Fix “The RPC Server is Unavailable” Error While Printing in Windows (Complete Technical Guide)
The error “The RPC server is unavailable” while printing in Windows is a critical issue that prevents communication between the computer and the printer. It ...
The error “The RPC server is unavailable” while printing in Windows is a critical issue that prevents communication between the computer and the printer. It commonly occurs when accessing Printer Properties, sending print jobs, or managing printers.
This issue is typically related to Remote Procedure Call (RPC) failure, Print Spooler malfunction, or network/driver problems.
⚙️ What is RPC in Printing?
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a core Windows service that enables communication between processes across systems or within the same machine. Printing relies heavily on RPC to:
- Send print jobs to spooler service
- Communicate with network printers
- Manage printer properties
If RPC fails → printing stops completely.
? Common Symptoms
- “The RPC server is unavailable” error popup
- Printer Properties not opening
- Printer shows offline or inaccessible
- Print jobs stuck in queue
- Unable to add/remove printers
? Root Causes
- Print Spooler service stopped or corrupted
- RPC service dependency failure
- Corrupt or incompatible printer drivers
- Network connectivity issues (for LAN printers)
- Firewall blocking RPC communication
- Windows system file corruption
- Incorrect registry configuration
?️ Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
? 1. Restart Required Services
-
Press Win + R → type
services.msc - Ensure these services are running:
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- DCOM Server Process Launcher
- RPC Endpoint Mapper
- Print Spooler (Restart this)
? 2. Reset Print Spooler
Run Command Prompt as Administrator:
net stop spooler
del /Q /F /S %systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*
net start spooler
? This clears stuck print jobs and resets printing engine.
? 3. Remove Corrupted Printer Drivers
-
Press Win + R →
printui /s /t2 - Open Drivers tab
- Remove all problematic drivers
- Restart system
? 4. Reinstall Printer
- Remove printer from Devices & Printers
- Restart PC
- Install latest driver from manufacturer
- Add printer again
? 5. Check Network Connectivity
For network printers:
ping <printer_ip>
? If unreachable:
- Check LAN/WiFi connection
- Verify printer IP
- Restart router/printer
? 6. Configure Firewall
Allow:
- File and Printer Sharing
- Remote Service Management
- RPC Endpoint Mapper
? 7. Repair System Files
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
? 8. Verify Registry Configuration
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\RpcSs
Ensure:
-
Start = 2
⚡ Advanced Fix: Full Print System Reset
If issue persists:
- Stop spooler
- Delete spool files
- Remove drivers
- Restart system
- Reinstall printer cleanly
? Prevention Tips
- Always use updated printer drivers
- Avoid force shutdown during printing
- Regularly clear print queue
- Keep Windows updated
- Maintain stable network for shared printers
? Conclusion
The RPC server unavailable error is not a hardware failure but a service-level communication issue. With proper troubleshooting—especially resetting spooler and reinstalling drivers—the problem can be resolved effectively.
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