Windows 10: Cannot connect to any shared printers from some Windows 10 workstations

Hello,

We have a Windows domain with about 3000 endpoints, all running Windows 10 version 1909. One week ago users started to report that they cannot print to any device shared from any print server. They also cannot install any new printers from any print server regardless of the printer manufacturer or model. If a tech logs into the computer under a different profile, they also cannot install any printers from any print server. However, if we assign the affected end user to a new computer they can install printers just fine. The problem does not follow the user. Oddly this doesn't seem to affect everyone at the same time. We are getting 2-10 callers per day.


Most users are working just fine with no issues. They can install and use printers from both print servers. We have two, one running Server 2016 and another running Server 2019. The issue seems to be isolated to these workstations. The issue appeared exactly 7 days ago, but no updates, security patches or new software were installed immediately prior to the start of the problem. I have reviewed change logs and no changes were made to the network or domain either.


So far the only solution we have found is to reinstall the operating system. There are no log files for these events on either the client or the print server. We tried removing the computer form the domain and rejoining and removing all printers and drivers. Wireshark doesn't show any issues with communication to the print server. We can clearly see the client send an OpenPrinterEx request, it gets the expected response from the server, and then the client inexplicably sends a ClosePrinter Request. The client and the server repeat this several times before it fails.


The errors we receive pop-up almost instantaneously.

When browsing to the print server by using the UNC path \\PrintServer, then right-click-> Connect on the desired printer we get the error:Windows couldn't connect to the printer. Check the printer name and try again. If this is a network printer, make sure the printer is turned on, and that the printer address is correct.





When attempting to install by opening Printers and scanners and selecting "Add a printer or scanner", we get the error:We can't install this printer right now. Try again later or contact your network administrator for help. The Error #14 doesn't seem to be valid error that I can find?





We are baffled and would appreciate any assistance.

Thank you

:)

 

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