Recently, several users complained of getting an error code 0x0000007c when they were trying to install a printer on their devices. Basically, when one tries to install a printer driver, he/she gets a prompt – “Do you trust this printer?”. Upon clicking “Install Driver”, there appears an error message that reads the following –
"Windows cannot connect to the printer, operation failed with error 0x0000007c"Or,
ERROR_INVALID_LEVEL, Error 0x0000007c
What causes the Printer Error 0x0000007c in Windows?
The error code 0x0000007C may occur because of varied reasons. Some of them are as follows –
- Corrupted Windows registry
- Faulty entries of applications that were already removed from your device
- Missing system files
Knowing what exactly causes this issue in the first place may help you to get rid of this problem on your PC. Let’s learn the ways by which you can fix it on Windows 11/10 –
How to Fix Printer Error 0x0000007c in Windows 11/10
If you are getting an error code 0x0000007c while printing documents on Windows 11 or 10 PC, try out the below workarounds one after another. Make sure to read the solution in-depth. By doing so, you may realize or guess which solution is gonna work for you.
1] Uninstall the Buggy Update
The best way to resolve any Printer-related issue is by uninstalling the cumulative update. Upgrading the existing Build OS reset some of its components and thus causes Printer errors. Get rid of the recent patch updates and your printer will start functioning completely fine.
However, if you hadn’t installed any recent security/non-security/optional updates and yet are experiencing a printer issue, follow the next workaround.
2] Purge Print Spooler contents
If you don’t want to roll back your operating system to its previous build, you may re-add your Printer. Here’s how can you uninstall and manually add a printer to your Windows 11/10 PC –
- First of all, open File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
- When Windows Explorer opens up, reach out to the path below –
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\x64\3
Note: If you are on a 32-bit based PC, navigate to this path instead –
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\W32X86\3
- After you browse the above folder, cut all its contents and move them to a separate folder. Keep this folder somewhere safe as you might require it if this solution doesn’t work.
- Press Win + R to start the Run dialog.
- Type “
services.msc” on it and hit OK. - When the Services window comes into the display, search for the service that goes by the name – “Print spooler”.
- Right-click on this service, and hit the option – Properties.
- Select “Automatic” using the drop-down menu next to the Startup type, and hit the option – Start.
Thus far, we have removed the stored driver cache and restarted the print spooler service. Now, you open the Control Panel and remove the previously installed Printer. After you remove it successfully, follow this guideline to manually add a printer to your computer.
Note: Make sure to restart the Print spooler service that you stopped earlier. Otherwise, you may get into some other printer-related issues or bugs.
I hope this way helps to fix the printer error 0x0000007c without uninstalling the recent security/non-security updates on Windows 11/10 PC.
3] Run System File Checker
If this error is occurring just because your PC lacks a few important files and folders, running an SFC scan might bring back those missing files. Here’s how can you use this tool to fix the missing system files issue –
- Press Win + S, and type “CMD”.
- Right-click on the top result, and select the option – Run as administrator.
- Doing so will launch the Command Prompt as Admin.
- On the elevated console, type the following, and press Enter –
sfc /scannow
- Let this code run as long as it reaches 100%.
- When it reaches this mark, close CMD, and restart your PC.
