Share-a-printer

Access files and printers on other homegroup computers

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Access-files-and-printers-on-other-homegroup-computers

 You may also check the article in the link given below

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd393219%28WS.10%29.aspx

Hope this information is helpful.

Amrita M

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.