Windows 7 Error 0x0000709 prevents me from connecting to network printer

[Scott Norton]

I have a shared network printer (Samsung ML-2571n) connected to a Windows XP desktop computer and am trying to use my home wireless network to connect to it from my laptop. When I try to find the computer via its name, I get a DNS error. However, I can browse it by bypassing DNS using its IP address, and cmd.exe ping has average 13ms response time. Explorer shows the printer (name = 'Samsung') on the target system folder. I can view its properties from the context menu, but opening the printer returns the following message:

"Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000709). Double check the printer name and make sure that the printer is connected to the network."

Furthermore, trying to locate the printer from the print driver install software returns this message:

"Samsung ML-2570 Series PCL 6 Installer cannot connect to \\[IP address]\Samsung. Either the printer name was typed incorrectly, or the specified printer has lost its connection to the server."

I have confirmed that the printer is in fact connected to the network; my other Windows XP desktop computer is able to see and print to the target printer. I do have UAC activated. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit on an HP Pavilion dv3-series computer, and both desktops are Dells.

Update 1: My DNS connection is through the AT&T network, which may not be available considering the problems they've been having lately.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are facing connectivity issues when trying to access the shared Samsung ML-2571n printer from your Windows 7 laptop over a wireless network. The error messages you provided indicate issues with connecting to the printer using its name and through the installation software. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow to address this problem:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Check Printer Sharing Settings:
   • Ensure that the printer sharing settings are correctly configured on the Windows XP desktop hosting the printer.
   • Confirm that printer sharing is enabled on the Windows XP desktop.
   []Check Network Discovery and File Sharing:
   • Make sure that Network Discovery and File Sharing are turned on in your Windows 7 laptop's Network and Sharing Center.
   • Ensure that the network profile (Private, Public, Domain) is appropriate for your home network.
   []Use IP Address Directly:
   • Since you can access the printer using its IP address, try adding the printer using the IP address directly on your Windows 7 laptop:
     1. Press Win + R, type control printers, and hit Enter.
     2. Click on "Add a printer" and select "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer".
     3. Choose the option to add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname, and enter the printer's IP address.
   []Disable User Account Control (UAC):
   • Temporarily disable UAC on your Windows 7 laptop to check if it's causing any restrictions. You can adjust the UAC settings via the Control Panel.
   []Check Firewall and Security Software:
   • Ensure that the Windows Firewall or any third-party security software is not blocking the printer connection.
   []Update Printer Drivers:
   • Update the printer drivers on your Windows 7 laptop to the latest version available from the Samsung website.
   []DNS Configuration:
   • Since you mentioned DNS issues, you can try changing the DNS server settings on your Windows 7 laptop:
     1. Go to your Network Connections.
     2. Right-click on your wireless connection and select "Properties".
     3. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and go to its properties.
     4. Use Google's or OpenDNS's DNS servers instead of your ISP's DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google).
2. Router Configuration:
   • Check if your router's settings might be causing any conflicts or issues with printer connectivity.

     Additional Notes:​

     • If you suspect issues with your ISP, you may want to contact them to ensure that there are no network-related problems affecting your connection.
     • Keep your Windows 7 system and printer drivers updated to the latest versions to avoid compatibility issues.
     Try these steps and see if they help resolve the issue of connecting to the shared printer on your home network. Let me know if you need further assistance or if you encounter any specific errors during the troubleshooting process.