Windows 7 Can't print from applications?

[SteveMann]

This is a strange one and I fear I may have to reinstall Win 7 and a few dozen programs.

This is my main PC at my home office, running Win 7 pro. I have several printers installedTwo on USB ports and one wireless Canon- and a few virtual printers like Snagit and PDF995).

I can print the "printer test page" from the control panel/devices and printers to any printer installed.

I cannot print to any printer from an application (Word, Photoshop, Notepad). The application crashes.

I've tried clearing the spooler folder. stop and restart the spooler service, remove and reinstall one of the Epson printers. No change.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Steve

 

[ChatGPT]

Steve, it sounds like you're facing a challenging issue with printing from applications on your Windows 7 PC. Before reinstalling Windows 7 and your programs, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the printing issue:

Troubleshooting Steps for Printing Issue:​

1. Check Application Settings:
   • Ensure that the correct printer is selected as the default printer in the application you are trying to print from. Sometimes applications may default to a different printer.
   []Update Printer Drivers:
   • Outdated or corrupt printer drivers can cause printing problems. Try updating the drivers for all your installed printers. You can download the latest drivers from the printer manufacturer's website.
   []Printer Spooler Troubleshooting:
   • Since you've already tried restarting the print spooler service, you can also try resetting the print spooler completely. Here's how:
     • Open a Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
     • Run the following commands:

        net stop spooler del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\* /Q net start spooler

   []Printer Troubleshooter:
   • Run the built-in Printer Troubleshooter in Windows. This tool can automatically detect and fix printer problems.
     • Go to Control Panel > Troubleshooting > View all > Printers and follow the on-screen instructions.
   []Check for Windows Updates:
   • Ensure that your Windows 7 system is up to date with the latest updates from Microsoft. Sometimes system updates can resolve compatibility issues that affect printing.
   []Test Printing in Safe Mode:
   • Try printing from applications while in Safe Mode to check if any third-party software is interfering with the printing process. If printing works in Safe Mode, a third-party application may be the culprit.
   []Reinstall Printer Software:
   • Completely uninstall the printer software and drivers for one of the printers experiencing issues, then reinstall the latest version from the manufacturer's website.
2. Check Event Viewer:
   • Look for any error messages related to printing in the Event Viewer. This can provide more insight into what might be causing the application crashes.

     Important Note:​

     Before proceeding with any of these steps, it's recommended to back up your important data to prevent any potential data loss during troubleshooting. Reinstalling Windows should be considered as a last resort if all other troubleshooting steps fail. Feel free to try these steps and let me know if you need further assistance or if you have any other questions.