If you’ve encountered the message “your printer has experienced 0x800706ba” on Windows 11 or Windows 10, you’re dealing with a fairly common but frustrating connectivity error. The “0x800706ba” error arises when your computer cannot establish a connection with the printer via the RPC service, which acts as a bridge between different processes across devices. This is especially common in networked environments where printers are shared across multiple systems.
Root causes include disabled services like Print Spooler or RPC, incorrect firewall settings blocking communication ports, outdated or corrupted printer drivers, or network connectivity issues. Sometimes, the printer itself might not be properly shared or accessible on the network.
Now, let’s resolve this error!
Fix ‘Your Printer has Experienced 0x800706ba’ Error on Windows 11/10
To fix the “your printer has experienced 0x800706ba” error on Windows 11 or 10, restart the RPC and Print Spooler services, ensure your printer is properly connected to the network, disable firewall restrictions temporarily, update printer drivers, and verify sharing settings. This error typically occurs due to a communication failure between your system and the printer.
Let’s resolve this error by exploring the steps in detail!
Step 1: Restart the ‘Remote Procedure Call (RPC)’ and ‘Print Spooler’ Services
The first and most critical step is to ensure that the “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” and “Print Spooler” services are running properly.
Press “Windows + R” to open the Run dialog box and type “services.msc” to access the Services Manager. Locate the “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” service and verify that its status is set to “Running”. If it is not running, right-click and select “Start”.
Next, find the “Print Spooler” service. This service manages all print jobs sent to the printer. Right-click on it and select “Restart”. Restarting the spooler often clears stuck print jobs and restores communication with the printer.
Also, ensure that the startup type for both services is set to “Automatic” so they start with Windows.
Step 2: Check Network Connectivity Between Computer and Printer
The “0x800706ba” error is often a network communication failure. If your printer is connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, verify that both your computer and printer are on the same network.
Open Command Prompt and type “ping [printer IP address]” to test connectivity. If you receive a timeout response, it indicates a network issue.
You can find the printer’s IP address from its control panel or through your router’s connected devices list. If the printer is offline, restart your router and printer.
Ensure that network discovery and file and printer sharing are enabled on your computer. Go to Control Panel, navigate to Network and Sharing Center, and enable these options under Advanced sharing settings.
Step 3: Temporarily Disable Firewall and Antivirus Software
Firewalls and antivirus programs can sometimes block the ports required for printer communication, leading to the “RPC server unavailable” error.
Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus software and then try printing again. If the issue is resolved, you need to configure your firewall to allow printer-related services.
Open Windows Security, go to Firewall and Network Protection, and allow apps like “File and Printer Sharing” through the firewall.
Do not leave your firewall disabled permanently. This step is purely for diagnostic purposes.
Step 4: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers are another major cause of the error.
Open Device Manager and expand the “Printers” section. Right-click on your printer and select “Update driver”. Choose the automatic search option to let Windows find the latest version.
If updating does not work, uninstall the printer device completely and reinstall it. Download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s official website to ensure compatibility with Windows 11 or 10.
Reinstalling drivers refreshes the communication pathway between your system and the printer.
Step 5: Verify Printer Sharing Settings
If you are using a shared printer on a network, incorrect sharing settings can trigger the error.
Go to Control Panel, then Devices and Printers. Right-click on your printer and select “Printer properties”. Navigate to the Sharing tab and ensure the “Share this printer” option is enabled.
Also, check the share name and make sure it is correctly entered on client systems trying to access the printer.
On the host computer, ensure that permissions are properly configured so that other users can access the printer.
Step 6: Run Windows Printer Troubleshooter
Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix printing issues.
Go to Settings, then System, then Troubleshoot. Select “Other troubleshooters” and run the Printer Troubleshooter.
This tool scans for common issues such as stopped services, connectivity problems, or misconfigured settings and attempts to fix them automatically.
While it may not resolve every issue, it often quickly identifies the root cause.
Step 7: Check RPC Dependencies
The RPC service depends on other background services to function correctly.
Open Services Manager again and locate “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)”. Right-click and select “Properties”, then go to the Dependencies tab.
Ensure that all dependent services are running. If any are stopped, start them manually.
If dependencies fail, the RPC service cannot function, leading to the “0x800706ba” error.
Step 8: Modify Registry Settings Carefully
In some cases, incorrect registry configurations can cause RPC-related errors.
Press “Windows + R”, type “regedit”, and navigate to the RPC settings path. Before making any changes, back up your registry.
Look for entries related to RPC and ensure they are properly configured. Incorrect registry edits can cause system instability, so proceed cautiously or skip this step if unsure.
Step 9: Restart Your Computer and Printer
After applying all fixes, restart both your computer and printer.
This step ensures that all changes take effect and clears any temporary glitches in system memory.
Sometimes, a simple restart resolves lingering communication issues.
Faqs
What does the “0x800706ba” error mean in Windows?
It means the “RPC server is unavailable”, indicating a communication failure between your computer and the printer.
Can this error occur with USB printers?
Yes, although it is more common with network printers, it can also occur with USB printers if services like Print Spooler are not functioning properly.
Is it safe to disable the firewall to fix this issue?
Temporarily disabling the firewall is safe for troubleshooting, but it should always be re-enabled afterward.
Do I need to reinstall Windows to fix this error?
No, in most cases, restarting services, updating drivers, or fixing network settings resolves the issue.
Why does the error keep coming back?
Recurring issues may indicate persistent network problems, outdated drivers, or incorrect service configurations.