How to fix Error 1905 on Windows 11

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Troubleshooting Guide: Error 1905 – “The Specified Printer Has Been Deleted” (Windows 11)

Why This Error Happens

Error 1905 typically occurs when the printer object referenced in the Windows registry or spooler cache no longer matches an active printer instance, often due to a corrupted print spooler queue or an incomplete driver uninstallation. This can also happen when a network printer connection is dropped or renamed on the print server while a local client still holds a stale reference to the old printer object. Additionally, insufficient permissions on the print spooler service or corrupted registry keys under the printer’s configuration path can trigger this false “deleted” status even when the printer is still physically connected.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

Step 1: Restart the Print Spooler Service

  • Open the Run dialog (Win + R) and type services.msc, then press Enter.
  • Locate Print Spooler in the list, right-click it, and select Restart.
  • Alternatively, run this command in an elevated PowerShell window: Restart-Service -Name Spooler -Force
  • This clears any stuck jobs or stale references causing the error.

Step 2: Remove the Printer via Registry and Settings

  • Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
  • Select the problematic printer and click Remove device.
  • Open Registry Editor (regedit) and go to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers
  • Delete the subfolder matching the deleted printer’s name to clear any leftover corrupted entries.

Step 3: Reinstall the Printer Driver

  • Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device.
  • If the printer doesn’t appear automatically, click Add manually and select the correct port (e.g., WSD-XXXX or TCP/IP).
  • Download and install the latest driver directly from the manufacturer’s website instead of relying on Windows Update.
  • Restart the computer after installation to finalize the driver registration.

Step 4: Clear the Print Spooler Cache Folder

  • Stop the Print Spooler service first (see Step 1).
  • Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS in File Explorer.
  • Delete all files inside this folder (these are cached print jobs, not system files).
  • Restart the Print Spooler service to regenerate a clean cache.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • To verify the fix, print a test page via Settings > Printers & scanners > [Printer Name] > Print test page; if it completes without the 1905 error, the issue is resolved.
  • If the error persists, run the built-in Printer Troubleshooter (Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Printer) to automatically detect and repair remaining configuration conflicts.