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 Windows 7
 
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231338 views

Cannot Connect to my Printer -

Operation Failed with Error 0x00000002

TW

twntyfr7 asked on October 31, 2010

My printer was working with my laptop through a wireless network. Now I cannot print
or connect to my printer. I am still connected to the network, but I can't connect to the
printer. When I try to add it, I can see the printer name and I select it, but I get the error
"Windows cannot connect to the printer" [Operation Failed with error 0x00000002]. I
 changed from Windows Vista to Windows 7 several months ago, but I don't know if that
makes a difference (I think I've used the printer at least once since I've change). Please
help.
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VD

Vasco DaGama replied on March 25, 2011

In reply to Azeez N's post on February 3, 2011
Ive had the same issue.  win7-64bit trying to connect to printer on another win7-64bit
pc.

'windows cannot connect to printer'

'error code 0x00000002'

what worked for me:

right click computer, select manage
click 'services and applications', then click 'services'
scroll down to 'print spooler', right click and select 'properties'
click 'STOP' the service, then click 'START' service.

start the 'add printer' wizard and it was working, yay!

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 Azeez N replied on November 1, 2010
 Microsoft
Hi,
1. Are you able to share the files on the Windows 7 computer with the other computers
on the network?

2. How have you connected all the computers on the network?

If computers running on different versions of Windows are part of your network, it’s
important to use the same workgroup name for all of the computers on your network.
This makes it possible for computers running different versions of Windows to detect
and access each other. Remember that the default workgroup name is not the same in
all versions of Windows.

To change the workgroup name on a computer running Windows Vista or

Windows 7

   a. Open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking
Properties.
   b. Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, click Change settings.
   c. In System Properties, on the Computer Name tab, click Change.
   d. In Computer Name/Domain Changes, in Workgroup, type the name of the
workgroup you want to use, and then click OK. You will be prompted to restart your
computer.

Make sure your firewall allows file and printer sharing; follow the link given to check the
settings for the printer to be shared on the network.

Networking home computers running different versions of Windows 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-
different-versions-of-Windows

Share a printer 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Share-a-printer

Azeez Nadeem - Microsoft Support

[If this post was helpful, please click the "Vote as Helpful" (green triangle) button. If it
helps in resolving your issue, click "Propose As Answer" or "Mark as Answer" button. By
 proposing/marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer
faster.]

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 Answer

Azeez N replied on November 1, 2010

 Microsoft
Hi,
1. Are you able to share the files on the Windows 7 computer with the other computers
on the network?

2. How have you connected all the computers on the network?

If computers running on different versions of Windows are part of your network, it’s
important to use the same workgroup name for all of the computers on your network.
This makes it possible for computers running different versions of Windows to detect
and access each other. Remember that the default workgroup name is not the same in
all versions of Windows.

To change the workgroup name on a computer running Windows Vista or

Windows 7

   a. Open System by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking
Properties.
   b. Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, click Change settings.
   c. In System Properties, on the Computer Name tab, click Change.
   d. In Computer Name/Domain Changes, in Workgroup, type the name of the
workgroup you want to use, and then click OK. You will be prompted to restart your
computer.

Make sure your firewall allows file and printer sharing; follow the link given to check the
settings for the printer to be shared on the network.

Networking home computers running different versions of Windows 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-
 different-versions-of-Windows

Share a printer 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Share-a-printer

Azeez Nadeem - Microsoft Support

[If this post was helpful, please click the "Vote as Helpful" (green triangle) button. If it
helps in resolving your issue, click "Propose As Answer" or "Mark as Answer" button. By
proposing/marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer
faster.]

19 people found this helpful

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TW

twntyfr7 replied on November 16, 2010

In reply to Azeez N's post on November 1, 2010
I'm sorry, but I am confused.
My desktop has a hardline internet connection with a modem and wireless router. The
laptop is connected to the internet through the router. The wireless network that the
laptop belongs to is the same as the router (detected wireless network). The desktop is
connected to the printer via wire, and the laptop needs to connect wirelessly. The printer
used to work and it shows up in the available printers folder, but when it's select it and
try to print something I get an error (it asks me to restart the spooler). The
troubleshooter does not find anything.
Can you please walk me through the steps to get the printer to work on my laptop?
The laptop has Windows 7 and the desktop has Vista.
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 PH

philbx replied on January 29, 2011

In reply to twntyfr7's post on November 16, 2010
I have almost the identical problem as twntyfr7. The problem remains after trying all the
above steps (as well as anything else found on the web) to remedy the issue. The
problem remains. As the problem only started after the system with the shared printer
attached was upgraded from XP, I can only conclude that this is a bug in Win7. Is there a
fix in the works?
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Azeez N replied on February 3, 2011

 Microsoft

In reply to philbx's post on January 29, 2011

Hi twntyfr7 and philbx,
 
What is the name and model number of your printer?
 
As of today there is no fix released by Microsoft to resolve the issue. However, there are
couple of steps/workarounds that you may try.
 
Step 1:
 
I'd suggest you download Vista printer drivers for your Windows 7 operating system,
install and run them in compatibility mode .
 
Step 2:
 
You may also follow the suggestion suggested by Alan Morris (Monday, December 21,
2009 8:20 AM) in the below link.
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7hardware/thread/348a088a-b37b-
4b39-b391-c0e79b84ca82
 
Step 3:
 Check the spooler service :

a. Click Start, Type "Services.msc" in the search box

b. In Services, right-click Print Spooler and then click Properties.

c. Click the Dependencies tab. The first box lists all of the system services that must be
running for Print Spooler to start. These are the dependencies.

d. Make a note of each service, click OK and then start each service upon which Print
Spooler is dependent, if the service is not already started. If a service was not started,
right-click it, click Properties and then confirm that the Startup type is Automatic.
 
Azeez Nadeem - Microsoft Support

[If this post was helpful, please click the "Vote as Helpful" (green triangle) button. If it
helps in resolving your issue, click "Propose As Answer" or "Mark as Answer" button. By
proposing/marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer
faster.]

6 people found this helpful

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 Answer

VD

Vasco DaGama replied on March 25, 2011

In reply to Azeez N's post on February 3, 2011
Ive had the same issue.  win7-64bit trying to connect to printer on another win7-64bit
pc.

'windows cannot connect to printer'

'error code 0x00000002'

what worked for me:

right click computer, select manage
 click 'services and applications', then click 'services'
scroll down to 'print spooler', right click and select 'properties'
click 'STOP' the service, then click 'START' service.

start the 'add printer' wizard and it was working, yay!

571 people found this helpful

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PV

Pepe V replied on May 11, 2011

In reply to Vasco DaGama's post on March 25, 2011
Great!.. that actually worked for me !.. Good Job!
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US

user77a replied on June 13, 2011

In reply to Vasco DaGama's post on March 25, 2011
Thank you...
Worked perfectly...
June 2011
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JT

J. Tiburzi replied on July 31, 2011

In reply to Vasco DaGama's post on March 25, 2011
Thanks!
I'm sure I would've wasted alot of time figuring this one out without your help.
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PA

PamalaKnowlton replied on September 5, 2011

I have the same problem but with a twist. I have 3 computers on a home wireless
network, all running Windows 7 (64 bit). I had to replace an old  printer and decided to
get one with wireless capability. I had no problem with my Dell desktop and Sony Vaio
laptop. But the HP pc my kids use says it can't detect the printer, and stops installation
with error code 0x00000002. All three computers have Norton antivirus software, I
thought it might be the firewall on the HP. I am going to try Vasco DeGama's remedy
posted here as soon as I can. The weird part is that the HP says it can't detect the printer,
but lists the printer on the devices page. I tried to print something to see if it would
work, the program said a driver was missing. I tried updating the driver, and Windows
said it was up to date!
I will post update when I have something to report.
2 people found this helpful
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SA
 saotey replied on September 5, 2011
In reply to PamalaKnowlton's post on September 5, 2011
I have the same problem but with a twist. I have 3 computers on a home wireless
network, all running Windows 7 (64 bit). I had to replace an old  printer and decided
to get one with wireless capability. I had no problem with my Dell desktop and Sony
Vaio laptop. But the HP pc my kids use says it can't detect the printer, and stops
installation with error code 0x00000002. All three computers have Norton antivirus
software, I thought it might be the firewall on the HP. I am going to try Vasco
DeGama's remedy posted here as soon as I can. The weird part is that the HP says it
can't detect the printer, but lists the printer on the devices page. I tried to print
something to see if it would work, the program said a driver was missing. I tried
updating the driver, and Windows said it was up to date!
I will post update when I have something to report.

I have same problem   2 win 7 desktops and 1 xp laptop  work fine,  2 win 7 laptops dont
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