When trying to set a default printer in Microsoft Windows, you may encounter an error that says:
Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000709). Double click the printer name and make sure that the printer is connected to the network.
Another possible error when setting the default printers is:
Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000005). Access is denied.
To solve this problem, try the following.
- Hold the Windows Key and press “R” to bring up the Run window.
- Type “regedit“, then press “Enter” to bring up the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following location:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ Windows
- Right-click on the “Windows” folder, then choose “Permissions…“
- Highlight “Administrators“, then check the “Full Control” box, then click “OK“.
- Highlight your username, then check the “Full Control” box, then click “OK“.
- Delete the following registry values if they exist:
- Device
- LegacyDefaultPrinterMode
- UserSelectedDefault
- Try to set your default printer again. Hopefully this time it works!
PRO TIP
If the issue is with your computer or a laptop/notebook you should try using Reimage Plus which can scan the repositories and replace corrupt and missing files. This works in most cases, where the issue is originated due to a system corruption. You can download Reimage by Clicking Here
Shejil K S says
Thanks a lot. It worked for me.
mahdieyh says
why didn’t it work for me?
Loud Speaker says
Works like a charm. Thank you.
Uche says
Thanks a million. I am now looking like a miracle worker
yasir ali says
bundle of thanks the problem resolved.
Gnanesh says
Thank you so much it helped me.
Hashem says
Hi Dear
It worked very Gooooooooood , thank you so so so so much…
PRAVIN PRAJAPATI says
Great solution. working for me.
Thank you.!
Deejay Almir says
It worked. Thanks.
Clint says
Thanks for sharing, Didn’t work for me, But I was able to use the Add printer wizard from the Windows 10 Printers and Devices Windows. It let me install the printer by browsing to the share and selecting the needed printer, gives the option to Set as default and it installed and was the default printer.
Could not install the printer with File Explorer \\share\printer gave same error. Odd. Only in this new profile if logged on as myself it did install I was going to export my printer reg key as you showed the path above and then import it.
Bobby says
Thanks dear it worked, Good info Tc.
Krishna says
Thanks team! It really worked!👌👌
KishorP says
Thanks it worked
phoenix says
WOW. Thanks for this solution. It works.
Kunal Jain says
Thank You very much, this worked well for me too..
George says
You are a genius. I worked on this for month. Turned Internet upside down with all the error messages that appeared. Today I tried this “error 709 and ended up with your site. Solved the problem in a minute.
Thank you so much
Happy new year.
brian says
thanks. it worked instantly.
MUSTAFA says
Thank u soo much my problem has been solved.
great share keep it up bro.
Alfred says
If the error pops up ever after doing all the above steps, try restarting the computer. It worked for me.
MizaN says
Great solution
DILISH N D says
O.K ……………….Done Thank You very much…………….
Manikandan L says
Yes that works for me. It was really helpful. Thank you
ANIMESH DEBNATH says
really very useful trick. thank you dear admin
Muralli says
it’s worked. Thank you so much.
Vahid says
It worked , thank you so much
Mohomane Kefuwe says
Thank you very much, I manage to set a printer as a default.
Teejay says
i tried the steps as listed above but still getting the same error message.