Recently, a few users have complained of getting an error code 0x00004005 when they try to add a network printer to their computers. You might get an error message saying “Windows can’t connect to the printer, the operation failed with error 0x00004005.
You usually get this error due to stopped print spooled service or outdated drivers. But that’s not always the case, it can also appear due to misconfigurations in the network settings. Whatever the reason is there are solutions to this error.
Basic Troubleshooting solutions
Before jumping into advanced troubleshooting, here are some basic troubleshooting solutions that might fix error code 0x00004005
- Make sure to check your network connection.
- Check the connection of the printer and sure it is properly connected to the computer. Check the working condition of the printer, as minor issues can lead to couch errors.
- Make sure your devices are updated to the latest version. Old versions don’t support the printer.
- Make sure to check the windows registry to fix all the corrupted files.
- Run the System File Checker.
If you still get the error, changing some settings and a few modifications can solve the issue. Follow the steps thoroughly to get rid of this error.
Restart the print spooler service
Check your print spooler service, as it allows you to connect your printer to your computer. Make sure it is enabled for printers to run seamlessly. Check if it is working properly or not. Follow the below steps to restart the print spooler service:
- Press Windows +R key simultaneously to open the run dialog box.
- Type ” services.msc” and press Enter.
- Scroll down and double-click on the Print Spooler Services option.
- Make sure the startup type is in automatic mode.
- Click on the Start button, if the status of the service is shown as stopped. If the status of service shows running, first stop the service and then start it again.
- Now, click Ok to save the above configuration.
- Once done, restart your system.
Now check if the error 0x00004005 is resolved or not.
Uninstall the latest cumulative update
If you have recently installed a cumulative update on your system which hasn’t been installed properly, try uninstalling the latest update to fix printer error 0x00004005. Here’s how to uninstall a recently installed update on your system:
Win 11 :
- Press Windows + I key simultaneously to launch settings.
- Select Windows Update and click Update History from the right pane.
- Make a note of the most recent cumulative update in the Quality Updates section.
- Scroll down and click on the Uninstall updates option.
Win 10 :
- Press Windows + I key simultaneously to open the preferences window.
- Select Windows Update and click Update History from the right pane.
- Click on the View update history button.
- Scroll down and click on the Uninstall Updates.
Once you click on the Uninstall Updates option, your system will redirect you to Control Panel. Follow the below instructions, when the control panel starts up:
- Click on Uninstall a Program option in the left pane.
- A list of all the latest updates will appear, right-click on the recent installed update. Click on Uninstall.
- Click Yes if any warning message pops up.
- Your system will automatically restart and start uninstalling the update.
- Wait until the cumulative update is uninstalled successfully.
After successful uninstallation, restart your computer. Now check if the error still persists.
You can try this alternative way by using CMD to uninstall the recently installed updates from your system. Here’s how you can do that:
- Open the Command Prompt on your system.
- Copy and paste the following code and press Enter.
wusa /uninstall /kb:5006670
If the knowledge base number is different in your case, use this number in the following format kb_colon_kb number, that is, kb: 5006670.
After successfully completing these steps, restart your systems and see if the error still persists.
Run the printer troubleshooter
If you still get the error after uninstalling the update, try troubleshooting your printer. Follow these steps to do so:
- Press Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the settings app.
- Select Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
- On the new window, click on More troubleshooter from the right pane.
- Expand the Printer in the getting started section and click Run the troubleshooter.
- Select the Printer that is not working while running the troubleshooter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
- Restart your system and see if the error 0x00004005 is resolved or not. If not, try the next solution.
Update printer driver
If you have an outdated driver, it can cause errors as drivers play important role in running your printer seamlessly. Make sure to keep your printer drivers updated. Here’s how you can update your printer drivers:
- Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.
- Once Device Manager appears on the screen, find the Printer in the list.
- Right-click on the Printer and select the Update Driver option.
- Click Search for drivers automatically on the next screen.
- Let the system find and install pending updates that it finds online.
- After updating, restart your system.
You should also update any drivers present in the Network Adapter option. It will fix any network issues that you might come across while printing documents.
Install and reinstall the driver
You get error 0x00004005 if installed printer drivers in the system are corrupted. You get the necessary drivers in a CD when you buy a new printer. Try reinstalling the drivers that came with the printer. If you’ve lost the CD or didn’t get it at the time of purchase, get the drivers by visiting the manufacturer’s official website.
Here’s how you can uninstall the drivers.
- Right-click on the Start menu of your system.
- Choose Device Manager.
- Go to the Printer and double-click on it to expand.
- On the device right-click and select Uninstall device option.
- Click on the Uninstall option.
Restart your system. After uninstalling the drivers, reinstall them by inserting the driver’s CD. Download and install drivers for your printer and see if it solves error 0x00004005.
Configure the LAN Manager authentication level
Sometimes you get error code 0x00004005 due to incorrect network configuration. It’s suggested to configure the LAN manager authentication level, follow the below steps to do so:
- Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type gpedit.msc in the text box and press Enter.
- When the Local Group Policy window opens up, follow this path: Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings >Local Policies > Security Options
- Locate the policy – “Network Security: LAN Manager Authentication Level” by moving to the right pane. Double click on it to edit this policy.
- Choose Send LM & NTLM – Use NTLMv2 Session Security if Negotiated from the drop-down menu.
- Click Apply, then OK to save changes.
- Restart your system and check if the error still occurs while printing documents.
Manually add printer in Windows 10
If the error 0x00004005 still hasn’t been fixed, we suggest you re-configure the printer and manually add it to your device again. Here’s how you can manually set up a printer on your system:
- Launch Control Panel.
- Then go to Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.
- Then click on the Add a printer option.
- In the Add, a device window hit the “The printer that I want is not listed” link.
- Check the Add a local or network printer with manual settings check box and hit Next.
- Type your local port number in the “Use an existing port” field and click “OK”.
- Alternatively, you can also choose to Create New Port as well.
- Click on Windows Update and let the system add your printer to your system.
- Then, click Next and the printer will connect to your device.
Now that you have manually connected your printer, try printing a document to check if the print job is successful.
Install Repair Tool App
If nothing works for you, try downloading and installing the Repair Tool App to fix the error 0x00004005. Here’s how you can do it:
- Choose a reliable third-party repair tool. Go to their official website and download it. Install it on your system.
- Scan the window, once the tool is installed.
- The scanning process will detect all errors which also including your current error.
- Now click on the repair option and the error will disappear automatically.
- Restart your system to check if the error is resolved or still occurs.
This bring us to the end of our guide on how to fix “Operation failed with error 0x00004005” when using printer. If you have any questions or suggestions related to this guide, let us know in the comments section below.