How to fix Printer Error 0x00000709 – Cannot connect to shared printer

Are you getting the following printer error when you install a new printer and try to set them default?

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

This error may also occur when you try to set up a shared printer as a default printer on your Windows 11, 10 & 8 machines.

In this troubleshooting guide, some useful methods are listed, that will surely help you to get rid of this problem. So, just keep reading the solution guide and applying them to your computer.

Soluton


Method 1: Fix using Advanced System Repair Tool

It has been seen that the printer error 0x00000709 mostly occurs due to outdated drivers, pending updates, missing system files such as dll files, exe files etc, glitches in registry files etc. In order to remove all the problems, it is recommended to use Advanced System Repair Tool. It removes most of the Windows errors, fixes registry glitches, and removes most of the errors as well.

Windows is made with huge number of dll files, exe files, sys files, various types of services, databases, etc so, it is not possible to keep monitoring all the files always. A brilliant PC Optimizer tool repairs damages, fix errors, update windows and drivers, and eliminate various types of errors silently.

Outbyte PC Repair Tool does all the above task easily and provides you an errorfree and smooth Windows environment to work so that you can focus on your business only.

3 Steps to Fix this Error
Step 1. Download Outbyte PC Repair Tool [File Size: 16.4 MB]
Step 2. SCAN your Windows PC
Step 3. Click Fix button to Repair Error

 


Method 2: Run Printer Troubleshooter

It is a good idea to use a Printer Troubleshooter at the first step of troubleshooting. Several times the troubleshooter works well and It will reset the printer settings, and spooler service, check for drivers, etc.

Step 1: Go to the Start Menu and search for the Troubleshoot settings and open it.

search troubleshoot settings in the start menu windows 10 & 11

Step 2: Click on Other troubleshooter ➜ Printer ➜ Run

Run printer troubleshooter windows 10 & 11

Step 3: It will start detecting problems. Just go with this troubleshooter and fix the printer installing problems.

detecting and fixing printer problems

 


Method 3: Disable “Allow Windows to manage my default printer”

You must disallow Windows to manage your printer automatically. After disabling this feature, you will be able to manage your printer yourself.

Step 1: Search printer & scanner in the start menu and open it.
Step 2: Scroll down to Printer preferences and disable “Allow Windows to manage my default printer”. You also enable the “Download drivers and devices software over metered connections”.

disallow windows to make default printer

Step 3: Now, go to the printer settings and make it default.

 


Method 4: Editing in Registry File

If Windows settings are not setting up your printer as default, do it with Registry Editor. You can change your default printer using the registry file.

⚠ Note: Editing registry file may be dangerous for the windows system so, you must use the below steps with caution. Before making changes to the registry file, you must keep a backup of the registry file and save it somewhere outside of the PC.
Step 1: Gather the accurate printer name that you want to make default. Open the printer properties and copy the exact printer name.

getting printer name windows 10 & 11

Step 2: Open Registry Editor. Press Windows key + R to open the Run command. Type regedit and press Enter. It will open Registry Editor.

open registry editor in windows 10 & 11

Step 3: Navigate to the following location.
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
Step 4: Double click on Device and replace with your printer name, that you want to make default. Don’t change the name incorrectly. There are 3 sets of values separated by the coma. Just change the first value and replace the printer name and leave the other two values untouched.

Example

RICOH Aficio SP 100SF DDST,winspool,Ne00:

make default printer using the registry windows editor

Step 5: Reboot your PC.

 


Method 5: Uninstall updates KB5006670 & KB5007186

If the problem started after installing recent windows security updates, just remove those updates and reboot your PC. The update package KB5006670 & KB5007186 are reported by most of the users, that it’s created problems with their printer service. Remove these updates and then set your desired printer as default without getting the Operation cannot be completed (error 0x00000709) error.

Step 1: Right-click in the Start menu and select Settings. Choose Windows update in the left menu and select Update history.

open update history windows 10 & 11

Step 2: Scroll down and click on the Uninstall updates button.

uninstall updates option windows 10 & 11

Step 3: Remove the recent install updates along with updates KB5006670 & KB5007186 and reboot your PC.

remove recently uninstall updates windows 11

 


Method 6: Repair your computer.

It is the last but assured method, that will fix printer error – Operation cannot be completed (error 0x00000709). To perform this step, you need to arrange a Windows bootable USB drive and repair your computer using that drive. Here, is a great article on repairing Windows 10, 11 & 8 based operating systems.

How to Perform Startup Repair on Windows 10, 11? Step by Step Guide.

Summary

This article covers the information on How to fix printer errors – Operation cannot be completed (error 0x00000709) on Windows 11, 10 & 8 computers. There are several tested methods, that will help you in fixing printer errors.