Fix Error 0x00000709 Unable to Set Default Printer in Windows 10 / 11 (Solved)

Windows 10 is known to have many bugs and errors since the day it was released. With time, Microsoft has worked to fix many of them, but they just keep appearing.

The latest error which is irritating many Windows 10 users is error code 0x00000709. In this error, the computer is unable to set the default printer. If you have connected and have used just one printer on your computer, you may not face this error. Windows 10 users who use more than one printer on their computer are facing this issue.

If you are facing this problem, don’t worry. We will help you fix this error using our methods. Simply follow the methods mentioned below, one by one, until the issue is fixed.

How to Fix Error 0x00000709 Unable to Set Default Printer

If your computer has just one printer installed on it, then that printer is automatically set to default. But, if there is more than one printer installed, then the user has to set or change the default printer. And this is where the error 0x00000709 occurs.

Method 1 – Set Permissions

In most of the cases, this error is caused due to registry error. So, in this method, we will try to edit and fix the registry.

Step 1. Right click on start button on taskbar and select Run.

Screenshot 2022 12 06 154024 Min

Step 2. Type regedit in Run window and click on OK. Click on Yes when asked for confirmation.

 

 

Run Regedit

 

Step 3. Now, on the left side of the registry window, follow the following path.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > Windows



 

 Fix Printer Registry Path

 

Step 4. Right-click on the Windows folder and select Permissions.

 

Windows Permissions

 

 

Step 5. Select the Administrators account under Group or user names, and then make sure that the Full Control is marked at Allow. Click OK after that.

Also do the same procedure for your username also.

 

 

Permissions For Windows Full Control Printer Registry Fix

 

 

Step 6 – Click on Add

Screenshot 2022 12 06 153608 Min

 

Step 7 – Click Everyone and click OK.

Screenshot 2022 12 06 153710 Min

 

Step 8 – Select Everyone and then select Full control and select Read permission.

Step 9 – Click Apply

Screenshot 2022 12 06 153759 Min

 

Step 8. Restart your computer after completing the last step.

Now, try again. This method must have fixed the issue. If you are still facing the problem, follow the next method.

Method 3 –  Stop Windows from Managing the Default Printer

The Windows has a feature which allows it to manage the default printer according to the one last used at a particular location. This doesn’t always works perfectly and is known to create the error 0x00000709. So, we will disable this feature in this method. Follow the steps to perform this method.

 

Step 1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Settings.

 

Open Settings 1

 

Step 2. Go to Devices.

 

Devices ]

 

Step 3. Select Printers & scanners from the left menu.

Step 4. Here, disable Let Windows manage my default printer by unmarking the box beside it.

 

Unmark Let Windows Manage My Default Printer

 

Step 5. Restart your computer.

 

This should fix the issue. If the error is still not solved, follow the next method.

 

 

Method 4 –  Set Default Printer Manually

After disabling the feature to manage default printer, let’s select the default printer manually. Follow the steps to perform this method.

 

Step 1. Go to Cortana and type Control Panel. Select the same from results.

 

Open Control Panel Pink

 

Step 2. Select Hardware and Sound.

 

Hardware And Sound Control Panel 1

 

Step 3. Go to Devices and Printers.

 

Devices And Printers Control Panel

 

Step 4. Right-click on your printer and select Set as default printer.

 

Right Click Printer Set As Default Printer

 

Step 5. Restart your computer.



 

Check if this method has fixed your problem, or not. If it didn’t, try the next method.

 

Method 5 – Repair Corrupt System Files

Many errors simply occur due to corrupt system files. In this method, we will repair the corrupt system files using SFC scan and DISM tool. Follow the steps to perform this method.

 

Run SFC scan

Step 1. Go to Cortana and type Command prompt. Right-click on Command prompt from results and select Run as administrator.

 

Command Prompt As Admin

 

Step 2. Enter the following command in Command prompt window and press Enter.

sfc /scannow

 

Step 3. Wait for the scanning and fixing process to finish. This could take up to 15 minutes.

 

Step 4. When the process is done, restart your computer.

 

 

Run DISM tool

Step 1. Go to Cortana and type Command prompt. Right-click on Command prompt from results and select Run as administrator.

 

 

Command Prompt As Admin

 

Step 2. Enter the following command in Command prompt window and press Enter.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

 

Step 3. Wait for DISM tool to finish the scanning and fixing process. It will take at least 20 minutes, so be patient.

 

Step 4. When the DISM tool is done repairing the files, restart your computer.

 

This should fix the issue. If you are still facing the problem, perform the next method.

 

 

Method 6 – Create a New User Account

If nothing has worked for you so far, then you should create a new user account. Follow the steps to create a new user account to fix the issue.



 

Step 1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Run.

 

Run Run

 

Step 2. Type netplwiz in Run and click OK.

 

Run Netplwiz

 

Step 3. Under the Users tab, select Add to create a new user account.

 

Add User Tab

 

Step 4. The last step will open How will this person sign in? screen. Here, click on Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended).

 

Sign In Without A Microsoft Account

 

Step 5. On the Add a user screen, select Local account.

 

Local Account

 

Step 6. In this step, fill the User name, Password and Reenter password of your choice for the new user account. Don’t enter anything in Password hint. Now, click on Next and follow the on-screen instructions to create the new user account.

 

Enter User Name Password

 

When you are done creating a new user account, sign in in the new user account. You won’t face any error anymore.

We hope we were able to help you fix this error. If you were able to solve this problem using some other method, or if you have any questions regarding this issue, please mention them below in comments.