Getting Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer, Access is denied or the Error would be different Windows cannot connect to the printer. Operation failed with error 0x0000007e While Add a Shared printer on a local Network using Add printer feature? This issue occurs because, after the printer is installed, Windows 10 or Windows 7 incorrectly looks for the Mscms.dll file in a subfolder different than the windows\system32 subfolder. If you Are also Suffer with Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer Error here apply bellow solutions to fix the issue.

Also Some times This Error occur if the Print spooler service is stucked, has a document pending in the que locked, And the most common one corrupted or outdated and improper printer Driver installation. specifically the incorrect installation pushes the printer and the system to look for files in a subfolder different then windows\system32 subfolder.

Fix Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer

After understand What is this Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer Error and the reason behind this Error, let’s apply Bellow solutions to get rid of this Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer Error And install shared printer without any error.

Copy mscms.dll manually

Manually copy the mscms.dll file to driver installation folder is the best working solution to fix this issue. As we discussed the main Reason For this Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer Error Mscms.dll file. This mscms.dll is a color module which maybe failing to reach its destination folder. You Can copy this mscms.dll file manually to fix this issue.

To copy it manually, Open C:\Windows\system32 and find the file “mscms.dll“. Right click on it and select copy.

copy the mscms.dll file

Now, if you have a 32 bit Windows installed, navigate to the following folder and paste the previously copied mscms.dll file in it:

C:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\

And, If you have a 64 bit Windows installed, navigate to the following folder and paste the previously copied file in it:

C:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\x64\3\

Reboot your windows computer to save changes and again try to connect to the remote printer again. If it doesn’t connect, re-add the printer and test. This should help you Fix Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer issue, if not then fallow next solution.

Restart Print Spooler Service

Also Some times stucked print spooler service cause Different issues, and may this Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer error is one of them. Restart The Print spooler service is the good solution to fix this issue.

To Restart the print spooler Service first press Win + R then Type Services.msc and hit enter key. This will open Windows services here scroll down then look for print spooler service and double-click on it. Here make sure the startup type is set to Automatic if not change it to Automatic as shown bellow image.

restart print spooler service

Then look for Service status, if its running then click Stop button, To stop the service, And Start the service again using Start button. That’s all click apply and ok to make save changes. After that, add the printer again and see if the problem persists.

Create a New Local Port

Also Create a new local port for the shared printer will help to fix printer installation Error, windows cannot connect to the printer.

To Create a New Local Port first open Control panel -> Hardware and Sound then click on Devices and Printers. Here Click Add a printer from the top menu.

Windows will scan for available shared printers on local network, If you don’t see you printer listed click the link which says “The printer that I want isn’t listed.“ Here From the next screen select “Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings” and click Next.

add a local printer or network printer
add a local printer or network printer

Select Create a new port and then from type of port drop-down select Standrd TCP / IP Port and then click Next. Here Type the printer’s address in Printers port name field in the following format:

\\IP address or the Computer Name\Printers Name

For example \\192.168.1.50\HP LaserJet Pro M1136

Note : Type the IP address or computer name where the shared printer physically installed. For network printer type the IP address of the printer.

If you don’t know the IP Address of the computer where the printer is physically connected to and shared from, Hold Windows Key and Press R. Now type cmd in the run dialog and press enter. Type ipconfig in the black window and press enter. Look for IPv4 Address for the computer’s IP in the black window.

add a new port
add a new port

Now click OK and then click Next. Select your printer model from the directory to install its drivers, Click Next. If you have a disk, insert the disk, click “Have Disk” and browse to the driver’s location in the disk. Click OKType in a name for your new printer. Click Next. Print a test page to check its connection. And click Finish.

Delete Incompatible Printer Drivers

Some Times The problem can be caused due to incompatible printer drivers. Also An installation of previous printer can prevent the printer spooler from adding new printers.  So you can try to remove these outdated drivers and re-install them again.

You can do the by Press Win + R then type printmanagement.msc and hit Enter. This will open print management, here From the left pane, click All Drivers.

Delete Incompatible Printer Drivers
Delete Incompatible Printer Drivers

Now in the right window pane, right-click on the printer driver and click Delete. If you see more than one printer driver names, repeat the above steps.

Then Restart windows and Again try to add the printer and install its drivers. Hope This time you install printer without Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer error.

Tweak Windows Registry

Registry are essential part of your computer. Modifying registry keys incorrectly may cause serious system problems. So before you get started, it is recommended To Create a system restore point so you can restore it in case any problems occurs.

First press Win + R then type regedit and hit enter key, This will open Windows registry Editor. Now In the left panenavigate to the following key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Print\Printers\*YOUR PRINTER’S NAME*\CopyFiles

Delete the “ICM” folder which is under the “CopyFiles” folder. Then close registry editor and restart windows to take effect the changes you have made. Now again try connecting to the printer see problem fixed this time.

Registry Tweak

If first option failed to fix then here another registry Tweak, First open windows services and stop the print spooler service. Then navigate to the following key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Providers\Client Side Rendering Print Provider

registry tweak to fix add printer error
registry tweak to fix add printer error

Here right-click on Client Side Rendering Print Provider and select Delete. again start Printer Spooler service and reboot your PC to save changes.

These are some best working solutions to Fix Windows cannot connect to the printer 0x00000057, windows cannot connect to the printer, Access is denied Error on Windows 10 Computer. I hope After apply these solutions your problem windows cannot connect to the printer will get solved. Still have any query suggestion About this windows cannot connect to the printer Error feel free to discuss on comments below.

Robeg
I am Robeg founder of this blog. My qualification. completed Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). With a strong background in computer applications love write articles on Microsoft Windows (11, 10, etc.) Cybersecurity, WordPress and more.