Fix Printer Error 0x0000011b in Windows 7, 10 & 11 (Complete Host & Client Guide)

Fix Printer Error 0x0000011b

Windows Cannot Connect to Printer | Not Enough Memory Fix
Windows 7, 10 & 11 Complete Guide

If you are getting Printer Error 0x0000011b, Windows cannot connect to the printer, or "There is not enough memory to complete this operation", this complete guide will help you fix the problem step-by-step.

While fixing a shared network printer, you may also encounter another client-side error such as 0x00000bcb. This guide includes the solution for both errors.

Important: These printer-sharing errors commonly appear after Windows security updates or when connecting printers between different Windows versions, such as Windows 10/11 Host PC and Windows 7 Client PC.

Why Printer Error 0x0000011b Happens

• Windows security updates changed printer RPC authentication behavior
• Shared printer authentication fails between Host and Client PCs
• The Print Spooler or printer driver has a problem
• Windows may incorrectly display a memory-related error
• Different Windows versions may have driver compatibility or Point and Print restrictions

Registry Warning: Always create a Registry backup or restore point before making registry changes. Some of the registry fixes below reduce Windows printer-driver security restrictions. Use them only when necessary and preferably on a trusted local network.

PART 1: Fix Error 0x0000011b on Host PC

The Host PC is the computer where the printer is physically installed and shared with other computers.

Step 1: Modify Registry

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print

4. Right-click inside the right panel and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5. Name the value:

RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled

6. Double-click it.
7. Set Value data to 0.
8. Click OK.

Setting RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled to 0 lowers the RPC privacy/authentication protection used for printer sharing. This is a compatibility workaround and should be used only where required.

Step 2: Restart Print Spooler

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

services.msc

3. Find Print Spooler.
4. Right-click it and select Restart.
5. Restart the Host PC.

PART 2: Fix Shared Printer on Client PC

The Client PC is the computer that is trying to connect to the printer shared by the Host PC.

Step 1: Remove Old Printer Driver Completely

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

printui /s /t2

3. Press Enter.
4. In the Print Server Properties window, open the Drivers tab.
5. Select the affected printer driver.
6. Click Remove.
7. Select Remove driver and driver package.
8. Click OK and close the window.
9. Restart the Client PC.

Step 2: Clear Print Spooler Files

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Find Print Spooler.
4. Right-click it and select Stop.
5. Open:

C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

6. Delete all files inside the PRINTERS folder.
7. Return to Services.
8. Right-click Print Spooler and select Start.
9. Restart the Client PC.

PART 3: If Client PC Shows Error 0x00000bcb

After removing the old driver, you may sometimes receive:

Windows cannot connect to the printer
Error 0x00000bcb

This can happen when Windows blocks the installation of a printer driver through Point and Print security restrictions.

Method 1: Fix 0x00000bcb Using Registry Editor

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers

If the Printers key does not exist, create it manually.

4. Right-click Printers and select New → Key.
5. Name the new key:

PointAndPrint

6. Click the newly created PointAndPrint key.
7. In the right-side panel, right-click and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
8. Name it:

RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators

9. Double-click the new value.
10. Set Value data to:

0

11. Click OK.
12. Close Registry Editor.
13. Restart the Client PC or restart the Print Spooler service.
14. Try connecting to the shared printer again.

Security Note: Setting RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators to 0 allows non-administrator users to install printer drivers through Point and Print. This reduces a Windows security restriction. Use it only when necessary and preferably on a trusted network.

Method 2: Add the Printer Using a Local Port

If the registry method does not solve 0x00000bcb, you can install the printer driver locally and connect to the shared printer using a Local Port.

1. Download the exact printer driver for your printer model from the manufacturer's official website.
2. Install the driver on the Client PC.
3. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
4. Select Add a printer.
5. Choose The printer that I want isn't listed.
6. Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings.
7. Select Create a new port.
8. Choose Local Port.
9. Enter the shared printer path in this format:

\\HostComputerIP\PrinterName

For example:

\\192.168.1.10\HP LaserJet

11. Select the correct printer driver.
12. Complete the installation.
13. Print a test page.

Tip: If the computer name does not work, using the Host PC's local IP address can sometimes help. Make sure the Host PC and Client PC are connected to the same trusted network and that printer sharing is enabled.

PART 4: Reconnect the Shared Printer

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

\\HOST-PC-NAME

Replace HOST-PC-NAME with the actual Host PC name.

3. Press Enter.
4. Find the shared printer.
5. Right-click the printer and select Connect.
6. Allow Windows to install the printer driver.
7. Print a test page.

Success: If the printer connects and the test page prints successfully, the shared printer configuration is working.

Recommended Troubleshooting Order

If you are facing both 0x0000011b and 0x00000bcb, use this order:

1. Fix 0x0000011b on the Host PC.
2. Restart the Print Spooler.
3. Remove the old printer driver from the Client PC.
4. Clear the Client PC Print Spooler queue.
5. Try reconnecting the shared printer.
6. If 0x00000bcb appears, apply the PointAndPrint registry fix.
7. Try connecting again.
8. If it still fails, install the correct printer driver locally and use the Local Port method.

Related Network Fix

Windows PCs Not Showing Up in Network (Complete Fix Guide)

Official Microsoft Support

For official Windows troubleshooting information, visit Microsoft Support .

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is printer error 0x0000011b?

Error 0x0000011b is commonly related to Windows printer-sharing RPC authentication and security changes. It can prevent a Client PC from connecting to a shared printer.

What is printer error 0x00000bcb?

Error 0x00000bcb can occur when Windows blocks the installation of a shared printer driver because of Point and Print driver installation restrictions.

Does this fix work for Windows 7, 10 and 11?

These troubleshooting methods can help with shared printer problems across Windows 7, Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, available settings and security behavior can vary depending on the Windows version and installed updates.

Is the "not enough memory" printer error caused by RAM?

Usually, no. When this message appears while connecting to a shared printer, the underlying problem can be printer authentication, driver installation, spooler, or Windows security restrictions rather than insufficient physical RAM.

Why does 0x00000bcb appear after removing the printer driver?

Windows may block the printer driver installation because of Point and Print security restrictions. In this situation, the RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators registry setting may need to be changed, or the printer can be installed using a Local Port with the correct driver.

Should I leave the registry settings permanently?

These registry changes can reduce Windows security protections. If you only needed them as a compatibility workaround, consider restoring the original security settings after the printer has been installed and confirmed working, provided your environment supports it.