clicking Find Printer shows error "The Active Directory Domain Services is currently unavailable" i am on a home network

Anonymous
2010-05-21T12:33:03+00:00

When I try to "Find Printer (in MSWord, e.g.) I get the message: The Active Directory Domain Services is currently unavailable.

I'm running Vista Ultimate (SP2) on a home network; and I'm the Administrator.

How do I make the ADDS available?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2010-05-28T03:56:59+00:00

Hello Dick Bard,

Thanks for posting in the Microsoft Answers forum! To add to Lorie – One’s suggestion, please try following the steps below:

>Go to Control Panel

> Select Printers

> Right-click on Add Printer

> Select Run as Administrator

Now try to add your network printer.

Please let me know if this helps J


Adam

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-09-22T11:18:16+00:00

    http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Home-Web-Printing/Photosmart-D5360-Not-Printing/m-p/907129#M4662

    I also seem to have a printing problem related to administrative rights.  See the link above for details.  I think I've already done this before (I've been fiddling around with this a long time), but I'm going to uninstall the printer again, remove the other user accounts, turn off all the anti virus and anti malware stuff, then attempt to reinstall the printer.  This computer used to be networked wirelessly with another.  I wonder if there are some leftover setting that need to be changed back now that it is not networked anymore.

    Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.  If and when I solve this issue, I will be sure to let the forums at Windows and HP know about it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-08-21T05:46:06+00:00

    I experince huge problem with my HP ENVY 4524. I am running  windows 10.

    The device is conneceted and i can see the device in dvices and printer however i cannot see the device in word and when i click add a device i get the exact same error message: The Active Directory Domain Services is currently unavailable.

    I tried to follow above but i cannot right click on add printer.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-09-22T17:07:57+00:00

    Here is the text, copied and pasted from HP support forum and this site with the latest installment. 

    Photosmart D5360 Not Printing

    09-20-2011 04:11 AM

    Problem:  This happened after I tried to reinstall the printer after not using it for several months.  The printer behaves like it is going to print, it says it is printing, but nothing happens.  It will print a test page, but not a diagnostic page.  It will not print a pdf or anything from MS Word, or Wordpad. 

    My computer is a Dell Studio 1536 laptop with Vista Home Premium.  All upgrades to Vista and the printer have been installed.

    I have uninstalled and reinstalled the printer 7 times, so I am sure I am doing it correctly and not connecting the USB too soon.  I tried it with another USB from another printer.  So I don’t think the cable is defective.

    There is no flashing warning message on the front of the printer.  No cartridge obstruction, no paper jam.

    I have run the diagnostic utility, it detects no problem.

    It is selected as the default printer, USB001 virtual printer port for USB. 

    When I try to print a test page from the Properties dialogue box, it doesn’t work.

    Note:  I doubt if this is relevant, but I should mention, the black ink is empty, although the cartridge is still in.   I didn’t want to buy another cartridge until I find out if the printer can be fixed.   

    Helen

    Re: Photosmart D5360 Not Printing

    09-21-2011 03:31 PM

    Hi Helen-C,

    You have done quite a few things on your printer. I just have to confirm a few things:

    ·        Is it the print diagnostic utility that you've used? If it is then everything passed, you should be able to print from the computer

    ·        The test page that was printed, was that from the printer or from the computer?

    ·        Did you use the CD to reinstall the sw? If not, try downloading this drivers - Win Vista 32 Bit or Win Vista 64 Bit

    ·        When you're using the USB cable during install, is your computer recognizing it as "New Found Hardware"? Have you tried installing on another computer?

    Low on ink may affect your printing, but if you can do a standalone print (e.g. test page) then most likely it's the connection causing the print problem.

    There are still some things you can do, you can check this article - Can't Print? Print Jobs are Stuck in the Print Queue

    Let me know what happened. Hope this works for you!

    Re: Photosmart D5360 Not Printing

    09-21-2011 07:09 PM

    Yes the diagnostic utility 4.1 says it is okay, but will not print a test page from the diagnostic utility.  However if I go through the HP Solution Center to the Toolbox, it will print a test page from there which comes out beautifully.  What does that indicate?  Yes it has been installed most recently with that software suite and driver that you gave the link for.  The correct port is selected.  The print queue has been cleared dozens of times. The computer does recognize New Found Hardware.  The ink levels are not low anymore since I got the new cartridge.    I just stopped and started the print spooler service.  It did not print after restarting, but this might be a clue.  When I click “find printer” a box pops up that says “Find in the directory:  The active directory domain services is currently unavailable.” Is that related to the printing problem?

    Re: Photosmart D5360 Not Printing

    Options

    09-21-2011 08:30 PM

    Hi again!

    I've done a little bit of research on the error and it's more like admin rights on the computer. Check this article from Microsoft.

    Hope this works!

    Re: Photosmart D5360 Not Printing

    Options

    09-22-2011 09:59 AM

    I uninstalled the printer from the HP menu, restarted, ran a registry cleaner.  I turned off Malware bytes and MS Security Essentials, and also the internet connection.  I ran the set-up program as administrator (the complete package which had been downloaded from HP).  It appeared to go well, "device driver installed successfully, ready to use, etc..."  I left the security off and attempted to print.  Nothing. 

    This question is also running on http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_vista-networking/clicking-find-printer-show...

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-09-23T18:37:03+00:00

    Hi Helen,

    I just posted this, thought it may be worth a try.

    "Hi guys,

    Unsure if anyone's found a fix for this yet.

    But after searching and searching and trying all sorts,

    I found below to fix the issue.

    • Start.
    • Type, services.msc, in the search box and just press enter.
    • Scroll to Print Spooler.
    • Right-click this and select Properties.
    • Startup Type, should equal, Automatic.
    • Service Status should equal, Started (if not, simply select the Start button).
    • If it already says, Started, then try pressing, Stop, and then, Start.

    My Startup Type said Manual and Service Status was Stopped.

    I did the above and problem solved :)

    Hope this helps.

    Also, if this does help, please pass on to any other forums you may be on,

    since it seems like even the people that manufacture the printers and MS themselves

    can't offer a decent answer.

    P.s. My printer's a HP All-In-One.

    Regards

    Your Saviour (hopefully)

    Lol jus jokin..

    Asif W."

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