Methods to Medication the “Another Computer Is Using the Printer” Error on Home windows 10 & 11

Printing paperwork and pictures is very important for plenty of customers. Then again, some customers’ printers don’t print as a result of a Home windows error message that claims, “Another computer is using the printer.” Customers have reported this mistake message seems after they choose to print in Home windows device programs.


This mistake message suggests the printer can’t print as it’s already in virtue via every other pc. Then again, the mistake additionally arises for house customers who aren’t sharing their printers with alternative computer systems on group networks. That is how you’ll be able to cure the “Another computer is using the printer” error on Home windows 10 & 11.


1. Restart the Printer

Restarting the printer is an easy imaginable cure that’s importance a aim. The printer might be caught with a previous request, which making use of this resolution may unravel. So, energy off your printer for a couple of mins and later flip it again on to look if that makes a too much.

2. Deselect the “Allow Windows to Manage My Default Printer” Choice

The Permit Home windows to lead my default printer possibility units essentially the most not too long ago impaired printer to be the default one when enabled. It will motive problems if the printer with which you’re looking to print isn’t eager as default. You’ll be able to flip off that atmosphere as follows:

  1. Proper-click the button for opening the Get started menu to choose Seek.
  2. Kind printers & scanners throughout the seek worth.
  3. Choose Printers & scanners to noticeable that Settings category.
  4. Flip off the Permit Home windows to lead my default printer atmosphere via clicking that possibility’s toggle transfer.

  5. After choose your printer in Atmosphere to click on its I’m ready as default button.
    The Set as default button

Chances are you’ll see an extra WS printer indexed in Settings (maximum in most cases for Canon fashions). The WS stands for internet services and products, and that printer shouldn’t be your default one. Build positive your usual printer is ready as default.

3. Make the most of the Print Troubleshooter

Home windows has a Printer troubleshooter that’s there to stumble on and unravel all way of printing problems. So, that troubleshooter may feasibly deal an answer for the “Another computer is using the printer” error. This easy methods to run any troubleshooter put up explains how you’ll be able to get right of entry to that troubleshooter within the Home windows 11/10 Settings app.

The Printer troubleshooter

Build positive the printer’s cable is hooked up in your PC prior to operating the Printer troubleshooter if it’s a non-wireless one. After choose your printer style inside the troubleshooter and observe the prospective medications prompt.

4. Get started or Restart the Print Spooler

Print spooler is a carrier for dealing with print jobs. Some customers say they’ve been ready to cure the “Another computer is using the printer” error via restarting that carrier. You’ll be able to observe that answer via following the step by step directions in our how-to restart the printer spooler article. If the carrier isn’t already operating, click on its Get started possibility.

The Restart option for the Print Spooler service

5. Unclouded the Printers Folder

The Printers folder is a spooler listing that retail outlets print jobs within the queue. Deleting recordsdata in that folder is a possible resolution for the “Another computer is using the printer” error as that may unclouded the print queue. That is how you’ll be able to unclouded the Printers folder on Home windows 11/10:

  1. To noticeable Products and services, press the Home windows brand + R key aggregate, kind services and products.msc into Run, and choose OK.
  2. Proper-click the Print spooler carrier and choose Forbid.
    The Stop option

  3. Press the Home windows + E keyboard keys to turn on the record supervisor software.
  4. Advance to this folder trail:
     C:Home windowsSystem32spoolPRINTERS 
  5. Choose the entirety within the Printers folder via urgent Ctrl + A.
    The PRINTERS folder

  6. Press the Del keyboard button to erase the chosen recordsdata.
  7. Go back to the Products and services app, right-click Print spooler, and choose Get started.

6. Disconnect Earlier Customers

If you happen to percentage your PC with alternative customers, the “Another computer is using the printer” error might be because of a prior person who hasn’t been utterly logged off. You’ll be able to treatment that via disconnecting earlier customers with Activity Supervisor like this:

  1. Proper-click any length at the taskbar to choose the Activity Supervisor shortcut.
  2. Click on the Customers tab.
  3. Proper-click a prior person proven at the Customers tab and choose Disconnect.
    The Disconnect option

  4. Repeat the former step to disconnect all customers alternative than your self proven inside Activity Supervisor.

7. Replace the Printer’s Motive force

Antiquated printer drivers could cause a variety of printing problems. So, you could want to replace your printer’s motive force to unravel the “Another computer is using the printer” error if alternative attainable answers aren’t efficient.

You’ll be able to replace a printer’s motive force via manually downloading it from the producer’s site. The Epson, HP, Cannon, Brother, and Xerox websites come with motive force obtain divisions for his or her respective printer fashions. While you’ve downloaded the driving force on your printer, you’ll be able to double-click at the motive force setup bundle to put in it. This text about discovering and changing old-fashioned drivers on Home windows supplies additional main points for updating tool drivers.

The printer driver downloads section on the HP website

Getting the “Another computer is using the printer” error fastened is very important for the various customers who can’t have enough money to lose printing capability. Thankfully, a variety of customers have resolved that printing factor with the prospective Home windows 11/10 medications lined right here. So, making use of them will most likely get that factor looked after in your Home windows PC, and later you’ll be able to print in your middle’s content material once more.

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