How to Fix “Printer Has Experienced a Configuration Problem” in Windows 10

Quick answer: If Windows 10 says the printer has experienced a configuration problem, start with the printer troubleshooter, then remove and reinstall the printer, update or reinstall its driver, and reset the Print Spooler if jobs remain stuck. The error is broad, so the fastest approach is to rule out connection, driver, queue, and app-specific problems in that order.

Important: Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. A Windows 10 PC can still print, but Microsoft recommends moving to a supported Windows version for ongoing security and technical support. See Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-support notice.

Check the printer before changing Windows settings

First, eliminate simple hardware and connection issues. Turn the printer off, unplug it for about 30 seconds, reconnect it, and turn it back on. Confirm that paper is loaded, doors are closed, and the printer itself is not reporting a jam or ink/toner problem.

• For USB printers, reconnect the cable directly to the PC and try another USB port if available.
• For Wi-Fi printers, make sure the printer and PC are connected to the same network.
• Try printing a small document from another app, such as Notepad, to see whether the problem is limited to one program.

1. Run the Windows 10 printer troubleshooter

Microsoft's current Windows 10 guidance is to begin with the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Open Start, search for Get Help, launch it, and search for the printer troubleshooter. Follow the diagnostic prompts and apply any recommended fix.

If the troubleshooter does not resolve the error, continue with the steps below. Microsoft's full workflow is available in Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows.

2. Remove and reinstall the printer

A stale or damaged printer configuration can survive a restart. Reinstalling the printer forces Windows to rebuild that configuration.

1. Open Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select the affected printer and choose Remove device.
3. Restart the PC and power-cycle the printer.
4. Return to Printers & scanners, select Add a printer or scanner, and add the printer again.

For a network printer, confirm it is powered on and reachable on the same network before reinstalling it. Microsoft documents the supported install and removal steps in Add or install a printer in Windows.

3. Update or reinstall the printer driver

An incompatible or damaged driver can also trigger printing failures. Microsoft recommends checking Windows Update for printer drivers first. You can also use Device Manager to update or reinstall the printer device.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Printers or Print queues.
3. Right-click the printer and select Update driver.
4. If updating does not help, choose Uninstall device, restart the PC, and let Windows reinstall the device.

If your printer manufacturer still provides a Windows 10 driver or firmware package for your exact model, download it only from the manufacturer's official support site. See Microsoft's printer driver installation guidance for the supported options.

4. Reset Print Spooler and clear stuck jobs

If print jobs are stuck, disappear, or immediately fail, reset the Print Spooler. This clears temporary queue files that can prevent Windows from sending a clean job to the printer.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.

3. Open File Explorer and enter %WINDIR%\System32\spool\PRINTERS in the address bar.
4. Delete the files inside that folder. Do not delete the PRINTERS folder itself.

5. Return to Services, open Print Spooler, set Startup type to Automatic, and select Start.
6. Select OK, then try printing again.

5. Test printing from another app

Open Notepad, type a short line, and print it. If the Notepad test works but the original app still shows a configuration error, the printer and Windows printing service are probably working; focus on that app, document, or its print settings instead.

If the printer fails in every app after these steps, check the printer's own display or status page, network connection, and manufacturer support page. A printer that cannot complete its built-in self-test or reports a hardware fault needs printer-specific troubleshooting rather than more Windows configuration changes.