Fix Printer Installation Error 0x000003eb

Fix Printer Installation Error 0x000003eb: If you are trying to install a printer but can’t do so because of the error code 0x000003eb then you are at the right place as today we are going to discuss on how to fix this issue. The error message doesn’t give you much information as it just says unable to install the printer and gives you the error code 0x000003eb.

Unable to install printer. Operation could not be completed (error 0x000003eb)

Fix Printer Installation Error 0x000003eb

But if you troubleshoot the issue you must have come to a conclusion that this must be a problem with printer drivers being incompatible or corrupt. And you are right, the printer connectivity or installation error 0x000003eb occurs because the drivers are somehow got corrupted or incompatible. So without wasting any time let’s see how to actually Fix Printer Installation Error 0x000003eb.

Fix Printer Installation Error 0x000003eb

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Method 1: Make sure Windows Installer Service is Running

1.Press Windows Key + R then type services.msc and hit Enter.

services windows

2.Find Windows Installer service in the list and double click on it.

3.Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic and click Start, if the service is not already running.

make sure startup type of Windows Installer is set to Automatic and click on Start

4.Click Apply followed by OK.

5.Again try to install the printer.

Method 2: Perform Clean Boot

Note: Make sure to unplug any external devices from your PC and then try to install the printer.

Sometimes 3rd party software can conflict with Windows and therefore cause Error 0x000003eb In Windows 10. In order Fix this issue, you need to perform a clean boot in your PC and diagnose the issue step by step.

Perform Clean boot in Windows. Selective startup in system configuration

Once you have performed the clean boot, make sure to install Printer and see if you are able to Fix Printer Installation Error 0x000003eb.

Method 3: Registry Fix

Note: Backup your Registry before performing the below-listed steps.

1.Press Windows Key + R then type service.msc and hit Enter.

services windows

2.Double click on Print Spooler service and click on Stop, in order to stop Print Spooler service.

Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic for print spooler

3.Click Apply followed by OK.

4.Now press Windows Key + R then type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.

Run command regedit

5.Navigate to the following registry key according to your system architecture:

For 32-bit system: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Drivers\Version-3

For 64-bit system: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows x64\Drivers\Version-3

print environments windows NT x86 version-3

6.Delete all the keys listed under version-3, by right-clicking on them and select Delete.

7.Press Windows Key + R then type the following and hit Enter:

C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\W32X86

8.Rename the folder name 3 to 3.old.

Rename the folder name 3 to 3.old in order to fix Printer Installation Error 0x000003eb

9.Again Start the Print Spooler service and try to install your printers.

If you are still not able to install your printer then make sure to first uninstall your printer completely and then again install it with new drivers. Make sure to use the CD wizard which came with the printer rather than the Add Printer option in Windows.

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That’s it you have successfully Fix Printer Installation Error 0x000003eb but if you still have any queries regarding this guide then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

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