You need to print your assignments asap, or an important document and the printer starts to act funny. Everyone has come across this problem once or more times in their life. 

The thing that your screen shows is windows can’t open add printer at that time. 

As painful and frustrating as it is, you can fix it with just a few commands. 

We will talk about 4 possible ways to fix your add printer error in this article. So hang on with us. 

4 Solution to Windows Can’t Open Add Printer

Here are the 4 solutions to your printer trouble. If one does not work, the other one will. And even if none of them work, there is a special tip in the end. 

Solution 1: Delete Printer Queue

Sometimes there are already printing commands that are queued in the printing command center. It’s called a Printer Spooler service. 

Step 1: Click on your search bar from your taskbar. 

Step 2: Search for ‘Services’ and press enter when it is found. 

Step 3: You will get a list of services menu. Scroll down to the ‘Printer Spooler’ option and double-click on it. 

Step 4: You will get the whole Printer Spooler settings. Press ‘Stop’ to stop its service. 

Step 5: Select the ‘Startup Type’ as ‘Automatic’ and press ‘Apply’ and then ‘Ok’ to save your setting. 

Step 6: Minimize the Utility window and press the Windows key along with ‘R’. It will prompt the Run window. 

Step 7: Copy and paste this to the window 

C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\PRINTERS

Step 8: You might get a message from windows explorer to continue or cancel, and press continue. 

Step 9: You will be taken to the printer folder. You will find two folders as follows. Select them both and delete them. 

Step 10: Close the folder and Maximize the utility setting again. 

Step 11: Select the ‘Printer Spooler’ and right-click on it. Select ‘Start’. 

Your printer will now start printing normally. 

Solution 2: Restart the Printer Spooler 

Oftentimes, the Printer Spooler Service gets jammed. To make it work properly, you have to restart it. To do so, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Start by pressing the Windows key along with ‘R‘ from your keyboard.

Step 2: You will get a “Run” window at this point. Type in ‘services.msc’ and press Enter.

Step 3: The service center will pop up. Double click on the Printer Spooler Service from here. 

Step 4: Check the Startup Service is Automatic. Then click apply and then save.

Step 5: If your service is running, you have to click Stop first before checking on anything else. 

Step 6: After you have saved your settings, click on Start to resume the printer spooler service. 

Your printer will start working now. If not, repeat the process.

Solution 3: Restart Your PC

We all have done this many times. And this refreshes any cache file that might be causing a problem in the memory, hence the printer is failing. 

Step 1: Save all your program progress and close them. 

Step 2: Click on the Start menu and select the Power icon. 

Step 3: Select restart from it. 

If your printer problem is still there, you might have to go to the last known solution. 

Solution 4: Uninstall and Reinstall Your Printer Software

Most of the time, all of the above steps fail because there is a problem with the printer’s software. And whatever the problem is, uninstalling and reinstalling your printer software fixes everything. Also saves you a lot of time.

Step 1: Press the Windows key along with ‘X‘ from your keyboard.

Step 2: Click on ‘Device Manager‘ from the list.

Step 3: Expand the “Print queues” from the Device Manager window.

Step 4: Right-click on your printer and click on ‘Uninstall Device’.

Step 5: If a reconfirmation window appears, click on Uninstall again.

Your printer will be uninstalled within a few minutes. Now comes the reinstalling part. You can simply go to Device Manager by pressing the ‘Windows key+X‘ like before and scan for a new device. The best thing to do is as follows.

Reinstalling Your Printer

Step 1: Press the ‘Windows key‘ and start typing “Printer” and you will get the ‘Printers and Scanners’ option. Click on it. 

Step 2: Click on ‘Add Printer or Scanner’ from the very top of the menu.

Step 3: Give it a few seconds and your computer will be able to detect your printer. When it does, browse to the drive where your printer driver is stored. You might also have a CD of it. If not, you can always browse on the internet and get it installed.

And you are all set and done. Do a test printing to make sure your printer is working perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you fix Windows Cannot open Add printer?

To fix windows that cannot open add printer, you have to do a few things. Start by deleting the printer queue, restarting the printer spooler service, restarting the computer, and lastly reinstalling the printer software.

Why can’t I add a printer in Windows 10?

There might be many reasons you cannot add a printer in Windows 10. The cables, software malfunction and what not. To get the right answer, you can run the printer troubleshooter to know the exact problem. If that does not work, try hardware and device troubleshooter. 

How do I open an add printer?

To open an add printer, you simply go to Settings>Devices>Printers and Scanners. This is for windows 10 and up users. For users using windows 7 and on, simply go to Control Panel>Devices and Printers>Add Printer.

How do I get Windows to recognize my printer?

For your Windows to recognize your printer, connect it with the cable to your computer first. Then go to Setting>Devices>Printers and Scanners. And click on Add Printer and Scanner. Wait a few minutes and your printer will show up.

Why is my computer not finding my printer?

If your computer is not able to find your printer, try unplugging it and then plugging it again. Make sure to restart your computer after you plug your printer back in. If nothing works, you might need to change your printer’s cable. 

Conclusion

There are several reasons your printer is not found by your windows. If nothing works, try reinstalling your printer’s software. Make sure you uninstall it beforehand. And if that also fails, it is time to check with the cable that is connecting your printer to your computer. Chances are the cable is defective.