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How to Fix Windows Printer Error 0x0000011b

How to Fix Windows Printer Error 0x0000011b

March 20, 2023 by Madalina Dinita 49 Comments

Printing out your documents on Windows 10 or Windows 11 should be an easy task. You need to open your document and click the Print option or press the Ctrl and P keys. Unfortunately, printer error 0x0000011b may sometimes ruin your plans preventing you from connecting to your printer.

One of the best things about your Windows 11 PC is you can connect it to a networked printer for shared printer usage. Thus, you don’t need to buy individual printers at home, school, or work for printing purposes. But networked printing isn’t as easy as it sounds. Hackers are out there to target your Windows 11 PC and its printer network to infiltrate your personal or business files.

To prevent this, Microsoft pushed a new security patch to all Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs. Though it did a great job in stopping hackers from intruding on your business or home computers, the networked printing system got broken for many users. Nothing to worry about it now as I’m going to share quick fixes below step-by-step so you can get back to work in no time.

What Is Windows Printer Error 0x0000011b?

The printer error 0x0000011b is a bug in the Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 operating systems. It prevents your computer from connecting to a networked printer. A networked printer is a printer connected to an office, school, or home network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi routers. Any of the following versions of the error may show up when you try to connect your Windows PC with a shared printer or give a print command to a networked printer:

Error Windows cannot connect to the printer
Error Windows cannot connect to the printer
  • Windows cannot connect to the printer
Error Operation failed with error 0x0000011b
Error Operation failed with error 0x0000011b
  • Operation failed with error 0x0000011b
  • Add Printer: Windows cannot connect to the printer. Printer error 0x0000011b

The problem started occurring to many Windows 11, Windows 10, etc., devices when Microsoft released the CVE-2021-1678 vulnerability security patch via over-the-air updates. The CVE-2021-1678 security loophole allowed hackers to use the Microsoft Remote Procedure Call (MSRPC) printer spooler to run malicious scripts on your Windows 11 or 10 PC remotely. CrowdStrike researchers discovered this serious threat for the first time.

Also read: Top 10 Best D-Link Routers

The CVE-2021-1678 vulnerability mitigation patch started causing the printer error 0x0000011b on those Windows PCs that are not in a Windows domain with Kerberos setup. In large businesses and schools, the IT admin mainly uses a Windows domain network system to connect client computers, host servers, and shared printers. But in homes, small businesses, local shops, cyber cafes, etc., Windows domain networking is unavailable since it demands extra investments. Therefore, the “Operation failed with error 0x0000011b” error is prevalent in small networked organizations, schools, shops, or homes.

Also read: How to Share Network Printer

Now that you know the Windows 11 printer error 0x0000011b in detail, follow the troubleshooting steps below to get rid of this annoying error code.

Fix Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer Error 0x0000011b

There are several methods to fix the “Operation failed with error 0x0000011b” or the “Printer error 0x0000011b” error. However, the following are the most effective ones:

Restart Printer Spooler

An instant fix is stopping the Printer Spooler process and restarting it. Here’s how it’s done:

  • Open the Task Manager tool by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys altogether.
  • Now find and expand the process named Spooler SubSystem App.
  • Upon expanding this process, you get the Printer Spooler task.
  • Right-click the task and choose Open Services.
  • The Services tool will open. Keep it as is.
Resolve Printer error 0x0000011b by stopping Printer Spooler
Resolve Printer error 0x0000011b by stopping Printer Spooler
  • Come back to the Task Manager tool and right-click again on Printer Spooler.
  • This time, choose Stop.
  • Now, head over to the Services utility and find the Printer Spooler service.
Resolve Printer error 0x0000011b by restarting Printer Spooler
Resolve Printer error 0x0000011b by restarting Printer Spooler
  • Right-click the service and select Start from the context menu.

Now start connecting to or printing from a networked printer. You shouldn’t face the “Printer error 0x0000011b” warning. If the issue comes back after a system restart, follow the rest of the troubleshooting methods.

Apply All Windows 11 Pending Updates

Since the root cause of the “Operation failed with error 0x0000011b” issue is a few Windows Security updates, you must apply all the pending updates and then remove the defective Windows Security updates. Here’s how to apply pending updates:

  • Use the hotkey Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  • Click Windows Update on the left-side navigation pane.
How to update Windows 11
How to update Windows 11
  • Now, either click Check for updates or Download & install updates button.
  • Once the update download and installation are complete, Windows 11 will ask you to restart the device.

Now that you’ve applied all the latest Windows 11 updates, use the following steps to remove the buggy Windows Security updates.

Uninstall Recent Windows Updates

If the “Printer error 0x0000011b” warning started showing up after installing the latest Windows Security updates, uninstalling those should help mitigate the issue. Many Windows 11 users confirmed that uninstalling KBKB5005565 and KB5005568 fixed the problem. Here’s how to do this:

  • Launch the Control Panel tool by typing Control in the Windows Search panel.
  • Click on the Uninstall a program option.
View installed updates path
View installed updates path
  • Now, select the View installed updates link.
How to uninstall Windows updates
How to uninstall Windows updates
  • Select the latest updates, mainly KB5005565 and KB5005568, and hit the Uninstall button.
  • The alternative way to uninstall Windows Updates is via the Settings app > Windows Update > Update history > Related settings > Uninstall updates.

Moreover, you can also use the Command Prompt tool to remove recently installed Windows Updates. Here’s how it’s done:

  • Click the Start button and type Command.
  • Select the Run as administrator link from the right-side menu.
  • Now, copy and paste the following codes into Command Prompt and hit Enter:
wusa /uninstall /kb:KB5005565
wusa /uninstall /kb:KB5005568

Uninstalling select Windows Updates using command prompt tool
Uninstalling select Windows Updates using the Command Prompt tool
  • You must execute the above codes one at a time.

After uninstalling the updates, check if your computer can connect to your printer. If the printer error 0x0000011b persists, install your printer using its IP address.

By the way, you may want to temporarily disable auto-updates. When you restart your computer, Windows will automatically download and install the latest updates, triggering the “Operation failed with error 0x0000011b” issue again.

Manually Add the Printer Using Its IP Address

You can follow the manual method to add a networked printer to bypass the “Printer error 0x0000011b” issue. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Go to the Windows 11 Settings app and click the Bluetooth & devices link from the left-side panel.
  • Now, you must see all the added devices to your Windows 11 PC.
  • Select the Printers & scanners menu to view all the added printers.
  • Here, find the networked printer that shows the error 0x0000011b.
How to remove a printer on Windows 11
How to remove a printer on Windows 11
  • Select the printer and click the Remove button in the top-right corner.

So far, you uninstalled the troubled printer from your PC. Now, follow these steps to add it again. But this time, you must add the device using its hostname or TCP/IP protocol addresses. Give the following steps a try:

  • Go back to the Settings tool.
  • Again, select the Bluetooth and Devices option.
  • Scroll down to Printers & scanners and select the menu.
  • Now, click on the Add device button to add a printer or scanner.
Adding a printer manually
Adding a printer manually
  • Click on the link Add manually beside the narration The printer that I want isn’t listed.
Add a printer using IP or hostname in Windows 11
Add a printer using IP or hostname in Windows 11
  • Inside the Add Printer dialog box, select Add a printer using an IP address or hostname. Click Next as well.
  • Now, you need to choose two things: the Device type and Hostname or IP address.
  • Hit Next to connect your computer to your printer.
  • Print a test page to check if your printer works as intended.

This is another sureshot way to fix the “Printer error 0x0000011b” issue. However, should keep facing the issue repeatedly after Windows 11 restart or update, you may want to disable the CVE-2021-1678 Windows Security patch from the Registry Editor as mentioned below:

Disable Print Spooler RPC Encryption or CVE-2021-1678 Fix

Before you go ahead with this method, you must know that you should disable the CVE-2021-1678 fix if you’re certain that you’re using one of the best antivirus for Windows 11. Also, Registry Editor tweaks come with added complexities. You may accidentally modify other Registry keys or values which in turn may cripple the system. Thus, follow the steps mentioned carefully. If unsure, don’t apply the Registry fix yourself.

To fix the error code 0x0000011b related to networked or shared printers, Microsoft says you should disable the print spooler privacy settings on both the Client PC (from which you work) and Print Server (Workstation to which the printer is attached). When the RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled Registry key is set to 1, Windows automatically encrypts RPC communication with network printers and print servers. Disable this option to get rid of error code 0x0000011b. Here’s how:

  • Hit Windows + R keys to open the Run command tool.
  • Type regedit in the Open command box and hit Enter.
  • The Registry Editor tool will open.
  • Navigate to the Print Registry key directory either manually or by entering the following path into the Registry Editor address field:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print

Creating a new registry value in the Registry Editor on Windows 11
Creating a new registry value in the Registry Editor on Windows 11
  • Right-click on the Print key and select New→  DWORD-32 bit Value.
  • Name the new key as RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled.
Create a new RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled value to fix Printer error 0x0000011b
Create a new RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled value to fix Printer error 0x0000011b
  • Double-click on the new key and set its value to 0 (zero).
  • Restart your computer.
  • Perform the above steps on the host printer server as well.

Now, try to print again and see if it works. If you couldn’t connect to the networked printer yet, try connecting the printer and then print a test page.

Conclusion

So far, you’ve gone through various sureshot methods to fix the “Printer error 0x0000011b” and “Operation failed with error 0x0000011b” errors. At the time of writing, there’s no permanent fix unless you modify your complete home or business network into a Windows domain network with Kerberos set up. If you’re unable to move to an enterprise Windows networking domain, you must try a few of the above fixes to keep the client device connected with the networked printer. If you know any other tricks and tips to fix error 0x0000011b, don’t forget to comment. Also, share this article with your friends and colleagues to help them out with this infamous Windows printer error.

Next up, how to fix the unable to install printer error.

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Filed Under: Windows

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Edith Tapic says

    April 4, 2023 at 2:24 am

    Yes! Thank you very much! The above procedures worked for me. Thanks and more blessings!

  2. Vic says

    March 28, 2023 at 2:12 pm

    Yes, REGISTRY HACK it’s OK. Don’t forget to do the same on the PC that shares the printer, commonly the “server”.
    Won’t work if you don’t do that on both machines.

    Thank you very much for this tutorial!

  3. J says

    March 24, 2023 at 9:43 pm

    Literally nothing works. I have tried every suggestion from at least 10 websites, including things mentioned in comments.

    This computer will not connect to my printer over the network. Period.

    It works the other way around! If I plug it into this machine the other PC can print over the network just fine.

  4. avinash a says

    October 7, 2022 at 6:27 am

    Thank u it is working fine

  5. Linda Lawrie says

    September 23, 2022 at 2:30 pm

    Registry by itself did not fix the issue. However, stopping and starting the print spooler (or restarting I guess) on the host computer did.

    Thanks! (previous comment can be removed)

  6. Linda says

    September 23, 2022 at 2:12 pm

    Registry edit did not help for us.

  7. Gitau says

    September 17, 2022 at 3:03 am

    Worked very fine, thanks

  8. Khalid says

    September 16, 2022 at 12:21 pm

    I did by disabling the spooler, couldn’t find the updates and some old updates can’t be uninstalled!
    thank you so much!

  9. Guvnor says

    September 13, 2022 at 3:04 am

    Worked on this for days with no luck and this RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled fix worked a charm! Thank you for this.

  10. Behnam says

    September 6, 2022 at 9:29 am

    That Registry Edit Fixed my Long Term Issue.

  11. Paul says

    August 16, 2022 at 8:14 am

    The registry edit fixed the problem for me.

  12. Akhil Krishnan says

    August 11, 2022 at 8:22 am

    That registry edit fixed my long term issue.

  13. LeAnn says

    August 5, 2022 at 12:32 am

    WHY SHOULD WE UNINSTALL WINDOWS UPDATES? Can the smart people at Windows not just anticipate that this will happen, and work smarter?

  14. Hyacinth Nnaemeka says

    July 29, 2022 at 8:51 am

    Thanks for sharing
    The registry key option fixed it
    Helped me solved a lingering problem where am supporting

  15. Karel Sama says

    July 20, 2022 at 10:27 pm

    Yeah I would say thanks alot for the solution. Just Edit the registry and it worked

  16. Tormod says

    July 11, 2022 at 2:12 am

    Just doing the Registry editor fixed it for me, thanks It took me ages to find this fix, you the man
    Have book mark your page.

  17. Aloise Ndengeri says

    July 7, 2022 at 4:03 am

    Excellent. thank you very much …..its now working after 6 months of always shifting the data cable and uninstalling security updates..the registry one is just genius

  18. Soumen says

    July 2, 2022 at 6:45 am

    Registry editor helped, thanks a lot

  19. Justin says

    June 27, 2022 at 2:25 pm

    I never thought it would but I tried anyway and the registry change fixed it!

  20. Eddie Gonzalez says

    June 18, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    Thank you so much.
    Disabling the Print Spooler RPC Encryption on host and remote computers with Reg edit worked!

  21. KAS says

    June 17, 2022 at 3:56 am

    It works on registry method. Took weeks to solved this problem. Thanks for tips.

  22. Bhavesh patel says

    May 28, 2022 at 12:31 pm

    It’s working process

    Thanks

  23. Gaiyoor Shaikh says

    May 17, 2022 at 1:15 pm

    Thanks alot for the tips ….
    The error taken approx 1 hour.

  24. SAYNEEL says

    May 10, 2022 at 12:35 am

    Amazing the registry fix is works for me also.

  25. Md Nizam Uddin says

    April 27, 2022 at 1:05 am

    RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled this option work me….thanks

  26. Michael ILOFF says

    April 24, 2022 at 10:03 pm

    RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled=0 in both machines was the home run. It saved me!

  27. Marcin says

    April 15, 2022 at 3:53 am

    Moderator, can you remove my last commant please? I typed it in wrong printer issue ;)

  28. Marcin says

    April 15, 2022 at 3:50 am

    For me worked running Malwarebytes on the computer, sems there was soma malware couseing the issue

  29. jay says

    April 12, 2022 at 3:03 am

    superbbb ! its worked

    thanks

  30. SB says

    April 5, 2022 at 9:52 am

    I did the registry fix on my print server, had my clients reboot and they can print again. Thanks!!

  31. Kris Benzon says

    March 30, 2022 at 10:26 pm

    By disabling RPC Encryptions in registry worked for me. Thank you very much for this!

  32. Arif says

    March 22, 2022 at 7:07 am

    Wow i spend 4 hours to resolve this issue. Thks for this tips. Works greate!!!

  33. Herry says

    March 9, 2022 at 3:14 am

    Disable Print Spooler RPC Encryption
    It works…. thank you so much ^_^

  34. John says

    March 2, 2022 at 6:27 am

    2 months I’v been poncing about with this issue, purchased USB Network printer adapter and every darrned thing, Thank you so much for fix, much appriciated :)

  35. Greg says

    February 19, 2022 at 2:02 am

    Yes. Registry edit option worked for me. Great result.

  36. Selaras says

    February 18, 2022 at 1:13 am

    I had this problem on my office for months and gave up on it, until now I tried to solve it again and your solution is the best! it works well thank you so much!!

  37. Paterno says

    February 6, 2022 at 8:37 pm

    Hello! I tried all the instruction but still I cannot connect to a network printer.

  38. M'Lu McNeill says

    February 5, 2022 at 9:07 am

    Disabling the Print Spooler RPC Encryption solved the problem for me!!! You rock, this has been driving me crazy!!! I disabled this on both computers, (trying to connect to the shared printer is what was failing) and voila, its working!! Many thanks to you!

  39. Steve says

    January 31, 2022 at 9:50 am

    Disabling the Print Spooler RPC Encryption solved the problem for me! Thanks so much!! None of the other solutions worked.

  40. Ir. Mohamad Syafiq Senin says

    January 30, 2022 at 9:26 pm

    Thank You So Much…

    This Is Works For Me…..

  41. Frank Rakoczy says

    January 20, 2022 at 5:38 pm

    I, too, have been searching for the “Printer not connected” error. I finally found your solution on line and it also was the “Disable Print Spooler RPC Encryption” fix.
    The printer had been connected until one of the Windows 10 udates fixed that.
    Thanx for your help. (I can keep the rest of my 80 year old hair, which isn’t much.)

  42. ganesh says

    January 13, 2022 at 11:08 pm

    Best solution Use networking LAN connectivity printer .. i am always fed up in Microsoft product they release updates we sacrifice our energy for these types of stuff .

  43. Stacy Bennett says

    December 29, 2021 at 10:52 am

    Finally, a fix that worked! Thank you!

  44. Al says

    December 18, 2021 at 4:44 pm

    Yes!! Disabling printo spooler on both machines and bam I could add the network printer. Every other “help” page said the obvious. Many thanks.

  45. W D Fischer says

    December 17, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    WOW! This worked for me! I had all but given up hope but this Reg Edit did the job after me pulling my hair out for months!

    Thank You/Thank You/Thank You

  46. ROCHEL BONNE ANNEE says

    November 29, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    The last Is Maching for me (The regedit Editor…)

  47. André Henrique says

    November 19, 2021 at 8:27 am

    Hello Shirley Dubbelman, how are you?
    Where is this “Disable Print Spooler Privacy Settings” option? Is it a group policy? I’m using Windows 10, but I got the same problem in Windows 11 on other PCs

  48. Shirley Dubbelman says

    November 17, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    Hello, I did not seem to have either of the updates mentioned and wasn’t keen to start deleting windows security updates that weren’t mentioned.
    I did the “Disable Print Spooler Privacy Settings” instead and this worked.
    Thanks for the tip.

  49. Titus Gunarto says

    November 15, 2021 at 10:33 pm

    I used Disable Print Spooler RPC Encryption to solve the problem and it worked at first but, error 0x00000011b happened again after shutdown and turn it up again the day after

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