"Windows can't open Add Printer. There are no more endpoints available from the endpoint mapper

Anonymous
2013-10-30T15:59:52+00:00

I am experiencing a similar problem. I have an HP desktop and a Xerox Phaser 6300. After the upgrade to Windows 8.1, my apps cannot find any installed printers. The Xerox shows up in the device list, but I cannot use it, even to print a test page. I have downloaded the new driver, and tried to re-install, but when I try to open the Add Printer function, I get the following error message: "Windows can't open Add Printer. There are no more endpoints available from the endpoint mapper." I contacted Microsoft via phone, and the rep told me i needed to go back to Windows 8. HP tells me that if I do that, I will lose all my data and installed programs, including Microsoft Office. I do not want to go through all that again, the computer is only a few months old. Please help!

<Split from: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-hardware/windows-81-upgrade-cant-find-or-install-printers/095084fe-75ee-4675-9836-ce5e446e4732  >

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2013-10-31T15:50:54+00:00

Open services.msc

Scroll down to Print Spooler and double click on it

Click on Dependencies tab

Check what dependencies the print spooler has, if any

you may need to click  "+" on those dependencies to see more dependencies

Go back to the Services list

On each of the spooler dependencies, double click on it

Make sure it is set to Automatic in the Startup Type drop down menu

Now click on Start to start the service

Click OK

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-30T21:00:25+00:00

    I have rebooted several times, including right after the spooler issue was repaired. Still nothing.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-30T21:03:54+00:00

    If you refresh the PC Apps you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Apps that came with your PC and apps you installed from the Windows Store will be reinstalled. Windows puts a list of removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC.

    Restore, Refresh or Reset

    Metro UI > type services.msc

    Scroll down to Print Spooler

    Right click on the spooler and select properties

    On General Tab select Startup and ensure it is set to Automatic

    If the service is not running, under service status click Start

    Fix printer problems

    If still having issues, perform a clean boot and retry

    How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135/en-us

    When finished, remember to return the system to normal boot

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-30T21:04:45+00:00

    Could you do the following steps to try to resolve this:

    1. Delete all existing queues that use the driver. From the "Devices and Printers" folder right click on each queue and select "remove device"
    2. After all the queues have been deleted reboot your PC to make sure the driver files are not in use.
    3. Re-Install the driver/printer.
    4. See if things work again.

    If the above doesn't help you, it would be helpful for us to get the driver version. Can you please run following PowerShell commands and copy/paste the output with your reply.

    • Right click Start, Run, type "cmd", That will bring up a command windows.
    • type "PowerShell". That will bring you into the PowerShell mode.
    • type "get-printer | format-list".
    • type "get-printerdriver | format-list".
    • copy/paste the screen output of the previous two commands to your reply.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-30T21:56:26+00:00

    I have discovered something while trying to check the Print Spooler. It is set to Automatic, but stopped. When I start it, the spooler will run for appx 2 mins, but then go back to stopped. If I try to open a print queue while the spooler is running, my printer is found, briefly. On my last attempt, I opened the print function in Microsoft Word. Just about the time Word recognized the printer, the spooler stopped working.

    I have not started the above process yet, but wanted to pass on this information in the event it would help narrow down the problem.

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