Windows 11 - Click on Add Device in Printers and Nothing happens

Hey Guys

Had a problem for a while now where i have not been able to print to either of our physical printers at home - they are both connected via Wired Ethernet to our network - my laptop is connected via WIFI (i have also tested it with a wired connection and no result)

Initially print jobs i was sending to either of the printers just sit in the print spooler at my laptop and not be processed.

These printers are both confirmed as working as the rest of my family use them on a daily basis (all from Windows PCs also)

I attempted to delete both printers and then readd them and thats when i found that nothing happens when i press the add button

I have checked eventvwr and there is a printer related entry

These events all coincide with the time i attempted to reinstall.



I can still print to PDFs

Is there a way to resest the whole print subsytem to defaults and start again.

In relation to another problem i was having with taskbar - i have performed a full sfc /scannow and dism restorehealth and neither of these have resolved the issue.

I have also performed an inplace upgrade using the ISO method in case of corrupt files.

THis is a Dell Precision 5540 with 64GB RAM and 2TB Sasmung 990 Pro

Craig

curto said:

I attempted to delete both printers

Click to expand...

Is there an option to uninstall (rather than Delete)? Use RevoUninstaller to see if drivers are listed, and uninstall them. Don't forget the Revo Advanced option after the uninstall to remove leftover files, folders and/or registry entries. Don't reboot until all processes are finished

Also check the Device Manager in the Control Panel for devices listed under Printers and Print Queues

Reboot, and try to (re)install printer(s)

idgat said:

Is there an option to uninstall (rather than Delete)? Use RevoUninstaller to see if drivers are listed, and uninstall them. Don't forget the Revo Advanced option after the uninstall to remove leftover files, folders and/or registry entries. Don't reboot until all processes are finished

Also check the Device Manager in the Control Panel for devices listed under Printers and Print Queues

Reboot, and try to (re)install printer(s)

Click to expand...

Nope no uninstall option - Delete/Remove was the only option.

I will try Revo and check Devmgr and report back
Thanks for jumping in so quickly

Craig

OK nothing in Device Manager as per below




When i run Revo uninstalller - there are no apps listed in relation to my printer (both Brother units) and i can not see anywhere to actually see the DLLs and delete individual ones ?


Craig

Download the printer installation/driver files from Brother and install the printers that way

Sorry should have listed that i have previously tried that and although it finds the printer and installs - it never prints. I have since completely removed them and cleaned up all the leftovers - i note it is not just the two brother printers at home - i tried a HP on a clients site the other day and same issue - so somehow it appears the Windows Printer subsystem is corrupted in some fashion

Craig

Start > print management > see if any ghost entries reside in there. If so, delete them, reboot and try to re-add the printers.