Printer stopped working - cannot remove printer

Question

Printer (wifi attached) stopped working when I returned home after a trip. I checked settings and discovered that there were two entries for the same printer (I did NOT install the printer twice). I tried to remove the extra device to re-install, but system never moves beyond the 'removing device' stage.

Answer 1

Thank you for the information, Neal.

Try these steps for me.

1: Let's try to stop the Print Spooler service.

On your keyboard, press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

Scroll down and right-click on Print Spooler, then select Stop.

2. Then remove the driver for me. Press Windows + R, type control printers, and press Enter. In the Devices and Printers window, check if the printer is still listed.

If it is, right-click and try to remove it again.

After that, please go to this folder in File Explorer. C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

You may need admin permission.

Delete all files inside this folder.

3. Restart the spooler service. Go back to services.msc.

Right-click Print Spooler again and choose Start.

4. If you're using Windows Pro or Enterprise. Press Windows + R, type printmanagement.msc, and press Enter. (Only if this is available in your computer)

Go to All Printers > Right-click the printer > Delete.

Also go to All Drivers and remove any unused drivers for that printer.

5. Now try to re-add it. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners

Click Add device to reinstall your printer. Ensure your printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi.

Let me know how it goes. I will be here.

Best regards,

Adrian A.

Answer 2

That’s fantastic news! I’m really glad to hear it’s working again!

This kind of insight is very valuable for troubleshooting printer issues on Windows 11, especially when the traditional Devices and Printers view doesn’t reflect the correct status. Thanks for the update, Neal.

If you have any more questions or run into other issues, feel free to reach out.

All the best,

Adrian A.

Answer 3

Good news - it works now, so thank you very much!

FWIW:

I stopped the spooler, went to the devices (under Bluetooth & Devices tab - not Devices and Printers), and it was still there and showing the same status (removing device) as it has for a week.

I then went to the PRINTERS folder, but it was already empty.

I next restarted the spooler, When I checked the Bluetooth & Devices tab this time, the 'removing device' message had been replaced with 'missing driver'. when I clicked 'remove device' this time, it did delete. I then clicked 'Add Device', Windows found it, and quickly loaded the driver. All working again.

Answer 4

1. HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP M281fdw

Printer has been working perfectly with other computers on my home network

2. Windows 11 Home 24H2 build 26100.2775

Answer 5

Hello Neal,

Sorry for the trouble this has caused you. You are not alone in this and I am here to help.

Before we proceed, just want to set your expectations that I am also a fellow Microsoft Community member and as a Windows expert I have also limited troubleshooting guidelines and I may need to refer you to your printer manufaturer if the issue is complex and require advanced troubleshooting. Don’t worry, we will go through some steps to fix it and so you can get back on track.

Allow to ask these questions first.

1. What is your printer make and model?
2. Is your Windows fully updated and what version are you running?

Once I have the information, I will guide you with the steps to fix it.

Looking forwardto your reply.

Warm regards,
Adrian A