Troubleshooting Printer Stuck on ‘Removing Device’ Error in Windows PC

Key Notes

  • Clear the printer queue to resolve stuck device statuses.
  • Use Settings or Device Manager for effective printer removal.
  • Consider advanced tools like PowerShell for stubborn printer drivers.

Resolving Printer Removal Issues on Windows: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you facing the frustrating challenge of your printer being stuck in ‘Removing device’ status on Windows 11 or 10? This guide is designed to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue efficiently, ensuring that you can manage your printers without hassle.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resolve Printer Removal Issues

Step 1: Clear the Printer Queue

Begin by shutting down the Printer Spooler service, which manages printing tasks. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

Scroll down, find the Printer Spooler service, right-click on it, and select Stop. Next, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS using File Explorer, and delete all files in this directory.

After clearing the files, return to the Services app, right-click on Printer Spooler, and select Start to restart the service.

Step 2: Delete the Printer via Settings

Open the Settings app and navigate to Devices > Printers & Scanners. Find the printer you want to remove, click on it, and select Remove device or go through Apps > Installed apps to uninstall the printer driver.

Pro Tip: Always reboot your PC after making changes to drivers or devices.

Step 3: Remove the Printer from Print Server Properties

Access the Settings again and head to Print server settings found under Printers & Scanners. In the Drivers tab, select the printer from the list and click on Remove to delete its installation.

Step 4: Uninstall the Printer Using Device Manager

Press Win + X and launch Device Manager. Enable hidden devices under the View menu, expand Print queues, right-click the printer to uninstall it, and confirm the action.

Step 5: Utilize Print Management for Device Deletion

Run printmanagement.msc via the Run dialog, access the Print Servers section, find your printer, right-click, and select Delete to remove it.

Step 6: Remove the Printer Driver with Command Prompt or PowerShell

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator. Use wmic printer get name in Command Prompt to list printers, and then remove a stubborn printer driver with printui.exe /dl /n "Printer-Name".

In PowerShell, list drivers with Get-PrinterDriver | Format-List Name and remove with Remove-PrinterDriver -Name "Printer-Name". Restart to ensure changes take effect.

Additional Tips

  • Regularly update your printer drivers to avoid complications.
  • Check for any pending print jobs before attempting removal.
  • Utilize the FAQ section for quick resolution strategies.

Summary

Resolving issues with printers stuck in the ‘Removing device’ stage can be managed through various methods including clearing the print queue, uninstalling via Settings or Device Manager, and leveraging advanced tools like Print Management and PowerShell. Following these methods should help you regain control over your printer management effectively.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting printer removal can be daunting, but by methodically following the outlined steps, you can efficiently resolve issues related to your printer’s status. Don’t hesitate to revisit this guide whenever you encounter similar problems.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I stop my printer from removing?

To prevent users from deleting printer devices, access the Local Group Policy Editor under User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Printers. Enable the Prevent deletion of printers setting policy.

How do I cancel a print job that won’t delete?

To cancel print jobs, navigate to the Printers & Scanners section in Settings, select your printer, and manage the queued print jobs.