Troubleshoot printer installation issues in Windows 10

January 7, 2023

Microsoft frequently releases updates for Windows 10 to improve various features of the operating system such as system efficiency, security, stability, etc. Although each bug brings many improvements to the operating system, it also brings new bugs that hinder many users. One of them is the March 2021 Windows update, update KB500080. This update caused a lot of problems with the printer drivers already installed on the system. Users have reported errors such as Windows update not working for printer drivers. These printer installation problems have been so prominent and severe that some users have even reported experiencing BSOD (Blue Screen of Death – a screen displayed after a system crash due to a Windows crash) while printing. This made printing impossible. If you're wondering how to fix this Windows Update Can't Get Device List issue, you've come to the right article. Here we discuss the possible causes and some possible solutions so that we can resolve this error. Let's start!

How to fix printer installation problems in Windows 10

Before moving on to the fixes, let's look at some of the causes of this problem:

The printer is outdated and does not have the latest software support
Windows update error
Printer maintenance issues
Problems with Printer Drivers and Software
The printer is not connected correctly

Continue reading to resolve Windows Update Can't Get List of Devices issue.

Method 1: Bit Printer

You can try to completely discharge the printer by unplugging it from the main power switch, unplugging it from the computer for 2-5 minutes, and plugging it back in. Make sure the printer is properly connected to the main power switch and the computer before turning it off and check if the issue is resolved.

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Method 2: Run the printer troubleshooter

There is a built-in Windows troubleshooter to fix printer problems. You can easily access it by going to settings. Running the printer troubleshooter will resolve the Windows update issue for printer drivers.

1. Press the Windows + I keys at the same time to launch the settings.

2. Click on the Update & Security tile as shown in the picture.

3. Go to the Troubleshoot menu in the left pane.

4. Select the printer troubleshooter and click the "Run the troubleshooter" button highlighted below.

5. Wait while the troubleshooter detects and fixes the problem. Once the process is complete, click Apply this fix and restart your computer.

Windows will automatically look for any problems and automatically try to fix them. Alternatively, you can run the Windows 10 Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to resolve this issue.

Method 3: Update device drivers

Since Windows users have reported errors after updating Windows, there may have been issues with the printer driver. Updating printer drivers might be a potential solution. Highlighted below are the different ways to update your printer drivers if one of them doesn't work for you.

Read our guide on updating device drivers in Windows 10 and apply the various methods in this link for printers.

Note. If your printer came with an installation disc, it might be a driver installation disc. Insert it into the DVD/CD driver and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.

Method 4: Manually Install Generic Drivers

If you have an older printer, or if your manufacturer hasn't released a driver for Windows 10 yet, you might have trouble installing the printer. This can be a permanent problem as the printer will be unusable without the proper driver software. In this case, Windows will automatically install generic drivers suitable for your printer. If not, then you can install them manually.

1. Press the Windows key, type "Device Manager" and click "Open".

2. In the Print Queues section, right-click the Microsoft XPS Writer and select the Update Driver option.

3. Click "Search my computer for driver software".

4. Then click "Let me choose from a list of available drivers on my computer".

5. Finally, select "Shared Software Device" and click "Next".

This will install the required driver and resolve the printer installation issue.

Method 5: Restart the Print Spooler Service

When a Windows user sends print requests to a printer, the print spooler is the software that manages those requests sent by the user. Resetting it could be a potential solution. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows + R keys at the same time to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type services.msc and click OK to open the Services window.

3. Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop to stop the service.

4. Now go to the Run dialog box again by pressing the Windows + R keys at the same time.

5. Enter the command below and click OK.

%WINDIR%system32spoolprinters

6. Select all files in the folder by holding down the Ctrl + A keys at the same time.

7. Now press Shift + Delete to permanently delete all files in this folder.

8. Return to the Services window and double-click the Print Spooler service.

9. Verify that the Startup Type drop-down list is set to Automatic.

10. Finally, click Start under Service Status.

11. Click Apply > OK to confirm.

Verify that Windows Update cannot get a list of devices.

Method 6: Install drivers from the Windows Update Catalog

Sometimes using the generic driver does not help and may cause problems installing the printer. If you are having problems with your printer and you have an old printer, you can try the official Microsoft Windows Update Catalog. Updates are archived here, so year-old drivers can easily download and use them. Let's see how to use it.

1. Go to the Microsoft Catalog site in a browser.

2. Enter your printer model (for example, HP LaserJet 4000) and click Search to find drivers for your hardware.

3. If you find a driver for your hardware, click Download.

4. Here click on the cab link to download the driver.

5. Right-click on the downloaded file and select Extract.

6. Update the printer driver manually by locating the folder where you extracted the drivers.

Method 7: Reinstall the printer

You can completely reinstall the printer from the beginning to see if it works. This includes removing the printer and device driver with full permissions and plugging them back in.

1. Press the Windows key, type "Control Panel" and click "Open".

2. Set View by > Category, then click View Devices and Printers.

3. In the Printers section, right-click your printer.

4. Select the Remove Device option.

5. Click "Yes" at the UAC prompt to remove the device.

6. Now restart your computer and reconnect the printer.

7. Go to "Devices and Printers", right-click on the printer and select "Set as Default Printer".

This will solve the printer installation problems.

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We hope you found this article helpful and that you were able to resolve printer installation issues in Windows 10. If you have any doubts or suggestions, please leave a comment below. Also, let us know what you would like to know next.