"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
    2014-02-06T14:13:37+00:00

    This was the first thing I tried.  It did not work.  It starts the print spooler (which seems to always stop on its own). Then it takes me to the Add Printer Wizard.  I have added the printer four times now, and does not fix the problem.  Thanks...

    Check these solutions:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-hardware/printer-spooler-wont-start-at-startup-windows-81/207fd102-f5cf-4881-bf2c-be5568a75087

    http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/460f297a-dd66-4476-a176-542e1519ca3e/fixed-spooler-subsystem-app-stopped-working?forum=itprovistaprinting

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-06T12:57:31+00:00

    I upgraded 8.1 on February 5. Although my printers were listed, apps indicated there was no printer installed.

    This solution worked for me! Print Spooler status has empty. I selected Print Spooler and clicked on Start Service. The status changed to Running. A test print worked fine.

    This seems like the best and easiest solution that I have read.

    Comment to Microsoft: Also, as this issue has been ongoing for several months, one would think Microsoft would fix it so we all don't have this problem.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-06T22:52:57+00:00

    This was the first thing I tried.  It did not work.  It starts the print spooler (which seems to always stop on its own). Then it takes me to the Add Printer Wizard.  I have added the printer four times now, and does not fix the problem.  Thanks...

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-06T21:32:37+00:00

    * Right-click the Desktop screen’s bottom-left corner, and choose “Control Panel” from the menu.

    * Within Control Panel, go to Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.

    * Right click on one of the printers, and select “Troubleshoot” option. It will fix the problem automatically.

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