Can’t Remove Printer on Windows 10/11? Here’s What You Should Do

The moment Windows 10/11 was rolled out, many users have started complaining about problems with their printers. While some of them reported about incompatibility issues, some said they were unable to remove their printers the conventional way.

Is Windows 10/11 really to blame? Well, it depends.

Normally, the printer problem begins with an error message indicating that there is a problem with the printer. The moment the user attempts to uninstall the device, Windows 10/11 will refuse to do so. Some users even tried to remove the printer device straight from the Devices menu itself but to no avail.

Now, if you are unable to remove a printer on Windows 10/11, fret not. We have compiled a few methods that can help you fix the problem. You don’t have to try all of them. Work your way down below the list until you find a fix that resolves the issue.

How to Remove a Printer on Windows 10/11

Without further ado, here are some ways to remove a printer on Windows 10/11.

Method #1: Remove incompatible drivers from Print Server Properties

There are Windows 10/11 users who have found success in removing their printers by deleting the printer’s drivers themselves from Print Server Properties.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Launch the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R keys.
2. Into the text field, input control, and hit Enter. This will open the Control Panel.
3. Go to Device and Printers.
4. Choose the printer that is giving you problems and click Print Server Properties.
5. Navigate to the Drivers tab and systematically remove the driver that is associated with that printer. Do this by clicking Remove.
6. Once the printer’s driver is removed, press the Apply
7. Restart your PC.
8. Upon startup, remove the printer device conventionally by proceeding with the next method.

Method #2: Remove the corrupted printer’s Registry entries

In this method, we will permanently remove any keys and subkeys associated with the problematic printer via Registry Editor.

Follow the instructions below:

1. Launch the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R keys.
2. Into the text field, input regedit and hit Enter. This will open the Registry Editor.
3. While in the Registry Editor, go to this location:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Print > Printers
4. Under Printers, find the entry that is associated with your printer. Right-click on it and hit Delete.
5. Restart your PC.

Method #3: Clear the queue of printing jobs

Some users said that the printer problem is only caused by a stuck print job. This means clearing the print jobs queue has worked for them.

Here’s how to clear your print jobs queue folder:

1. Launch the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R keys.
2. Into the text field, input this location: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
3. Hit Enter.
4. At the UAC prompt, hit Yes.
5. If the Printers folder is not empty, clear the queue by deleting everything.
6. Once it’s empty, uninstall the printer again.
7. Reboot your PC.

Method #4: Remove your printer via the Settings menu

Although this method isn’t always effective, it’s still worth trying as it has worked for many.

Here’s how to remove your printer from the Settings menu:

1. Open the Run utility and type this: ms-settings:connecteddevices.
2. Hit Enter. You will then be taken to the Connected tab of your Settings menu.
3. Now, click Printers and Scanners.
4. Find your printer from the drop-down menu.
5. Select Remove Device.
6. Click Yes to confirm your action.
7. Close the Settings menu and reboot your PC.

Method #5: Remove your printer via Control Panel

Another way to remove your printer is by using the Control Panel. Here’s what you should do:

1. Open the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R keys.
2. Into the text field, input control, and hit Enter. This will open the Control Panel.
3. Go to Devices and Printers.
4. Click on Printers to expand the menu.
5. Right-click on your problematic printer.
6. Choose Remove Device.
7. Click Yes to confirm your action.
8. Restart your PC.

Method #6: Remove the printer via Device Manager

You may also remove the printer via Device Manager. However, it is worth noting that some users claimed that this method was ineffective. Should you wish to give it a try, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R keys.
2. Into the text field, input devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to open Device Manager.
3. Click on the Print Queue section to expand the drop-down menu.
4. Right-click on the faulty printer and select Uninstall Device.
5. Close Device Manager and disconnect your printer cable.
6. Restart your PC.

Method #7: Use Command Prompt

Some users have successfully removed their printers by using an elevated Command Prompt. Take note that this method requires a bit of technical expertise, so you have to be extra cautious.

Follow the steps below and let them serve as your guide:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run utility.
2. Into the text field, input cmd, and press the CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys. Click Yes to launch an elevated Command Prompt.
3. Into the command line, input this command followed by pressing Enter: wmic printer get name.
4. Launch your preferred text editor and take note of the name of the printer you want to remove.
5. Into the command line, input this command followed by hitting Enter: printui.exe /dl /n “Name of Printer”. Make sure to change the placeholder with the actual printer’s name.
6. Restart your PC.

Wrapping Up

You see, it’s easy to remove problematic printers on Windows 10/11. You just need to be patient enough. Use this guide as a start. Try the methods we have listed above until you find one that fixes your printer problem. If you come across issues, do not hesitate to ask for help from experts.

Do you know other ways to remove your printer on Windows 10/11? Did we miss some important points in removing your printer? Need more PC repair tips and tricks to help avoid problems on your Windows 10/11? Feel free to browse through our pages here at Software Tested to find answers.