How to Get Rid of Printer Error 709 – Operation Could Not Be Completed

  • If you cannot set the default printer and get the message “The operation cannot be completed (error 0x00000709)”, follow the instructions in this article to solve the problem.
  • Windows 10 comes with a built-in printer troubleshooter that can help you identify and fix common printing problems.
  • If you can’t fix your printer problem, you can also try updating your printer drivers or resetting your printer.

 

Introducing a guide to resolve the perplexing Printer Error 0x00000709, unraveling the mystery behind the operation that seemingly cannot be completed.

Running the Printer Troubleshooter

To fix Printer Error 0x00000709 “Operation Could Not Be Completed,” follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows.
4. Double-click on the “Device” registry value.
5. Delete the existing value and replace it with the path of your printer. For example, \\\.
6. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
7. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Disabling Windows Automatic Printer Management

To disable Windows Automatic Printer Management and fix the printer error 0x00000709, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows”.
4. Look for the “LegacyDefaultPrinterMode” registry value.
5. Right-click on “LegacyDefaultPrinterMode” and select “Modify”.
6. Change the value data to “0” and click OK.
7. Close the Registry Editor.
8. Restart your computer.

By disabling Windows Automatic Printer Management, you can manually set your default printer without encountering the 0x00000709 error. This method works for various operating systems, including Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you’re experiencing issues with network printers or printers that are no longer available, this fix can help resolve the problem. Remember to double-check the printer name and ensure that the specified network name is correct.

Modifying the Registry

To fix Printer Error 0x00000709 “Operation Could Not Be Completed,” you can modify the Registry. Follow these steps:

1. Press the **Windows key + R** to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type **regedit** and press **Enter** to open the Registry Editor.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: **HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows**.
4. Look for the **Device** value on the right pane and double-click it.
5. Delete the existing value and enter the **UNC path** of the printer you want to set as default. For example, **\\printservername\printername**.
6. Click **OK** and close the Registry Editor.
7. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

By modifying the Registry, you can resolve the error message and set the desired printer as the default. Remember to double-check the entered UNC path and ensure that the printer is available on the network. If you encounter any issues, you can use the Printer Troubleshooter window or seek further assistance from Microsoft support.

Uninstalling Windows Update

To uninstall a Windows update that is causing the printer error 0x00000709, follow these steps:

1. Open the “Control Panel” on your Windows system.
2. Click on “Programs” and then select “Programs and Features.”
3. On the left-hand side, click on “View installed updates.”
4. Locate the problematic update by searching for its KB number, such as KB5006670.
5. Right-click on the update and select “Uninstall.”
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
7. Restart your computer.

After uninstalling the update, try setting the default printer again using the following steps:

1. Press the “Windows key + R” to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “control printers” and press Enter.
3. In the “Devices and Printers” window, right-click on your desired printer and select “Set as default printer.”

Double-check that the printer is now set as the default and try printing your documents again. This should resolve the issue and allow you to print without encountering the error message.

Repairing System Files

To repair system files and fix the printer error 0x00000709, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing Win + R, typing “cmd,” and hitting Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will scan and repair any corrupted system files.
3. After the scan is complete, restart your computer.
4. If the issue persists, open the Control Panel and navigate to Devices and Printers.
5. Locate your printer and right-click on it.
6. Select “Set as default printer” from the context menu.
7. If the printer is connected to a print server, double-check that the correct printer name and driver are being used.
8. If you’re using Windows 10, try running the Printer Troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and select Printer.
9. If the error still occurs, make sure the printer is properly connected to the network and that the specified network name is correct.
10. Lastly, try sharing the printer again if it’s no longer available or not connecting on Windows 7 or Windows 11.

These steps should resolve the 0x00000709 error and allow you to complete printer operations successfully.

Running as Administrator

To fix the printer error 0x00000709 “Operation Could Not Be Completed,” try running as Administrator. This method can help resolve the issue in Windows operating systems.

Here are the steps to run as Administrator:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select “Command Prompt (Admin).”
2. In the Command Prompt window, type “net stop spooler” and press Enter.
3. Next, type “reg delete HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows /v Device” and press Enter.
4. Then, type “reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows /v Device /t REG_SZ /d \\\\spooler\\\\,\\\\WINSPOOL” and press Enter.
5. Finally, type “net start spooler” and press Enter.

Once you’ve completed these steps, try setting the default printer again. This method has been known to resolve the printer error 0x00000709 and allow you to successfully print documents.

Note: This solution is applicable for Windows 7 and other Windows operating systems. If you’re using a different operating system, please refer to the appropriate documentation.

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Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.