How to Fix Printer Error 0x0000011b on Windows 11

Printer Error 0x0000011b usually appears when you try to print over a network printer in Windows 11. The full message may say: “Windows cannot connect to the printer. Operation failed with error 0x0000011b” and “Windows couldn’t connect to the shared printer”

This error became common after Microsoft pushed security updates related to the Print Spooler service. These updates tightened the RPC communication between computers, which sometimes breaks printer sharing on home and office networks.

The good news? You can fix the 0x0000011b error using the methods below.

1. Restart the Print Spooler Service (Quick Fix)

Print Spooler manages printing jobs. If it’s stuck, Windows may refuse to connect to shared printers.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down and double-click Print Spooler.
3. Click Stop, wait 5 seconds, then click Start again.
4. Set Startup type to Automatic.
5. Click OK.

Now try connecting to the printer again.

2. Remove Recently Installed Print Security Update (Very Effective)

Microsoft updates KB5005565, KB5006670, KB5007186, and similar patches often cause this error.

1. Open Settings → Windows Update → Update history.
2. Scroll down and click Uninstall updates.
3. Look for the latest Security Update for Windows applied recently.
4. Select it and click Uninstall.
5. Restart your PC.

If the error disappears, Windows Update was the cause.

3. Set Up the Printer Using Its IP Address Instead of Network Name

Adding the printer manually using its IP often bypasses RPC issues.

1. Press Windows + R, type control printers, press Enter.
2. Click Add a printer.
3. Choose The printer that I want isn’t listed.
4. Select Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname.
5. Click Next.
6. Change Device type to TCP/IP Device.
7. Enter your printer’s IP address (check router or printer panel).
8. Uncheck Query the printer and automatically select driver.
9. Click Next.
10. Choose your printer brand and model manually or install its driver.

This method is highly reliable for shared printers.

4. Disable the “Require RPC Encryption” Registry Setting (Fixes Error for Shared Printers)

After certain security updates, Windows requires encrypted RPC connections, which some printer hosts do not support.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print
3. Right-click inside the right panel → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Name it:
   RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled
5. Double-click it and set Value data to 0.
6. Click OK and restart your PC.

This disables RPC encryption and restores compatibility with older/shared printers.

5. Update Printer Drivers on Both Devices

If the printer is shared from another PC, both computers must have proper drivers.

Steps on the printer-host PC:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Printers.
3. Right-click your printer → Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically.

Steps on the client PC:

1. Download drivers from the printer manufacturer’s website.
2. Install them manually.
3. Try reconnecting to the printer.

Outdated drivers often trigger 0x0000011b errors after Windows updates.

6. Turn Off “Printer Sharing Encryption” on the Host PC

If you share the printer from another Windows computer, encryption might block access.

1. On the host PC, open Control Panel.
2. Go to Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click Change advanced sharing settings.
4. Expand All Networks.
5. Scroll to File and Printer Sharing.
6. Select Turn off password-protected sharing.
7. Save changes and restart the host PC.

Clients can now connect without encryption conflicts.

7. Temporarily Turn Off IPv6 on the Client PC

Some printers and routers conflict with IPv6 and prevent RPC traffic.

1. Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, press Enter.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection → Properties.
3. Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your PC.

Test printing again.

8. Reset the Print System

If spooler settings, drivers, and ports are corrupted, resetting helps.

1. Press Windows + R, type control printers, press Enter.
2. Delete all unused printers.
3. Open Services and restart Print Spooler again.
4. Reinstall your printer manually.

A full reset often resolves stubborn 0x0000011b errors.

9. Use the Printer’s Official Software Instead of Windows Add-Printer

Some brands handle setup better through their apps.

Examples:

• HP Smart
• Canon Printer Assistant
• Epson Software Updater
• Brother iPrint&Scan

Here are the steps:

1. Download your printer manufacturer’s installer.
2. Run the setup and let it detect the printer automatically.
3. Add the printer through the app instead of Windows.

This bypasses Windows RPC limitations.

Wrapping Up

Printer Error 0x0000011b usually appears because of Microsoft’s Print Spooler security patches, RPC encryption issues, outdated drivers, or printer-sharing misconfigurations. By restarting Print Spooler, adding the printer via IP, disabling RPC encryption, and updating drivers, you can restore your network printer connection quickly.

Once fixed, your printer will work normally across your home or office network again.