Ever started printing a document only to realize your computer switched to a different printer? This can be frustrating, especially if you have multiple printers or one that’s inconvenient to use.
There are a few reasons why your default printer might keep changing.
Possible Causes of the Default Printer Changing
There are three main culprits behind your default printer woes:
Windows Managing the Default Printer
By default, Windows can automatically switch your default printer based on certain settings.
Registry Issues
The Windows registry stores settings for your computer, and corrupted entries related to printers can cause the default to change unexpectedly.
General Windows Glitches
Sometimes, temporary glitches in Windows can lead to various issues, including messing with your default printer.
How to Prevent Windows From Managing Your Default Printer?
The most common cause is also the easiest to fix. Here’s how to stop Windows from messing with your default printer:
Disable the “Let Windows manage my default printer” option
You have to open the Settings app and click on “Bluetooth & devices”, and then “Printers & scanners”. Find the printer you want as default and click “Manage” and next, select “Set as default”. Finally, uncheck the box next to “Let Windows manage my default printer”.
Edit Relevant Registry Files (For Advanced Users): Warning
If done incorrectly, editing the registry can be risky. It’s recommended to create a system restore point before proceeding and only attempt this step if you’re comfortable with modifying registry entries.
Open the Start menu and search for “regedit” and navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
You have to find the value named “LegacyDefaultPrinterMode” and double-click it. Next, change the value data from 0 to 1 and restart your computer.
Other Solutions to Fix the Default Printer Changing Issue
If disabling Windows management doesn’t solve the problem, you can try these additional solutions:
Update Windows
Outdated Windows versions can sometimes cause unexpected behaviour. Make sure you have the latest updates installed.
Use Generic Windows Fixes
Sometimes, a general Windows system restore point or a clean boot can help resolve temporary glitches causing the default printer issue.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of your default printer change and prevent it from happening again. If you’re uncomfortable with editing the registry or the issue persists, consider seeking help from a computer technician.