Printer Test Page Failed — How to Fix It
Step-by-step fixes for Windows printer errors, blank test pages, stuck queues, and offline printers.
Try our free test page instead →Quick fix — try these first
Restart the Print Spooler
Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click → Restart. This fixes most stuck queue issues.
Cancel all pending jobs
Open Settings → Printers & Scanners → select your printer → Open print queue → cancel all documents.
Check printer is online
In the print queue, click Printer menu and ensure "Use Printer Offline" is NOT checked.
Reinstall the printer driver
Remove the printer from Settings → Printers & Scanners, download the latest driver from the manufacturer's website, and reinstall.
Use our web-based test page
Our test page bypasses the Windows print spooler — it opens a browser window and prints directly from the browser, avoiding driver and spooler issues.
Windows Printer Error Codes
| Error Code | Description | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 0x0000011b | Network printer access denied after Windows Update | Set RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled registry key to 0 (see FAQ below) |
| 0x00000709 | Cannot set default printer | Delete the Device key in HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows |
| 0x0000007c | Printer driver error / incorrect print processor | Reinstall the printer driver using the manufacturer's latest installer |
| 0x00000006 | Invalid handle — spooler or driver mismatch | Stop Print Spooler, clear the spool folder, restart Print Spooler |
| 0x0000007e | Printer driver not found | Download and reinstall the correct driver from the printer manufacturer's site |
| 0x00000057 | Parameter is incorrect — driver/ OS mismatch | Remove the printer, download the correct 32 or 64-bit driver, reinstall |
Fix Error 0x0000011b — Step by Step
Error 0x0000011b was introduced by Windows Update KB5005565 and KB5006670. It blocks network-shared printers. Here's the registry fix:
Press Win + R, type regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print
Right-click in the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new value: RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled
Double-click it and set the Value data to 0, then click OK.
Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click → Restart.
Try printing your test page again. It should now work.
Clear the Print Spooler
A corrupted or overloaded print spooler is the most common cause of test pages failing. Here's how to clear it:
# Run these commands in Command Prompt as Administrator:
net stop spooler
del /Q /F /S "%systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*"
net start spooler
After running these commands, try printing a test page again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my printer test page fail on Windows?
Common causes include a stuck print spooler, a corrupt printer driver, an outdated KB5005565 or KB5006670 Windows Update causing error 0x0000011b, or a misconfigured default printer.
How do I fix Windows printer error 0x0000011b?
Error 0x0000011b is caused by a Windows Update that changed network printing security. Fix: Open Registry Editor → HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print → create a DWORD value named RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled and set it to 0. Restart the Print Spooler service.
How do I clear a stuck print queue in Windows?
Open Services (services.msc), stop the Print Spooler service. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files inside (not the folder). Restart the Print Spooler service. Your queue will be cleared.
My printer test page is blank — what does that mean?
A blank test page usually means the printer is printing but the ink or toner is not reaching the page. Check ink/toner levels, run a head-cleaning cycle, and ensure the protective tape has been removed from a new cartridge.
How do I fix printer error 0x00000709?
Error 0x00000709 means Windows cannot set the default printer. Fix: Open Registry Editor → HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows → find the Device key and delete it. Then set your default printer again in Settings → Printers & Scanners.
The printer says 'offline' but is connected — how do I fix it?
Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & Scanners → select your printer → Open print queue → Printer menu → uncheck 'Use Printer Offline'. If that doesn't work, remove and re-add the printer.
Printer working again? Test it here
Print a free test page to confirm your printer is working correctly after the fix.
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