How to Fix Windows 10 Printer Error 0x00003e3? Causes Revealed
by Rubaditsha
Updated Jun 17, 2023
Printer Overview
Printer, an electronic device utilized in homes and offices, serves the purpose of transferring digital documents or photos onto paper. This article focuses on expanding the information available on Home Wiki regarding printers, as it is currently a stub and requires further development.
In the realm of home printing, inkjet and laser printers are the most commonly used types. Laser printers outperform inkjet printers in terms of speed when it comes to printing tasks. They are known for their efficiency and comparatively quieter operation.
On the other hand, inkjet printers offer the advantage of producing color prints. However, it's important to note that inkjet prints may have a slightly wet texture and require some time to dry before they can be handled. Additionally, the long-term cost of running an inkjet printer tends to be higher due to the expense of ink cartridges.
When selecting a printer, it's crucial to consider the price and availability of ink. Some printers may appear affordable initially, but their total cost of ownership can become expensive due to the recurring expense of ink cartridges. Certain printers are packaged with built-in scanners, which enable them to function as copiers as well. This multifunctionality is worth considering when choosing a printer.
Other factors to take into account include printing speed, the cost of ink cartridges, the ability to print double-sided, and wireless connectivity options. Printer reviews often provide detailed insights into these features. Additionally, for those seeking information about printer reset tools such as Epson Resetter, Canon Resetter, HP Resetters, and WIC Resetter, the Print Resetter's website can be a valuable resource.
What is Windows 10 Printer Error 0x00003e3?
Windows 10 printer error 0x000003e3 is an issue that occurs when users encounter difficulties connecting their printers or when they try to print documents. The error message "Windows cannot connect to the printer. Operation failed with error 0x000003e3" is displayed, causing frustration and hindering the printing process.
This error can be triggered by several factors, including faulty Windows updates, incompatible printer drivers, and issues with the Print Spooler service. Some users have reported that the error started appearing after installing the latest Windows updates, suggesting that these updates may conflict with the printer's drivers or settings.
Incompatible or outdated printer drivers can also lead to the 0x000003e3 error. If the drivers installed on the computer are not designed for Windows 10 or are not compatible with the specific printer model, it can prevent the printer from establishing a successful connection.
The Print Spooler service, which manages print jobs in Windows, can encounter corruption or malfunctions, resulting in the 0x000003e3 error. When the Print Spooler service is not functioning properly, it affects the printer's ability to process print requests.
To resolve the Windows 10 printer error 0x000003e3, several solutions can be attempted. Uninstalling problematic Windows updates, updating or reinstalling printer drivers, restarting the Print Spooler service, running the printer troubleshooter, and clearing printer keys in the registry are some of the common approaches.
It's important to note that if you are not comfortable performing these manual troubleshooting steps, seeking assistance from a professional technician or contacting the printer manufacturer's support team is recommended. They can provide further guidance and help resolve the issue effectively.
Cause of Windows 10 Printer Error 0x00003e3
The "operation failed with error 0x000003e3" problem can arise due to several reasons. Below, we outline potential causes associated with this issue:
- Faulty Windows update: This error may be triggered by a problematic update that was installed on the system.
- Incompatible printer drivers: The presence of incompatible or outdated printer drivers can lead to the occurrence of this error.
- Conflicts with third-party software: The presence of conflicting third-party software or applications on the system can interfere with the printer's functionality and result in the error message.
- Corrupted Print Spooler service: A corrupted Print Spooler service, responsible for managing print jobs, can also contribute to the appearance of the 0x000003e3 error.
How to Fix Windows 10 Printer Error 0x00003e3?
If you're encountering the Windows 10 printer error 0x00003e3, don't worry. This error is relatively common and can be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of fixing this error and getting your printer up and running again.
1. Uninstall the latest Windows update
To resolve the issue of encountering the 0x000003e3 error after a Windows update, you can try uninstalling the latest update. However, please note that this solution should only be applied if your printing issues started after a Windows update. Follow the steps below:
- Open the Control Panel: Type "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
- Go to Programs: In the Control Panel window, navigate to the "Programs" section.
- Uninstall a program: Click on the "Uninstall a program" option.
- View installed updates: Look for the "View installed updates" link and select it.
- Uninstall the latest update: From the list of updates, locate the most recent Windows update. Right-click on it and choose "Uninstall" from the context menu.
- Pause Windows updates: To prevent further updates until the issue is resolved, type "Updates" in the Windows search bar and press Enter. In the "Updates" settings window, click on "Pause updates for 7 days."
2. Check the Print Spooler service
The Print Spooler service plays a crucial role in printing operations on Windows. Follow the steps below to ensure it is running correctly:
- Open Services: Type "Services" in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
- Locate the Print Spooler service: Scroll down in the Services window to find the "Print Spooler" service.
- Restart the service: If the Print Spooler service is already running, right-click on it and select "Restart." If it's not running, double-click on it to open the Properties window.
- Set startup type to Automatic: In the Properties window, under the "Startup type" section, click on the drop-down menu and select "Automatic."
- Apply and save changes: Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.
3. Run the troubleshooter
Windows provides a built-in troubleshooter tool that can help identify and resolve common printing issues. Follow these steps to run the troubleshooter:
- Open the Troubleshoot settings: Type "Troubleshoot" in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
- Go to Additional Troubleshooters: In the Troubleshoot settings window, scroll down and select "Additional Troubleshooters."
- Select the Printer troubleshooter: Look for the "Printer" option and click on "Run the troubleshooter."
- Apply suggested fixes: Wait for the troubleshooter to complete the scan and follow the instructions to apply any suggested fixes.
- Restart your PC: After applying the fixes, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
4. Remove the incompatible printing driver
Sometimes an incompatible or corrupt printing driver can cause printing issues. Follow these steps to remove the incompatible driver:
- Open Print Management: Type "Print Management" in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
- Access Custom Filters: In the Print Management window, navigate to "Custom Filters" and select the "All Drivers" category.
- Find the Microsoft Print to PDF driver: Locate the "Microsoft Print to PDF" entry in the middle pane of the Print Management window.
- Delete the driver: Right-click on the Microsoft Print to PDF driver and select "Delete" from the context menu.
5. Install the latest printer driver
Outdated printer drivers can also cause printing issues. To resolve this, consider installing the latest printer driver. Here are a few methods you can try:
- Use DriverFix: Download and install a reliable driver update tool like DriverFix, which can automatically detect and install the latest printer driver for you.
- Visit the printer manufacturer's website: Go to the website of your printer manufacturer and look for the "Support" or "Drivers" section. Find the latest driver for your specific printer model and download it.
- Install optional Windows updates: You can also attempt to install all the optional Windows updates, which may include updated printer drivers. However, this method may not always be reliable.
6. Delete printer keys
To resolve certain printing issues, you may need to delete printer keys in the Windows Registry. Follow these steps:
- Stop the Print Spooler service: Open the Services window (as explained in Fix 2), right-click on the "Print Spooler" service, and select "Stop."
- Open Registry Editor: Type "regedit" in the Windows search bar and press Enter. When prompted by User Account Control, click "Yes" to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the printer keys: In the Registry Editor, go to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionPrint
- Delete the Providers key: Under the "Print" key, locate the "Providers" subkey. Right-click on it and select "Delete" to remove it.
- Restart the Print Spooler service: Return to the Services window, right-click on the "Print Spooler" service, and select "Start" to enable it again.
How to Fix Windows 10 Printer Error 0x00003e3:FAQs
A printer is an electronic device used to transfer digital documents or photos onto paper.
The most common types of printers used in homes are inkjet and laser printers.
Laser printers are faster than inkjet printers when it comes to printing tasks. They are also known for their efficiency and quieter operation. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, allow for color printing but may leave pages slightly wet and require drying time. The long-term cost of running an inkjet printer tends to be higher due to the expense of ink cartridges.
When selecting a printer, factors to consider include the price and availability of ink, printing speed, cost of ink cartridges, double-sided printing capability, wireless connectivity options, and whether the printer has a built-in scanner for multifunctionality.
Yes, printer reviews can provide detailed insights into printer features and performance. Additionally, for printer reset tools such as Epson Resetter, Canon Resetter, HP Resetters, and WIC Resetter, the Print Resetter's website offers valuable information.