How to Fix unable to install printer. operation could not be completed Windows 11, 10, 8

Question
Help! I’m encountering an error message that says ‘Operation could not be completed’ while trying to install a printer. Has anyone else experienced this issue? How did you resolve it? I’ve tried restarting my computer and checking the connections, but the problem persists. Any suggestions or troubleshooting tips would be greatly appreciated!
Solution:

Setting up a printer should be a straightforward task, but encountering an error message that says “Operation could not be completed” can be frustrating. If you’re a Windows 11 user struggling to install your printer due to this error, fear not! In this article, we’ll explore some troubleshooting steps to help you overcome this issue and get your printer up and running smoothly.

Troubleshooting:

Before attempting to resolve the “Unable to install printer. Operation could not be completed” error, it is important to follow these startup steps:

1. Unplug the cable and restart your printer.
2. Ensure that the wireless connection or connecting cable is functioning properly.
3. Check the manufacturer’s website to verify the compatibility of your printer with your Windows operating system.

These steps will help ensure that the printer and its connections are in proper working order before proceeding with troubleshooting the installation error.

Solution 1: Fix using the PC Repair Tool

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Outbyte PC Repair Tool does all the above task easily and provides you an errorfree and smooth Windows environment to work so that you can focus on your business only.

3 Steps to Fix this Error
Step 1. Download Outbyte PC Repair Tool [File Size: 16.4 MB]
Step 2. SCAN your Windows PC
Step 3. Click Fix button to Repair Error
System Requirements       Features      Awards      Windows 11/10/8/7 Comaptible

Solution 2: Reset Printer Spooler Service

Resetting the printer spooler service in Windows 11 is an important troubleshooting step to fix issues related to printer installation or print job errors. By resetting the printer spooler service, you can remove any corrupted files or bugs that may be stopping proper printer functionality on your Windows 11/10 system.

Reset Printer Spooler - Step by Step
Step 1: Open the administrative command prompt.
open command prompt as administrator in Windows 8, 10 & 11
Step 2: Run the following commands respectively.
net stop spooler
del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers* /Q
net start spooler
Step 3: Restart the computer.

Solution 3: Install or Update the Printer Driver

Outdated or incompatible printer drivers can be a common cause of installation errors. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers specifically designed for Windows 11. Install these updated drivers and then try installing the printer once more.
Alternatively, you can use DriverEasy to scan and download missing/corrupted/outdated driver automatically.

Solution 4: Use Printer Troubleshooter

Windows 11 comes with a built-in troubleshooter designed to detect and fix “unable to install printer. operation could not be completed” issue. You can access the printer troubleshooter as follows:

Run Printer Troubleshooter - Windows 11
Step 1: Go to Windows Settings → System → Troubleshoot.
1_Settings_System_Troubleshoot
Step 2: Click on Other trouble-shooters.
2_other_troubleshooters
Step 3: Click on Run button next to Printer trouble-shooter.
3_run_printer_troubleshooter
Step 4: The next window will ask for your consent to proceed. Click Yes to start Printer troubleshooter.
4_troubleshooting_consent
Step 5: The next window will guide you what to do. If the problem is not resolved by applying the methods on the troubleshooting window, click No to start diagnosing your problem.
5_follow_printer_guidelines
Step 6: The troubleshooter will start diagnosing your computer to find problems. It will guide you through the process to fix printer error.
6_diagnosing_your_computer

Solution 5: Remove & Re-install Printer.

Re-installing the Printer can help you to fix the above outlined error. You can re-install the printer as follows:

Re-Install Printer
Step 1: Open Printers & scanners settings. Go to the Start → Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners.
Step 2: Find your printer and click on it.
Step 3: Here, you will find various options to change the printer settings including the removing printer. Run the following tests.
1. Open print queue and if there is pending queue, delete it.
2. Print test page – you can also use this feature to printing test page.
3. Run the troubleshooter – You can use this feature to run troubleshooter on selected printer.
Step 4: Remove the printer.
Step 5: Do the following steps in a row.
  1. Restart your printer.
  2. Connect the printer to PC.
  3. Restart your computer. Make sure your printer is turned on while computer restarts.
  4. Your OS will automatically detect the printer and start installing necessary components and drivers.
  5. Go to the Start → Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners.
  6. Select Add Device to add the printer manually.

Summary:

If you are consistently encountering the error “Unable to install printer. Operation could not be completed” on Windows 11, 10, or 8, it is important to follow the steps outlined in this article. By implementing the methods suggested, you can effectively prevent and resolve this issue.