Pop up message will not let me use my laptop

Question

When I try to use my computer a message repeatedly pops up to tell me a message about my printer. I have not requested a printer. I installed the update that was pushed last night

Answer 1

Hi!

What exactly does the pop-up say? Take a picture and attach it to the topic using your phone. It could be a warning about an installed printer driver, misleading advertising, etc.

Does this pop-up not have a close button (X)? Or when you close it, does it reopen automatically?

Were you able to access the Windows settings? Try pressing Windows + I.

I need to know if you can use Windows and what message appears in the pop-up so I can help.

Answer 2

The repeated printer pop-up after an update is typically caused by a printer/driver problem or Office/Windows trying to contact a printer in the background.

Try these steps in order:

1. Run Windows and Office updates

• Install all pending Windows updates.
• In Office apps (Word, PowerPoint, etc.), go to File > Account > Update Options and apply any available updates. This can fix issues where Office repeatedly tries to talk to a problematic printer.

2. Update or roll back the printer driver Even if no printer was intentionally set up, Windows may have auto-installed one.

• Select Start and type Device Manager, then open it.
• Expand Printers or Print queues.
• Right-click the listed printer and select Properties.
• On the Driver tab:
  • First try Update driver.
  • If the issue started after the last update and Roll Back Driver is available, select Roll Back Driver, then restart the PC.

3. Use Windows printer troubleshooter

• Press Windows logo key + S, type Devices and printers, and open it.
• Right-click the printer and select Troubleshoot.
• Follow the wizard and apply any fixes.

4. Remove or disable an unwanted printer If a phantom or unused printer is causing the pop-ups:

• Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
• Select the unwanted printer and choose Remove.
• If removal fails, restart the PC and try again after running the troubleshooter.

5. If the message is from Office saying “Contacting the server for information” This can appear when Office is trying to connect to a printer and that connection is slow or failing. Fixing or removing the problematic printer (steps 2–4) usually stops the pop-up.

If the problem persists after these steps, contact the printer manufacturer’s support or a local administrator if the device is on a managed network.

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References:

• My Print button and some printer settings aren’t available
• Why am I getting the message "Contacting the server for information"?
• Fix printer driver compatibility issues in Windows
• I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC