Forum Discussion
My printers don't work after I reinstalled Microsoft 365
I recently had to reinstall Microsoft 365. The software now works quite well, but I can't print a document in Microsoft Word or from anywhere in Windows 11. I have two printers: an HP Envy Inspire 7900e AIO and a Brother HL-L2420DW. Both printers worked before the reinstall, and both printers work without any problems on the Mac side of my laptop. (I use a Mac with Parallels to run Windows 11.) When I try to print from MS-Word in Windows 11, I select a printer from the list in the Print dialog. Then I have to wait for a printer connection. A few seconds later, I get a notice that the printer is "in an error state."
My first thought was that I'll have to reinstall my printers in Windows 11, but I went looking for help. An AI helper I've consulted a few times walked me through a labyrinth of steps to fix the problem. The steps involved using the Command prompt or PowerShell (Administrator), but so far I've not had any luck. Seems to me I'll do as well by simply removing and reinstalling the printers. But that thought brings up more questions. I installed both printers using the manufacturer's instructions. For example, the HP AIO I installed with the full-feature software.
My question: Do I need to do anything special before I reinstall the printers? Do I simply go to Printers & Scanners and delete my printers and then reinstall them? Also, will any of this affect these same printers on the Mac side?
2 Replies
I did not plan to reinstall Microsoft 365. This morning, I simply removed both my physical printers, then reinstalled them through the Printers & Scanners applet. I did not go to HP and install all their full-feature software. Then both printers printed a test page (good). Next, I tried to print a document from MS-Word. The first response was an error message: Can't print that document. But no sooner did the error message appear than did the printer go ahead and print the document anyway. Go figure. Thanks for your reply!
Because neither printer works from any Windows application, while both still print from macOS, investigate Windows printing rather than reinstalling Microsoft 365 again. Removing and adding a Windows printer is a documented troubleshooting step, but first determine whether each queue is a direct network printer or supplied through Parallels sharing.
Record its name, connection type, and settings, and cancel pending jobs. Test with one printer first: open Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners, select that printer, and choose Remove. Add it again through Add device, then print a Windows test page before trying Word.
If this is Windows on ARM, Microsoft recommends adding printers through Windows when manufacturer installers fail. Do not reset the physical printers or change their working macOS configuration. If Parallels provides the printer connection, check its sharing integration with Parallels support; Microsoft's Windows instructions do not establish how that integration behaves
