Microsoft KB Archive/224026

Knowledge Base

WD2000: Error Message: There Is a Printer Error

Article ID: 224026

Article Last Modified on 12/2/2005

---

APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Word 2000 Standard Edition

---

This article was previously published under Q224026

ERROR MESSAGE

When you try to print, you receive the following error message:

There is a Printer Error.

NOTE: Microsoft Office 2000 has built-in functionality that allows you to get more information about difficult-to-troubleshoot alerts or error messages. If you want to enable this functionality for this and other error messages in Microsoft Office 2000, please download the Microsoft Office 2000 Customizable Alerts file from the Microsoft Office Update Web site at the following address:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8FBEE1D3-C5BB-4A36-A2F7-DC63DE2A818C

NOTE: If you reached this article by clicking the Web Info button in an error message, you already have Customizable Alerts enabled.

THINGS TO TRY

A Default Printer Driver Is Not Installed

If you do not have a default printer, use the Add Printer Wizard to install one.

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Printers.
2. Double-click Add Printer, and follow the instructions.

NOTE: If your printer model is not listed in the Manufacturers and Printers lists, check the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) for an updated driver. If your printer isn't on the HCL, contact the printer manufacturer for drivers and instructions.

PathLink Type="Bookmark" Value="Cause1"/>

There Is a Damaged Entry in the Windows Registry

To reset the registry, set another printer as the default, and then set your original printer as the default.

If you do not already have another printer set up on this computer:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
2. Double-click Add Printer.
3. Click Next.
4. Click Local, Local Printer, or My Computer, and then click Next.
5. In the Manufacturers list, click Generic.
6. In the Make/Model or Printers list, click Generic / Text Only, and then click Next.
7. Click the LPT1 port, and then click Next.
8. Click Next again, and then click Finish.

Then switch the default printer to the new driver and back:

1. In the Printers window, right-click the Generic / Text Only printer (or your other existing printer), and then click Set as Default.
2. Right-click your original printer, and click Set as Default.
3. Try printing again.

A Printer Driver Is Damaged

The damaged printer driver requires reinstallation. You need your Windows 95/98 CD-ROM or the printer driver disk or CD-ROM from the printer vendor to complete this procedure.

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
2. Right-click your default printer, and click Delete. If you are prompted with the question whether you want to remove extra files left on the system, click Yes.
3. Double-click Add Printer, and then follow the instructions to reinstall your printer driver.

When you reinstall your printer driver, Windows writes the correct entries for the Ports, Printer Ports, and Windows sections in the Win.ini file.

NOTE: If you are on a network, you may have to install the correct printer driver from a network printer share. Contact your network administrator for instructions.

Windows Printing Subsystem Files Are Damaged

The System File Checker verifies the integrity of system files. If it finds a corrupted one, it allows you to restore it. This tool is available only in Windows 98.

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Information.
2. On the Tools menu, click System File Checker.
3. Click Scan for altered files, and then click Settings.
4. Choose the configuration you want to use, and then click OK.
5. Click Start.
6. If System File Checker finds any altered files, follow the instructions to reinstall them.

There Is a Device Conflict on the Printer Port

If you cannot print to your local printer at all, there may be a device conflicting with your computer's printer port, or the port may not be turned on. Try removing and reinstalling the printer port.

1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. On the Device Manager tab, expand Ports (COM & LPT) and double-click the port your printer is using.
3. If the Device status box says that the device is working properly, you may have some other system problem. You may need to reinstall your operating system.
4. If the Device Status box indicates a problem, click OK, and then click Remove.
5. Click OK, and then restart your computer.
6. After your computer restarts, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click Add New Hardware, and let Windows detect the hardware in your computer.

If the port still does not work after you remove and reinstall it, you may need to check printer cable or the BIOS settings on your computer to make sure the port is turned on. Consult your computer documentation for instructions.

Keywords: kbprb KB224026

---

Send feedback to Microsoft

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.