problem setting up printer sharing from host Windows 11 computer to client Windows 10 computer

Question

client computer Windows 10 can see shared printer on host computer Windows 11 but cannot connect to it

 

I asked this question and got a notification that someone answered it but when I clicked on the link to view the answer, the page tells me the content has been deleted due to a violation of Code of Content.  This makes no sense to me as it contained nothing weird at all.

 

I previously had a Windows 7 computer as the host computer and a Windows 10 as a client and they shared my Brother HL-L2360D series printer perfectly.  When I first got the Windows 11 (the new host) computer, I was able to setup printer sharing very easily.  Then I updated the Windows 11 computer to the 25H2.  The printer stopped working on the client Windows 10 computer.  The 2 computers could no longer see each other too.

 

I finally resorted to chatting with Microsoft and gave the guy access to both of my computers and he changed stuff on both computers and they can now see each other and share files just fine.  I also had him fix the printing issue.  At first he tried to tell me just to share the file on the Windows 11 computer and print from there but I told him that was not acceptable when I should be able to see the shared printer on the Windows 11 computer.  He reluctantly had to do more work but clearly let me know that Windows 10 is no longer supported.  Whatever he did, I could print from my Windows 10 computer to the shared printer on the Windows 11 computer although he really slowed down my Windows 10 computer. 

 

However, I recently discovered that I can no longer print from the 10 to the 11 computer shared printer. The error message was "Word can't print due to a problem with the printer setup'   I doubled checked all settings and discovery and file and print sharing is still turned on.  I can still share files back and forth on both computers just fine. 

 

So after making sure all the settings are still good I finally deleted the printer and tried to re-add it.  I can see the printer on the Windows 11 computer but when I click on it to add it, the error message is now "Windows couldn't connect to the printer. Check the printer name and try again. If this is a network printer, make sure that the printer is turned on, and that the printer address is correct."

 

The printer name is fine and like I said I can see and click on the printer name to add it.  and the printer is turned on and able to print on the host Windows 11 computer just fine.

 

What else can I try?  It definitely has to do with the 25H2 update so I'm guessing the problem fix might lie with doing something on the Windows 11 computer (beyond making sure discovery and file and print sharing is turned on).  Whatever I do, I do not want to lose the networking capability of the two computers being able to see and share files between themselves.

 

Thank you in advance.  And if whoever deleted this post earlier would reach out to me and let me know what exactly you don't like about my post, I'd be happy to fix it for you but please do not delete this without contacting me first.

Answer 1

Hello Cindy,

• Regarding (RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled) set it as Zero for now.
  &&
  Follow the below CMD commands to run

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Regarding connecting the Printer to the Network directly (just as any other PCs).

Requirements: The printer should support it (check the model) and see if it has (Network Port) or (Wi-Fi) capability.

Additionally: Some modern routers have a USB port that you can utilize it as (Media Server / Printing).

After that everything will be easier, you can print from any device on the same network hub/switch/router.

(P.S I assume that you are not using Hub (as it's very obsolete and should be replaced by switch)

• Each device (Laptop/PC/..) on any network should have (IP Address) to communicate >> from the Printer Panel (Touch Panel) / Control panel like below image:

Open Network Tab > IP > Set IP (Depending on your IP Configurations)

"Of course it setting IP dependent on your current network configurations"

• Open CMD from any PC >> Run this command (ipconfig)
  Example: IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.2 (my laptop has number 2) -- Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0 (use this numbers on your printer same) - fyi Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1 (IP of the router) - fyi

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__configure printer then with 192.168.1. (any number not assigned to your network)
It may sound complicated but you can search for guides specific for your printer.

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If the Printer Model not supporting any network capability & all the above steps not worked with you:

Let's Work with Registry to check the Everyone Permission:

1. Open (Registry Editor)
2. "Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows"
3. Right Click on (Windows) key/Folder >> Permissions >> Add
   "Everyone" && Check mark "Full Control + Read"
   
   1. Open (CMD) as Administrator and run the below commands
      

• reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\RPC" /v RpcUseNamedPipeProtocol /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
• reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\RPC" /v RpcProtocols /t REG_DWORD /d 0x7 /f
• reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\RPC" /v ForceKerberosForRpc /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

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Reference MS-Doc: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/printing/windows-11-rpc-connection-updates-for-print

{

The best way is to isolate the issue, like connected the printer to the other win.10.pc and retry,
OR
Reset All Setting

OR

"You may need onsite/remote support"

I hope it works this time :D Waiting for your update🙏

Regards,

Answer 2

I tried some suggestions in the other post but it did not help so I checked back here. Will just await the assistance for the first two issues I had with the instructions before proceeding further.

Answer 3

Hello @Cindy ,

This specific issue may have multiple caused try the first solution and check out the below steps (if not worked)

Kindly check the (Sharing Properties of the Printer) from the Main Device:

1. Open Run >> type: control printers Or Open Settings and look for that printer.
2. Right Click / Check for Printer Properties
3. Open (Sharing) Tab >> Additional Drivers
4. Add (x64) & (x86) Drivers >> Save/Apply

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Enable Printer Services:

• Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
• Select Turn Windows features on or off.
• Locate "Print and Document Services" and ensure LPD Print Service and LPR Port Monitor are checked.

Registry Permissions:

1. Open the Registry Editor and navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows.
2. Right-click the Windows key, select Permissions, and add "Everyone."
3. Grant "Full Control" and "Read" permissions to Everyone

Configure RPC Settings

1. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers.
2. Create a new key named RPC if it doesn't exist.
3. Inside RPC, create two DWORD (32-bit) Values:
   • RpcOverTcp (Set value to 0)
   • RpcOverNamedPipes (Set value to 1)

Privacy Settings for RPC

1. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print.
2. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled and set its value to 1

Update Printer Drivers

1. Open Device Manager and expand Print queues.
2. Right-click your printer and select Update driver. Use "Search automatically for drivers" if you don't have the file

Manually Add the Printer

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Add a device.
2. If not found, click "The printer that I want isn't listed."
3. Select Select a shared printer by name and enter the network path to the printer manually

Add the Credentials (Workaround)

1. Create local account on the system sharing the printer with.
   On Other Computers
2. Press the Windows Key, type Credential Manager, and select it.
3. Click Add a Windows credential and fill in the fields using the host PC's (the one sharing the printer) information:
4. Network Address: The name of the host computer (e.g., DESKTOP-MainPC).
5. User Name: Use the format ComputerName\Username (e.g., DESKTOP-HOST\Local_Username)

Restart/Reboot System