Inaccessible Shared Printer KB5005565: Fix Guide

If you are seeing an inaccessible shared printer error after installing Windows update KB5005565, the fix is to adjust the printer registry settings or reinstall the printer driver. This article explains why the update breaks shared printers and provides step-by-step fixes for Windows 10 and 11.

Background: What KB5005565 Does

KB5005565 is a Windows 10 cumulative update released in September 2021. It was part of a security patch addressing the PrintNightmare vulnerability (CVE-2021-34527), a critical remote code execution flaw in the Windows Print Spooler service. The update changed how Windows handles printer drivers and permissions, which inadvertently broke many shared printers on home and office networks.

Users reported errors like “Windows cannot connect to the printer,” “Operation failed with error 0x00000709,” or the printer simply disappearing from the network list. The issue affected both USB-connected printers shared from one PC and network printers with shared settings.

Why the Update Breaks Shared Printers

Before the patch, Windows allowed any user to install a printer driver when connecting to a shared printer. The PrintNightmare vulnerability abused this by letting attackers inject malicious DLLs through the spooler. To close the hole, KB5005565 restricted driver installation to administrators only and added a registry key to control Point and Print behavior.

This means when a non-admin user tries to connect to a shared printer, Windows blocks the driver installation, causing the “inaccessible” error. Even admin users sometimes hit the issue if the driver is old or unsigned, because the update also enforces stricter driver signature checks.

Fix 1: Add the RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators Registry Key

This is the most common fix and works for most users. It tells Windows to allow non-admins to install printer drivers again, while still blocking the PrintNightmare exploit.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint.
3. If the PointAndPrint key does not exist, right-click Printers, select New > Key, and name it PointAndPrint.
4. Inside PointAndPrint, right-click the empty area, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators.
5. Double-click the new value, set it to 0, and click OK.
6. Close Registry Editor and restart the PC.

After restarting, try connecting to the shared printer again. If the error persists, also check that the RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators value is not being overwritten by Group Policy.

Fix 2: Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

If the registry fix does not work, the driver itself may be incompatible with the post-update security requirements. Printer manufacturers released updated drivers after KB5005565 to comply with the new rules.

1. Go to the printer manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your exact printer model and Windows version.
2. Uninstall the current driver: Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, and click Remove device.
3. Also remove the driver package: Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click any blank area, select Printer server properties, go to the Drivers tab, select the printer driver, and click Remove.
4. Install the newly downloaded driver and restart the PC.
5. On the host PC (the one sharing the printer), re-share the printer: Printer properties > Sharing tab, check Share this printer.

If you cannot find a new driver, try using the built-in Microsoft driver: in the driver installation wizard, choose Windows Update when prompted, or select Microsoft as the manufacturer and pick a generic driver like “Microsoft Print to PDF” for testing.

Fix 3: Use a Different Sharing Method

If the shared printer remains inaccessible, consider bypassing the broken Windows sharing entirely. Several alternatives work without the Print Spooler’s Point and Print feature:

• Connect directly to the printer’s IP address if it is a network printer (has Ethernet or Wi-Fi). Add it as a local printer with a TCP/IP port.
• Use the printer’s cloud service (e.g., HP Smart, Epson Connect) if the manufacturer offers one.
• Set up a print server on a Raspberry Pi or a NAS device that supports IPP (Internet Printing Protocol).
• Use the “Microsoft Print to PDF” as a temporary workaround to save files and print from another PC.

For USB-only printers, the IP method won’t work, but you can try sharing via a different protocol like IPP on the host PC (requires enabling the IPP service in Windows Features).

Common Problems After the Fix

Even after applying the registry fix, some users still face issues. Here are common pitfalls and how to handle them:

• Group Policy overrides the registry: If your PC is on a domain, Group Policy may enforce RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators to 1. You need an admin to change the policy in gpedit.msc under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers.
• Old cached drivers: Windows may still use a cached broken driver. Clear the print spooler cache by stopping the Spooler service, deleting files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, and restarting the service.
• Firewall blocking: The update may have altered firewall rules. Ensure File and Printer Sharing is allowed through Windows Defender Firewall on both PCs.
• Different Windows versions: The fix works on Windows 10 2004 and later, and Windows 11. For older versions, apply the equivalent update (KB5005565 is for Windows 10 2004+; older versions have different KB numbers).

How to Prevent Future Printer Sharing Issues

To avoid similar problems with future updates, consider these practices:

• Keep printer drivers updated from the manufacturer’s site, not just via Windows Update.
• Set the RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators registry value to 0 proactively if you rely on shared printers.
• Use network printers with direct IP connections instead of sharing a USB printer from a PC.
• Test printer connectivity after every major Windows update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this fix compromise my security against PrintNightmare?

Setting RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators to 0 re-enables the exact behavior that PrintNightmare exploited. Microsoft recommends leaving it at 1 for security. If you must set it to 0, only do so on trusted networks, and ensure your printer drivers are from reputable sources. A safer alternative is to keep the value at 1 and use a different sharing method.

Does this issue affect Windows 11 as well?

Yes, Windows 11 received a similar update (KB5006674) with the same restrictions. The registry fix is identical, and the same troubleshooting steps apply.

Why do I get error 0x00000709 when connecting?

This error usually means Windows cannot find the printer name or the driver installation is blocked. Try the registry fix first, then verify the printer name is correct (no spaces, no special characters) and that the host PC is on the same network.

Can I uninstall KB5005565 to fix the problem?

Yes, you can uninstall the update via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. However, this leaves your system vulnerable to PrintNightmare. Only do this temporarily, and reinstall the update after applying the registry fix or updating drivers.

Will the registry fix work for a printer shared from a Windows 7 PC?

No, the registry key is only for Windows 10/11. Windows 7 is no longer supported, and its sharing protocol is outdated. You should upgrade the host PC or use a different sharing method.

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