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Question
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 9:36 AM
Hi All,
Several of our machines have recently started to display a strange error 'element not found' when trying to add printers or printer drivers. The problem was first noticed when a user tried to use the 'send to onenote' printer driver and it failed. When looking at the properties of the Onenote driver you get the 'element not found' error. I also get the same error when looking at the properties of the Microsoft 'Print to PDF' or 'XPS' drivers. I tried removing these drivers with the intention of reading but cannot as the error appears every time at the adding drivers stage. I have even tried adding Microsoft print to pdf via programs and features but even this fails. Things I have tried:
- Removing all drivers and printers
- Clearing the spool folder in system32
- restoring the drivers from a working machine
Does any one have any ideas?
All replies (7)
Thursday, April 6, 2017 2:04 AM
Hi,
According to your description, I think the most direct method is system restore.
Since the printer issue occurred recently, restore system to a healthy time point on those problematic computers can fix issue.
Besides, try to use this method to uninstall printers completely, then reinstall them to check result.
Open Run dialog and type printui /s /t2, remove printers in Print Server Properties/Drivers tab interface.
Good luck
Regards
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Thursday, April 6, 2017 7:32 AM
Hi Teemo, unfortunately we are not using system restore on these machines. Removing the printers using your command line method has no effect either (I had already tried this).
Thursday, April 6, 2017 2:40 PM
I have raised this with Microsoft, after working with several 3rd line engineers at an IT support firm and Microsoft for 2 hours we are no better off at the moment.
Friday, April 28, 2017 8:21 AM
Would you mind letting me know the update of the problem? If you need further assistance, feel free to let me know. I will be more than happy to be of assistance.
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019 5:29 PM
This is a genuine Microsoft support website describing a problem that many users have, yet no response and no attention from Microsoft. I get it - that there are an infinite number of users with an infinite number of problems and the lack of support is not only attributed to Microsoft. However, if they want to remain #1, they must provide better support than the others. Otherwise, what is to keep us from going elsewhere? In my opinion, there is no valid reason to select Microsft anymore. There are lots of other options. I'll abandon completely as soon as I can replace one Windows-based application with an online version.
I also have this problem and am frustrated by the lack of answers. I'll probably shutdown and take this PC to my local and trusted support center to see if they can figure it out.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 2:52 PM
Hi all,
Currently running Windows 10 version 1903. The error with 'Microsoft Print to PDF' and 'Microsoft XPS Document Writer' was also present on one of our systems. Before the upgrade also systems had this issue. The upgrade did solve the issue. However that can not be called a real solution.
The solution for the updated system lies in removing windows updates. I suspect the .NET updates to be the culprit, but since i removed all the updates it is a guess. On reboot I reinstalled all the updates.
Via 'Turn windows features on or off' i was able to activate the 'Microsoft Print to PDF' and 'Micrsoft XPS Document Writer' again.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019 9:29 PM
Thank you for describing the problem with "Microsoft Print to PDF"
I also get "printer driver not installed" and "Element not found" errors.
"Print to PDF" is not on the printers list. I found a driver for "Windows 10" at the MS Downloads site. Executing the install seemed to work without errors, but the same printer install errors occurred. I have tried to use the "windows and features" commands to turn on "Microsoft Print to PDF" but always get the error "Windows couldn't complete the requested changes." and error code: 0x800F0922. But nothing on this error code helps.