Settings > Printers & scanners device list empty but printers are installed
Posted by Jealentuss@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 26 comments
Hello everyone,
I ran into an issue last week where a user's printer list was empty. I was confused because I knew I had deployed printers and locally installed printers on this machine. Long story short it sounded like profile corruption so I rebuilt the profile but there was no change. I noticed this on another user's computer in the same company but just now noticed it with a completely different client. The printers do not show up in the Settings menu, but if you go to a print context, view the classic Devices and Printers menu, or simply go to a print context window the installed printers appear.
Here's the common denominators: -Running Windows 11 -AD Domain joined -Has printers deployed via GPO and locally
I haven't been able to gather enough data. My gut is telling me it's a Windows update causing this issue but I'm trying to not work backwards on this. Does this sound familiar to any of you? I would be in your debt if you could point me in the right direction.
Here's an example of what I am seeing: https://imgur.com/a/16A8BBv
huntertony@reddit
Got the same issue, but that update isn't installed. HP Printer, in case others are having the same (appears but doesn't print in HP Smart app, and appears if you log into a local admin account, but not for the user).
cobi33525@reddit
Same here. Two brand new domain joined Lenovo laptops (25H2 W11 Pro). That update isn't listed and we don't use ESET. Tried uninstalling our AV (SentinelOne) just in case.
get-printer in powershell shows you they are installed, as does just going to any print dialog. But nothing under the stupid Printers and Scanners were are now forced to use (since they took Devices & Printers away finally). From older stuff I found, it sounds like they were still visible there until that went away.
Nothing like getting my CEO a brand new laptop after some very strange/intermittent issues on his previous laptop and now immediately have a new issue!
I have 6 more new ones in boxes ready to setup and guessing they'll experience the same issue as the first two.........?
FWIW these are network shared printers, manually installed from the share, not via GP. Tried installing one manually as a local printer using Add Device (IPP) and same thing. It's installed & works, but nothing in the Printers & Scanners window.
Manually added printer also does NOT show up under local admin account, so it doesn't appear to be related to the domain.
cobi33525@reddit
Final update for me.
I confirmed on follow-up computers that installing our AV (SentinelOne) after all printers were installed worked fine.
On the original two I had issues with, running "Fix problems using Windows Update" from System > Recovery seemed to resolve the issue as well, so I didn't end up resetting them.
cobi33525@reddit
FWIW, I just did the next two identical laptops. I tried installing the printers earlier in my process and they are showing up as expected (under the admin setup account). Got through everything else OK, but held off on installing SentinelOne for now.
Going to get the new users logged in first, install printers THEN install SentinelOne and see what happens.
FWIW, uninstalling SentinelOne did NOT make hidden printers re-appear on the previous ones.
Trying a Windows Update Reset/Repair on one of the first ones with the issue. If that doesn't resolve it, I'm going to completely wipe it and start over and see what happens.
Such a dumb issue wasting my time!
obbekjaer@reddit
I only got the error last week. KB5079473 that came via automatic updates fixed it for me.
kebmpb@reddit
Any clue on what to do if KB5068861 isn't even installed? Like this is a fresh out of the box laptop on our network and nothing shows up until you go to print. Which is fine except I can't change the default from a network to a local printer for a user.
wackywill24@reddit
Did you figure it out? We just had this happen to all computer we have on site
Prestigious-Blood836@reddit
same, just the classic view if it's there, run shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}
wackywill24@reddit
We fixed it today with a windows update. I can’t remember the KB off the top of my head. If you need it I can send it tomorrow:)
Tocak91@reddit
Hi, we have similar issue please send me which KB will fix it.
wackywill24@reddit
KB5054156 is what fixed it for us
Tocak91@reddit
Thank you. This is an older update, and we now have newer updates deployed, so we are almost fully up to date. Today I tested several cases, and in our environment it appears that the issue is resolved by the KB5079473 update I mentioned above, specifically on versions 24H2 and 25H2.
obbekjaer@reddit
KB5079473 fixed it for me! Thank you! :D I was looking for it to download, then realised that I should maybe check for updates in Windows and there it was. I was troubleshooting a label printer at one of our offices the other day, and not being able to see it on my own computer made it ten times more "fun" :D
Flimsy-Summer-6143@reddit
would be nice to know
wackywill24@reddit
KB5054156 is what fixed it for us
kebmpb@reddit
Negative. I just told that user it’s installed and the default printer which can be seen when you go to print something. Didn’t have time to continue to fool with it.
upzidedown@reddit
I’m seeing the same issue with two clients now. The printers are visible in apps like Word, but I haven’t been able to determine the cause yet.
Jealentuss@reddit (OP)
Ok that is interesting. We use ESET.
Jealentuss@reddit (OP)
Ok thank you for that link. I'll try rolling back that kb in a couple hours when I'm in the office.
Jealentuss@reddit (OP)
u\upzidedown - I owe you a beer or a coffee or a fancy bottle of water, rolling back that KB did it.
Draptor@reddit
Is the print spooler service running? Or stopped/stuck starting?
Jealentuss@reddit (OP)
Service is running locally and on the print server. The printers are accessible and function without issue from the print context but do not populate in settings.
Sai_Wolf@reddit
Are the printer drivers V3 or V4? Might be a long shot, but try to flip flop them
Jealentuss@reddit (OP)
Some are PCL6, some are vendor specific, in one instance I should be seeing a Panini Vision X
Sai_Wolf@reddit
Right, but when win8 came out, they released "V4" drivers meant to use the newer features. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/print/v4-printer-driver
madknives23@reddit
Following for interest sorry I don’t have a an answer