“Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer”: Fix

9 April 2009 @ 2pm

Several users have reported an issue in which Windows displays the message “Windows cannot connect to the printer. Access is denied” when attempting to add a new printer through the printer wizard, or suddenly after a system update or restart.

Fix

This issue can sometimes be fixed via the following process:

1. Open the control panel and choose the printer section
2. Choose “Add printer” then “Add a local printer”
3. Click on “Create a new port” and choose “Local port”
4. Click next, and you will be prompted for a port name. Type the following: \\computername\printername and apply the changes.

(where computername is the name of your computer and printername is the name of your printer.)

If you don’t know your computer’s name, click the start button then right-click on “computer” in Windows Vista and select properties (or right-click on “my computer” in Windows XP and select properties). The computer name will be displayed among the data.

To find your printer’s name, open the control panel then go to Printers and other
hardware>View Installed printers.

Tagged
Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP