Ricoh Printer not working anymore under Win11

jeannot18 · Mar 26, 2024

Hi there, thanks for accepting me on this forum. I have recently replaced my old Windows 10 desktop by a new mini PC running Windows 11. So far so good except for my Ricoh printer that refuses to work with the new PC. I have disinstalled the printer, reinstalled it, try to update the driver, nothing will do. I have put back my old PC together to try the printer and it works perfectly. I have read somewhere that some old printer may have some issues with Windows 11. I don't really want to replace the printer which works perfectly well, any ideas, thank you
J

steveg · Mar 26, 2024

Make sure printer is connected and at least seen in printers and devices. Be sure connected to internet and check for windows updates then go to advanced in the results and see if any optional drivers for the printer are listed.

glasskuter · Mar 26, 2024

What is exact model of printer? How is it connected to computer..usb or wireless? Is it detected in settings>bluetooth & devices>printers & scanners

jeannot18 · Mar 26, 2024

steveg said:
Make sure printer is connected and at least seen in printers and devices. Be sure connected to internet and check for windows updates then go to advanced in the results and see if any optional drivers for the printer are listed.

Thanks for the reply, this has already been done. It says that the driver function properly, the latest drivers are installed etc, but when I send anything to print, it comes with an error message (please note that the printer works perfectly with my old PC, I have printed some stuff Saturday)

jeannot18 · Mar 26, 2024

glasskuter said:
What is exact model of printer? How is it connected to computer..usb or wireless? Is it detected in settings>bluetooth & devices>printers & scanners

Thanks for the reply, it's a Ricoh SP 204SFn. The printer gets detected, when i check the status in devices, it says that it works properly, but when I send anything to print, an error message comes up. I have used the printer Saturday with my old PC and it works perfectly well

glasskuter · Mar 26, 2024

jeannot18 said:
an error message comes up

what error

jeannot18 · Mar 26, 2024

glasskuter said:
what error

I will have to reconnect the printer and screenshot it and post it here. Bear with me (lesson learned I should have copied it in the first instance)

bobkn · Mar 26, 2024

jeannot18 said:
Hi there, thanks for accepting me on this forum. I have recently replaced my old Windows 10 desktop by a new mini PC running Windows 11. So far so good except for my Ricoh printer that refuses to work with the new PC. I have disinstalled the printer, reinstalled it, try to update the driver, nothing will do. I have put back my old PC together to try the printer and it works perfectly. I have read somewhere that some old printer may have some issues with Windows 11. I don't really want to replace the printer which works perfectly well, any ideas, thank you
J

You're using the latest drivers?

SP 204SF/SP 204SFN Downloads | Ricoh Global

support.ricoh.com

(You probably are, but I thought it worth asking.)

You could also try running the printing troubleshooter.

Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn ways to fix common printing problems in Windows 10.

support.microsoft.com

steveg · Mar 26, 2024

Those Ricoh drivers are pretty old, hopefully MS has something generic that works. Sad Ricoh hasn't updated for that long especially since they are more of a business oriented printer manufacturer. Probably the typical mindset want to sell new equipment.

jeannot18 · Mar 26, 2024

bobkn said:
You're using the latest drivers?

SP 204SF/SP 204SFN Downloads | Ricoh Global

support.ricoh.com

(You probably are, but I thought it worth asking.)

You could also try running the printing troubleshooter.

Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn ways to fix common printing problems in Windows 10.

support.microsoft.com

I did all of that, i just don't anymore what I can try next. I tried to contact Ricoh but they were not able to help me either

bobkn · Mar 26, 2024

I see that the printer has both USB and Ethernet inputs. How do you have it connected?

(The last few years, I've used Ethernet with my printers.)

I'm not optimistic that switching (if available) will help. I'm sorry that Ricoh was unable to help. The printer could be as old as 10 years, but I'd expect it to still be supported.

I believe that the differences between Windows 10 and 11 are small enough that if the printer should work with both.

jeannot18 · Mar 27, 2024

bobkn said:
I see that the printer has both USB and Ethernet inputs. How do you have it connected?

(The last few years, I've used Ethernet with my printers.)

I'm not optimistic that switching (if available) will help. I'm sorry that Ricoh was unable to help. The printer could be as old as 10 years, but I'd expect it to still be supported.

I believe that the differences between Windows 10 and 11 are small enough that if the printer should work with both.

Thanks for the reply. Via USB, I even bought a new cable just in case my old one was damaged. I am attaching the error message i see when I try to print something (in this case a one pager in Word). Plus the Device Manager showing that the printer is working properly. I run the trouble shooter option in Printers & Scanners but it is not doing anything. I have an Ethernet input option, and I have just tried that (with and without the USB cable connected) and I still get an error message. I really don't know what to try next now other than to buy a more modern printer which I really don't want to do. Thank you
EDIT: By the way, i opened Acrobat and try to create a document using the scanner, but no scanner are available, when the printer shows that it is connected (it does scanner too).
J

DennyZenny · Mar 27, 2024

I had a similar issue with my family's HP OfficeJet 4650. Printing from a USB would just not work consistently, but the issue seemed to be fixed in an update. What build of Windows 11 are you running?

jeannot18 · Mar 27, 2024

I posted a reply but somehow it disappeared. i am attaching a few error messages and printer setup that I can see. I have tried an ethernet connection but still the same result. I have also downloaded Ricoh Driver Manager program but that did not help either. I really don't know what I can do next, thank you to everyone trying to help
J

jeannot18 · Mar 27, 2024

DennyZenny said:
I had a similar issue with my family's HP OfficeJet 4650. Printing from a USB would just not work consistently, but the issue seemed to be fixed in an update. What build of Windows 11 are you running?

This one (see picture), thank you

DennyZenny · Mar 27, 2024

jeannot18 said:
This one (see picture), thank you

I'm not at home right now, but when I do get home, I'll check what build that family PC (connected to OfficeJet 4650) is on.

jeannot18 · Mar 27, 2024

DennyZenny said:
I'm not at home right now, but when I do get home, I'll check what build that family PC (connected to OfficeJet 4650) is on.

Ok thank you

andrew129260 · Mar 27, 2024

The windows 11 driver is found right here:

https://support.ricoh.com/bb/pub_e/dr_ut_e/0001289/0001289987/V112/z74177en.exe

I also found this:

1. When the "Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support" setting is disabled (by default),
Ricoh drivers and utilities for Windows 10 can be used without any problems.

2. When the "Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support" setting is enabled, issues might occur for some drivers. Ricoh is working to release drivers with the fix implemented, but for now, please make sure to disable the setting when using Ricoh drivers.
The following issues might occur if this setting is enabled:
- The printer driver installer might fail to run and an error message is displayed.
- The dialog of the printer driver installer might show garbled characters when a language displaying multibyte characters is configured as the Current system locale.
- The login username on the Smart Operation Panel might be garbled.
- The Header/Footer functions print with garbled characters

Perhaps try that? The default setting is off, but you can make sure its not checked under Start > Control Panel > Region > "Administrative" tab > click the "Change system locale" button.

bobkn · Mar 27, 2024

jeannot18 said:
Thanks for the reply. Via USB, I even bought a new cable just in case my old one was damaged. I am attaching the error message i see when I try to print something (in this case a one pager in Word). Plus the Device Manager showing that the printer is working properly. I run the trouble shooter option in Printers & Scanners but it is not doing anything. I have an Ethernet input option, and I have just tried that (with and without the USB cable connected) and I still get an error message. I really don't know what to try next now other than to buy a more modern printer which I really don't want to do. Thank you
EDIT: By the way, i opened Acrobat and try to create a document using the scanner, but no scanner are available, when the printer shows that it is connected (it does scanner too).
J

Not very informative error messages.

A random suggestion: see whether the USB port on the new PC is working. One way to do that would be to plug in a thumb drive.

At least you know that the printer itself is OK. I recently had to retire a printer because it stopped communicating via its Ethernet port.

jeannot18 · Mar 27, 2024

andrew129260 said:
The windows 11 driver is found right here:

https://support.ricoh.com/bb/pub_e/dr_ut_e/0001289/0001289987/V112/z74177en.exe

I also found this:

1. When the "Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support" setting is disabled (by default),
Ricoh drivers and utilities for Windows 10 can be used without any problems.

2. When the "Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support" setting is enabled, issues might occur for some drivers. Ricoh is working to release drivers with the fix implemented, but for now, please make sure to disable the setting when using Ricoh drivers.
The following issues might occur if this setting is enabled:
- The printer driver installer might fail to run and an error message is displayed.
- The dialog of the printer driver installer might show garbled characters when a language displaying multibyte characters is configured as the Current system locale.
- The login username on the Smart Operation Panel might be garbled.
- The Header/Footer functions print with garbled characters

Perhaps try that? The default setting is off, but you can make sure its not checked under Start > Control Panel > Region > "Administrative" tab > click the "Change system locale" button.