Windows 10: Printer keeps showing as "Unspecified" device when added via server UNC path

Hi Community,


I'm a tech working in an organisation which uses a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VMware Horizon. I've already ruled out an issue with this system and it's dynamic environment manager, so it seems to be a windows-specific issue.


Environment is using Windows 10 Pro for 10.0.18363 build 18363 for the virtual desktops.


I've got an issue with one of the desktop pools whereby one of the network printers doesn't load into Windows correctly. If you add the printer directly, i.e. go into "Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Add Printer > The printer I wanted wasn't listed > Add via TCP/IP" then add it directly via its IP address, it loads in and shows as a printer in the Devices and Printers menu - this is great, however we don't add printers this way.


Printers are added in via the server UNC path, so \\server-name\printer. It's added via DEM like Group Policy, but not group policy... does the same thing. If we add it using this method, it shows as an "Unspecified" device under the Devices and Printers menu. In Device manager, it shows under "other devices".








When right-clicking the "Unspecified" device it does not give any options for printer properties, preferences like you'd expect. It shows options to Create Shortcut, Remove device, troubleshoot, or Properties. When clicking into Properties it loads "General" and "Hardware" tabs.


If you run the troubleshooter it says it couldn't find a problem and then forces the device up into the correct category under Devices and Printers but it's still listed the same way in device manager and the correct options still do not load when you right-click.


Weirdly, if you go into an app like MS word and try to print to it, it works... It also allows you to access the device preferences page....

This is causing our users some issues. It seems that because Windows categorises it as Unspecified, DEM can not set the printer as the default and they can't do it via the Devices and Printers menu manually as it doesn't give them that option.


Tried uninstalling and readding etc. Been trying to re-add it for literally hours - banging my head on the desk.


The printer is a RICOH MP C307 running on the Ricoh universal Driver 4.19. I've tried updating this and using the specific MP C307 driver - it does the same thing. It also works on several other desktops without issue - it's just this one having the issue.




Has anyone ever had this issue before? Any advice?



If you need further info/screenshots let me know.





Cheers all


[deelz]

:)

 

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