Ever been in a situation where your Group Policy keeps you throwing the error “Windows failed to apply the deployed printer connections settings“? If you are facing this difficulty like a lot of users in adding shared printers, then either your printer is offline and it is not detectable as a shared resource. Or there is some network misalignment and your client’s computer is not on the same network as the print server.
Another reason can be that you don’t have the necessary administrative privileges for the policy administrator. Without the necessary rights, installing printers or adding drivers becomes inaccessible. But no need to panic. I’ve dealt with these issues firsthand, and I’m here to help. In this guide, I will tell you the easiest ways to get rid of this error.
Key Takeaways
- “Windows Failed to Apply Printer Connections Settings” indicates issues with Group Policy not applying printer settings as expected.
- The major reasons for this error are printer offline status, network misalignment, i.e. client computer not being on the same network as the print server, and insufficient admin privileges.
- To fix this issue, you can ensure proper permissions by running Group Policy Editor as an Administrator, restarting the Group Policy Service and setting it to automatic startup, removing default printers, refreshing policy settings, or resetting Group Policy Editor.
I have gone through the hassle of researching and finding the best solutions that can help you get rid of this error. Simply follow these steps, and you will be good to go:
Refresh Group Policy Settings
Another easy fix that our team found, which often seems to do the trick, is to Refresh Group Policy Settings. This process essentially updates and synchronizes policy settings across the network, addressing any inconsistencies or outdated configurations. Many users on Reddit have also benefitted from this. You can do this by following these simple steps:
- Open CMD As Administrator: Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “cmd” into the search bar. You will see “Command Prompt” in the search results. Select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
Running CMD as an Administrator - Refresh Group Policy Settings: In the Command Prompt window, type the “gpupdate /force” command and press Enter. This command forces an immediate update of Group Policy settings on the computer.
Refreshing Group Policy Settings on Windows (Image by Emopulse) - Wait For The Process To Complete: Allow some time for the Group Policy update process to complete. Depending on your network and system configuration, this may take a few moments.
Remove The Default Printers
Incorrectly added printers may persist in Group Policy references, causing errors. This can result from network interruptions or misconfigurations during setup. So, I tried removing default printers to ensure only the correct ones are managed by Group Policy, preventing conflicts. You can also try this by following these steps:
- Identify Incorrectly Added Printers: Press the Windows key, type “Settings” and press Enter to open it. In the Settings window, click on “Bluetooth & devices” and then select “Printers & scanners.”
Printer and Scanners in the Settings app - Access Printer Settings: In the Printers & scanners window, locate the printers that need to be removed. Click on the printer you want to remove to select it.
Available devices in Printers and Scanners Settings - Remove Incorrect Printers: Click on the “Remove device” button below the selected printer. Confirm the removal of the printer when prompted.
Removing a printer from your PC - Repeat for All Client Computers: If you have multiple Windows 11 devices, repeat the above steps on each device to remove the incorrect printers.
Restart Group Policy Service
I discovered that one of the easiest fixes to fix this error is to restart the Group Policy Service. It refreshes the settings and configurations related to Group Policy, often clearing any glitches or conflicts. To do this, follow these steps:
- Access Services: Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Now type “services.msc” into the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will open the Services window.
Running Services App from Run in Windows - Locate Group Policy Service: In the Services window, scroll down or use the search bar to locate the “Group Policy Client” service.
Microsoft Services App - Restart the Service: Right-click on the “Group Policy Client” service and select “Restart” from the context menu.
Restarting Group Policy Client - Confirm Restart: If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click “Yes” to allow the restart of the service.
Reset Group Policy Editor
In my experience, if you reset the Group Policy Editor it can also resolve this issue. This process restores the editor to its default state, clearing any customizations or configurations that may be causing problems. You can do this by following these simple steps:
- Open CMD as Administrator: Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “cmd” into the search bar. “Command Prompt” will appear in the search results. Select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
Running CMD as an Administrator - Reset Group Policy Editor: In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
RD /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers" && RD /S /Q %WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy gpupdate /force
Resetting Group Policy Editor on Windows - Restart Your PC: After executing the commands, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Make Sure You Have Admin Privileges
To fix printer access issues, another thing I tried was to make sure I had the necessary permissions on the Group Policy Object (GPO). If you’re encountering denied access, it’s likely due to using a standard account. Run the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) as an Administrator to elevate permissions.
This grants you the authority to adjust printer settings smoothly. Also, ensure your account is part of the Administrators group to add network printers seamlessly across your network.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, This error can arise due to various reasons such as offline printers, network misalignment, or insufficient administrative privileges. Reports from forums indicate that users have experienced this error after Windows updates or the installation of new software. In my personal experience, this error can be resolved using various methods, including refreshing Group Policy settings, removing incorrect printers, restarting the Group Policy Service, resetting the Group Policy Editor, and ensuring administrative privileges.
For similar Windows guides, make sure to check out:
- How To Turn Off Efficiency Mode In Windows 11
- How To Fix Windows 10: Error Code 0x80080008
- How To Disable Firewall On Windows
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the error "Windows failed to apply the deployed printer connections settings" indicate?
This error suggests that Group Policy is encountering difficulties in applying printer settings as intended.
What are the common reasons for encountering this error?
Common reasons include printer offline status, network misalignment, and insufficient administrative privileges.
How can I resolve this error?
You can resolve this error by ensuring proper permissions, restarting the Group Policy Service, removing default printers, refreshing Group Policy settings, or resetting the Group Policy Editor.
How do I refresh Group Policy settings?
To refresh Group Policy settings, open Command Prompt as administrator and execute the command "gpupdate /force".
What is the process for removing default printers?
To remove default printers, access the "Printers & scanners" settings, select the printer to remove, and click "Remove device".
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