Windows 10: Losing default printer

This is a new behavior over the past few days - the default printer becomes unchecked, leaving me unable to print. Happens with or without a reboot. This would be relatively easy to fix each time, except that the Devices & Printers page takes 30-60 seconds to open. Any ideas? Thanks!

:)

 

Losing default printer

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft community and thank you for posting your query.

It would be great if you can provide more information regarding this issue. Please answer these questions.

• 
  What is the make and model of your printer?
  
• 
  Do you have all the updates installed?
  

I suggest you to try the methods provided below and check if it helps.

Method 1: Fix printer problems

Click on below link to run printer troubleshooter and check if it helps:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/...1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1

Method 2:
Update printer software and driver



To update please refer to the link

How to: Install and Update Hardware Drivers in Windows 10

Hope the information provided is helpful. Do let us know if you have any queries related to Windows, we will be happy to assist you.

 

Losing default printer

Hi,



Thank you for coming back to us. Try installing Windows update 1511 and let us know the status, we will be glad to help you.



Thanks.

 

It sounds like there's a problem with the Print Spooler service.
Have a look here for some suggestions to try...
[Fixed] Print Spooler Keeps Stopping Automatically in Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1 – How to Fix it?
Or try repairing windows from the Windows install DVD (or USB)

 

Hello Weamish, *Smile

If you're using build 10565, then using the tutorial below to turn off let Windows manage your default printer may help.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...t-printer.html

Until you get this sorted, here's a "Devices and Printers" shortcut to make it faster to open.

Devices and Printers Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

Thanks Brink. Created the shortcut, but still takes 30-60 secs for the folder to open.

 

Using build 10240

 

Hmm, sounds like it's having a delay detecting your devices for it to take that long to open Devices and Printers.

What brand and model printer is it?

Have you already tried uninstalling and reinstalling the printer drivers?

You might also check the printer cables to make sure they are securely connected at both ends.

 

Brother HL-2270DW. Reinstalled several times. Wireless, no cables. There are a bunch of items listed as printers which I never use, wonder if it would help to delete them (XPS Document Writer, Send to OneNote, Quicken PDF, PC Fax, Brother Maintenance)

 

I'd only remove one if that one is the one always being set as the default printer instead of your Brother printer.

 

There's no alternative default being set, so I guess we'll leave everything as is. Sure would like to speed up the opening of that folder though. It opened instantly in previous Win versions.

 

The other "printers" are there to help you create a PDF or XPS or whatever file from a document. Removing them you just lose this option. I am not sure if this will speed up your Devices and Printers window. If that makes you feel better, mine is slow too and I have seen a little delay in other computers as well.

Try setting Brother the default printer and then restart the computer and see if the setting is kept.

 

Have been thru this several times - sometimes the setting holds, other times it doesn't. And sometimes the setting is lost even without a reboot.

 

Something similar started happening to me with Build 1511. I have a landland attached fax modem I use to send info to the doctor. When I started using it after the build, my next print job wanted to go to the fax. I reset the default and all was good until I sent another fax.

I went to https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...tml#post502147 and turned off letting W10 handle the default.

Not sure that this is a good default. I have lots of software type printers ( one for PDFs, one for Kindle, etc) and I really want the actual printer to be the default. Hence the word default.

I changed the setting to let me decide.

And it does take my Devices and Printers a long time to find the devices also. I think that started with the new Build also.

Z

 

I have the same annoying issue at work. When I select Bullzip PDF printer to create a PDF, it then becomes default and I have to change the default printer again, only to change next time I use Bullzip PDF printer! I'll try turning off the auto assignment and see if that works. Thanks.