Windows 10: How do I fix default printer issues?

I have a windows 11 laptop with Printers A & B installed. "Let Windows manage the default printer" is UNCHECKED. I set Printer A to be the default, however, when I go to print from Adobe, Outlook, Word, or Firefox, Windows defaults to a "Printer B FAX Copy", an option not even listed in the device/printers settings. I have updated the laptop, restarted both machines laptop & printer. To clarify, if I choose the right printer from the drop down list, it will print correctly, so I know its not a connection issue. I can also print a test page from devices/printers and it fires off immed

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printer issues

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for your interest in Windows.

• Is it a wired or wireless printer?
• Is the printer connected via network to your computer?

I suggest you to make printer as a default printer you can follow the below steps:

• Press Windows key+ X and select
  device manager.
• Select devices and printers
• Right click on the printer you want to use, and then click
  set as default printer (You'll see a check mark on the printer's icon signifying that it's now your default printer).

I suggest you to update the drivers for the printers and check if it helps.

I also recommend you to run the print troubleshooter to check the issue.

Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows - Microsoft Support

Hope this information was helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.

 

Windows 10 - Cannot Set Printer Default

Hi Marc,

I suggest you to place the computer in Clean boot state and then try to make the default printer.

Perform clean boot to identify if any 3rd party service is causing this issue:

How to perform a clean boot in Windows - Microsoft Support

Note: After performing the troubleshooting steps in clean boot, follow
Step 3 from the link to start the computer to
Normal startup mode.

Note: Also applies to Windows 10.

To make printer as a default printer you can follow the below steps:

• 
  Press Windows key+ X and select
  device manager.
  
• 
  Select devices and printers
  
• 
  Right click on the printer you want to use, and then click
  set as default printer (You'll see a check mark on the printer's icon signifying that it's now your default printer).
  

Hope this helps. Please reply to us with the status of the issue.

Thanks.

 

Default network printer randomly defaults to the adobe PDF printer

Start button > Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners >click at your printer > click Set as Default > click at Microsoft Print to PDF > click Remove device > click Yes to confirm >
I would suggest that you enable Let Windows manage my default printer option. That way, your default printer will be the last printer used.