How to Fix the ‘0x80070bc4 No Printers Were Found’ Error

Introduction

Encountering the ‘0x80070bc4 No Printers Were Found’ error can be frustrating, especially when you need to print important documents. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to fix this error, from basic troubleshooting to more advanced solutions. Our goal is to get your printer back up and running in no time.

What Does the 0x80070bc4 Error Mean?

The ‘0x80070bc4 No Printers Were Found’ error typically indicates a problem with your printer’s connectivity or software configuration. It may prevent your printer from being detected by Windows, making it impossible to execute print jobs. The root cause could range from minor settings issues to corrupted system files, and we’ll explore how to address each possibility.

Preliminary Checks

Before diving into complex solutions, it’s essential to perform some preliminary checks:

1. Ensure the Printer is Powered On: Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most overlooked. Ensure your printer is plugged in and turned on.
2. Check Cable Connections: Verify all cables, including power and USB or network cables, are securely connected.
3. Restart Your Computer: A quick system reboot can sometimes resolve temporary software glitches.
4. Check Printer Status: Go to your Control Panel and open the ‘Devices and Printers’ section to ensure your printer is not set to offline or paused.

Once these basic factors are checked, if the error persists, you can proceed with more specific troubleshooting steps.

Troubleshooting Steps

Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler is a service that manages print jobs in Windows. Restarting this service can often resolve printer issues.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down to ‘Print Spooler’, right-click, and select ‘Restart’.

Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers might be causing the problem:

1. Open Device Manager by pressing Win + X and selecting it from the menu.
2. Locate your printer under the ‘Printers’ section, right-click, and select ‘Update Driver’.
3. If updating doesn’t work, consider uninstalling the printer and reinstalling it with the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.

Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can resolve common printer issues:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Select ‘Printer’ and run the troubleshooter.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to resolve any detected issues.

Advanced Solutions

If the basic troubleshooting steps do not resolve your issue, consider these advanced solutions.

Edit Registry Settings

Editing the Windows Registry can fix deeper issues but should be done with caution:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers.
3. Verify the settings and make necessary changes based on your printer configurations.

Reset Print Spooler Manually

Manually resetting the print spooler can clear persistent issues:

1. Open a Command Prompt as an Administrator.
2. Enter the following commands:
3. net stop spooler
4. del /Q /F /S "%systemroot%\System32\Spool\Printers\*.*"
5. net start spooler
6. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Dealing with Network Printers

Network printers introduce additional layers of complexity. Here’s how to troubleshoot issues specific to network printers.

Verify Network Connections

Ensure that your printer is connected to the same network as your computer:

1. Check your printer’s network settings to ensure it is connected to the correct network.
2. Use a Ping command to check the connection. Open a Command Prompt and type ping [Printer IP Address].

Re-add the Network Printer

Sometimes removing and re-adding the network printer can resolve issues:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2. Remove the network printer.
3. Add the printer again by selecting ‘Add a Printer’ and following the on-screen instructions.

Conclusion

Fixing the ‘0x80070bc4 No Printers Were Found’ error can be done through a series of both basic and advanced troubleshooting steps. By following this guide, you should be able to identify and resolve most issues, ensuring that your printer functions smoothly. If your problems persist after trying all the steps, it may be time to consult with a professional technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if the error persists after trying all the steps?

If the error persists, you may need to contact printer support or a professional technician for further diagnosis and repair. They can check for hardware issues or other underlying problems.

Can outdated Windows updates cause printer errors?

Yes, outdated Windows updates can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with your printer. Ensure your computer runs the latest Windows updates by going to `Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update`.

Is it safe to edit the registry settings to fix printer errors?

Editing the registry can be risky if not done correctly. Always back up your registry before making any changes and follow trusted guides or professional advice.