How to fix error 0x0000011b when printing over the network on Windows 11

Although this can be frustrating, there are proven methods to restore printing capabilities in shared environments.

This article includes several ways to fix printer error 0x0000011B, implementation considerations for businesses, and frequently asked questions.

How to fix printer operation error 0x0000011B

⚠️These methods require admin privileges.

Method 1: Add Registry fixes to print host.

Note : This method will modify important system settings in the Windows Registry. Before beginning, please back up your data.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a protocol that allows service requests to be made between networked devices. Some Windows updates (e.g., KB5005565) increased the RPC authentication level, restricting shared printer connections and causing error 0x0000011B.

Here's how to disable RPC execution using Registry Editor:

⚠️This fix reduces your security level and is considered a temporary solution. Only apply this method on trusted networks.

1. On the server, press Win + R , type regedit , and press Enter.
2. Using the address bar of the Registry Editor, paste the following line into the folder: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetControlPrint
3. In the right pane, double-click the RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled key to modify it. If you don't see RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled , right-click an empty space in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) . Name the key RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled and press Enter .
4. In the Value field , enter 0 .
5. Click OK .
6. Restart the print host computer.

PowerShell alternatives

You can also use PowerShell to bypass RPC authentication by running the following command:

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:SystemCurrentControlSetControlPrint' -Name 'RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled' -Value 0 -Type DWord

Method 2: Connecting via local port

This method establishes a local connection between the device and the network printer, bypassing RPC implementation.

1. Press Win + R , type Control , and press Enter .
2. From the Control Panel (icon view), navigate to Devices and Printers > View more devices > More devices and printers settings .
3. Click Add a printer > The printer that I want isn't listed .
4. Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings .
5. Click Next .
6. Select Create a new port and set it to Local Port .
7. When prompted, enter the printer's network path in the following format:

8. "HostName"  "PrinterName" . 
   Where "HostName" is the name/IP address of the host computer and "PrinterName"       

   . Where is the name/ IP address of the host computer and is the display name of the printer shared on the host computer (for example, OfficePCHP_DeskJet).
9. When prompted, install the correct printer driver.

Method 3: Restore the affected update (not recommended for long-term use)

Note : This fix weakens your security and should only be considered a temporary solution. Apply this method only in trusted networks or as a last resort.

You can uninstall the Windows update that introduced strict RPC authentication (e.g., KB5005565) to restore printing functionality. However, critical security patches will also be lost, potentially leaving your organization's network vulnerable to known flaws.

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall updates .
2. Find and uninstall the update you want to remove on the server (e.g., KB5005565).
3. Go back to the Windows Update screen and pause the update to prevent it from automatically reinstalling.

Method 4: Migrate to a print server or IP-based deployment.

For a long-term solution, consider switching to IP-based printing or a dedicated print server  . This permanent fix not only enhances stability through centralized management but also scales with your growth and eliminates error 0x0000011B.

1. Assess your current peer-to-peer (P2P) environment and record which printers are assigned to each user/department.
2. Choose a print server solution:
   
   1. Hardware (e.g., physical servers)
   2. Software (e.g., dedicated Windows server, Linux CPUs server, etc.)
   3. Cloud-based (e.g., Microsoft Universal Print)
3. Assign a static IP address to your printer via the control panel/web interface.
4. Delete old P2P connections.
5. Add printers to the new server using their IP addresses.
6. Install the appropriate driver for each printer.
7. Set up permissions and access controls (for example, which users/departments can print on which devices).
8. Share the printer over the network using the new print server.
9. Perform print tests, monitor the server's print logs, and regularly update the server's drives and software.

Prerequisites for fixing printer error 0x0000011B

If your printer is displaying error 0x0000011B, consider your organization's needs, capabilities, and resources before attempting troubleshooting. If these methods aren't suitable for your IT environment, you can always try using a different printer or transferring the file to a working machine.

Admin privileges

Before you attempt to fix error 0x0000011B, make sure you have administrator privileges on the system. Admin privileges will allow you to access system settings and save changes. For example, Windows will check for administrator privileges when you try to manually configure printer sharing settings.

The printer can detect it.

Ensure your printer is discoverable on the network to avoid connection errors such as error 0x0000011B. To do this, check that the printer is powered on, connected to the same network, and that both the printer and the client computer have network discover functionality.

Update the Print Spooler service.

An outdated or corrupted print spooler service can cause error 0x0000011B. Before troubleshooting, apply the latest Windows Update that includes spooler patches and restart the Print Spooler service.

Additional notes for resolving error 0x0000011b

Here's how you can manually configure Group Policy to include trusted printers in Point and Print Restrictions:

1. Press Win + R , type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
2. Using the left pane of the Group Policy Editor, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers > Point and Print Restrictions .
3. In the right-hand pane, double-click the Point and Print Restrictions policy.
   
   1. Select Enable .
   2. Add a trusted print server in the Users can only point and print to these servers to modify it section .
   3. Set the " When installing drivers for a new connection to modify it" and " When updating drivers for an existing connection to modify it" settings to display/disable the warning prompts.
4. Click Apply , then select OK .
5. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

If you still can't print on the desired device, make sure the Print Spooler is running correctly on both the host and client PCs. To check its status, simply open a command-line shell with administrator privileges (e.g., Command Prompt , PowerShell , etc.) and run the following code:

sc query spooler

Printing over a shared network requires access to communication ports, which may be blocked by Windows Firewall as a precaution. While this isn't the most secure method, you can try temporarily disabling the firewall on a secured network to resolve printer installation error 0x0000011b.

Quick fixes for error 0x0000011B help ensure continued productivity in your business. While some fixes are safer than others, you can completely resolve error 0x0000011b by stopping peer-to-peer sharing and setting up a reliable print server that can grow with your business.