How to Fix “0x0000007c” Windows Printer Error?

While trying to print a document or install a printer, users have been getting the error code 0x0000007c that states the system cannot connect to the printer. As it turns out, this issue has been reportedly caused by an update that was released by Microsoft as part of their security updates. The issue was recognized by Microsoft and they have released a fix for this problem. However, the sad part is, that the so-called fix seems to not fix the problem for everyone and thus the issue remains for most of the users. In this article, we are going to show you how to resolve the error message in question so without further ado, let us get started.

As it turns out, even though security patches are essential for your computer, especially in a work environment, it doesn’t really bode well when it breaks some functionality. You can go about solving this issue by simply uninstalling the update that has uprooted it in the first place. However, that may not work unless you stop Windows updates for a certain period of time until a permanent fix has been released. In addition to that, there are other workarounds as well that have been reported by different users who were facing the same issue. We will be mentioning all of them so you can choose and see which one works for you best. With that said, let us get started.

Uninstall Problematic Security Update

As we have mentioned already, one way you can resolve the problem in question is to simply uninstall the security update that has caused the error code in the first place. The security patch in question is the update KB5006670. Uninstalling Windows updates is pretty simple and when you stumble upon issues that have been caused by Windows updates, you can easily rectify them by uninstalling them from your system.

However, in order for that to work properly, you will also need to stop Windows updates for the time period. This is because in case you do not, Windows will automatically download and install the same updates on your system again which can end up causing the issue. Thus, stopping updates is important in this method. To uninstall a specific Windows update, follow the instructions that have been given down below:

1. First of all, press the Windows key + I buttons on your keyboard which will bring up the Windows Settings window.
2. Then, on the Windows Settings window, navigate to Windows Updates.

   

3. On the Windows Updates screen, click on the View Update history option provided.

   

4. After that, on the new page, under the Update history text, click on the Uninstall updates option.
5. This will bring up a Control Panel window.
6. From the list of updates that have been installed on your system, look for the KB5006670 update.
7. Double click on it to uninstall it from your system.

   

8. Once you have done that, go back to the Windows Updates menu on the Windows Settings app.
9. There, click on the Pause updates for 7 days option.

   

10. Finally, once you are through that, go ahead and restart your system.
11. Once you boot up, go ahead and see if the problem still persists.

Reinstall Printer

As it turns out, another way that you can solve the error message in question is to reinstall the printer by following a few simple steps. If you try to reinstall the printer directly, it will not work as you will have to clear the drivers folder on your computer first and then proceed with installing the drivers again. The exact location may vary slightly depending on the architecture of your system but do not worry as we will be mentioning both down below. In addition to that, you will be opening up with the Windows Services window by running a MSC file and then restarting a service. With that said, follow the instructions given down below to systematically reinstall the printer:

1. To start off, open up the File Explorer window.
2. After that, navigate to one of the following locations depending on the architecture of your system by copy-pasting the address given down below in the address bar of the File Explorer:

   64-bit OS: C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\x64\3
   
   32-bit OS: C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\W32X86\3

   

3. Once you are there, cut all the contents of the folder and paste it on your desktop.
4. After doing that, open up the Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R.
5. In the Run dialog box, type in services.msc and then hit the Enter key. This will open up the Windows Services window.

   

6. From the list of services, look for the Print Spooler service.

   

7. Right-click on the service and from the drop-down menu, click the Restart button.

   

8. Once you have done that, go ahead open up the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start Menu.
9. On the Control Panel window, make your way to the Uninstall a program option.

   

10. There, uninstall the printer from the list of software by double-clicking it.
11. Once you have done that, go ahead and manually add the printer and then install the required manually as well by downloading them from the manufacturer’s website.
12. After doing all of this, the printer should now work properly and the error message should be gone.

Cancel Driver Installation Midway

Finally, if the above-provided solutions do not fix the problem for you, then you can try something that is slightly weird but has reportedly fixed the issue for a user. To do this, first of all, you will need to download the drivers for your printer from the manufacturer’s website. Once you have the drivers, run the installation and then when you are prompted to connect to the printer via the printer cable, choose to connect to the remote printer. Once you do this, and the printer connects successfully, go ahead and cancel the installation. After doing this, see if the problem still appears for you.