When trying to add, browse, or connect to a shared network printer in Windows 11, you may receive an error similar to:

Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000bc4).

No printers were found.

The hexadecimal error 0x00000bc4 corresponds to a printer-not-found condition and is commonly encountered when Windows cannot properly communicate with a printer shared from another Windows PC or print server.

This problem became particularly noticeable after Windows 11 version 22H2 because Microsoft changed the way Windows handles RPC (Remote Procedure Call) communication for printing.

The issue can therefore occur even when:

• The printer is powered on and working.
• Other computers can print successfully.
• Both computers are connected to the same network.
• The shared printer can be seen from another computer.
• File sharing between the computers works.
• The printer worked before a Windows update.
• Reinstalling the printer driver does not solve the problem.

This guide covers the most important fixes, starting with the Windows 11 RPC configuration that is particularly relevant to error 0x00000bc4.

Why Does Error 0x00000bc4 Occur?

There are several possible causes.

1. Windows 11 RPC Printing Changes

Beginning with Windows 11 version 22H2, Microsoft changed the default communication used between Windows computers for printing-related operations.

Windows now uses RPC over TCP by default for client-to-server print communication.

In some existing networks, especially environments using printers shared from another Windows PC, this can cause compatibility or firewall problems.

2. RPC Ports Blocked by a Firewall

When RPC over TCP is being used, firewall configuration becomes important.

The RPC Endpoint Mapper normally uses TCP port 135, while RPC communication can also use dynamic TCP ports.

If communication between the client computer and print server is blocked, Windows may fail to discover or connect to the shared printer.

3. Incorrect RPC Connection Policy

Windows 11 includes the following printer policy:

Configure RPC connection settings

If your environment cannot successfully use the default RPC-over-TCP configuration, changing this policy to RPC over named pipes may restore communication with the shared printer.

4. Print Spooler Problems

The Windows Print Spooler manages printers, print queues, and print jobs. A corrupted queue or malfunctioning spooler can prevent printer discovery and installation.

5. Printer Driver Problems

An outdated, damaged, universal, or incompatible printer driver can sometimes cause network printer installation problems.

6. Printer Sharing or Network Configuration

The printer must be correctly shared on the host computer, and the client must be able to communicate with that computer.

Solution 1: Configure RPC Connection Settings

For Windows 11 systems affected by the RPC printing changes, this should be one of the first solutions to test.

Important: Use this workaround when your existing network printing environment cannot operate correctly using the newer default RPC-over-TCP configuration. Where possible, keeping the modern default configuration and correcting firewall/network communication is preferable.

Step 1: Open Local Group Policy Editor

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

gpedit.msc

Press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to Printer Policies

Go to:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers

Find:

Configure RPC connection settings

Double-click it.

Step 3: Enable RPC Over Named Pipes

Select:

Enabled

Under Protocol to use for outgoing RPC connections, choose:

RPC over named pipes

Click:

Apply > OK

Restart the computer or refresh Group Policy.

After restarting, try connecting to the shared printer again.

Solution 2: Windows 11 Home Registry Fix

Windows 11 Home normally does not include the standard Local Group Policy Editor interface.

The equivalent setting can be configured through the Windows Registry.

Warning: Incorrect Registry modifications can cause Windows problems. Create a restore point or Registry backup before making changes.

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

regedit

Press Enter.

Navigate to:

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

If the Printers or RPC key does not exist, create the required key.

Inside the RPC key, create a new:

DWORD (32-bit) Value

Name it:

RpcUseNamedPipeProtocol

Set its value to:

1

The value means:

0 = RPC over TCP

1 = RPC over Named Pipes

Restart Windows and try adding the network printer again.

Faster Command-Line Method

Advanced users or IT administrators can open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\RPC" /v RpcUseNamedPipeProtocol /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Restart the computer afterward.

Solution 3: Check RPC Over TCP Before Changing the Protocol

RPC over Named Pipes is a compatibility option rather than the preferred universal solution.

Microsoft recommends allowing RPC-over-TCP communication where possible.

If your organization uses RPC over TCP, verify that communication between the client and print server is not being blocked.

In particular, check:

TCP port 135 — RPC Endpoint Mapper

RPC can additionally use dynamic high TCP ports.

Therefore, simply confirming that the printer responds to a ping does not prove that Windows printing RPC communication is working.

In business networks, ask the network administrator to verify firewall rules rather than disabling the firewall completely.

Solution 4: Manually Connect to the Shared Printer

If Windows cannot discover the printer automatically, try connecting directly to the host computer.

Press:

Windows + R

Enter:

\\ComputerName

For example:

\\OFFICE-PC

Press Enter.

If the shared resources appear, locate the shared printer and double-click it.

You can also try using the host computer's IP address:

\\192.168.1.10

If accessing by IP works but accessing by computer name does not, investigate DNS or Windows name-resolution problems.

Solution 5: Verify the Printer Is Correctly Shared

Perform these checks on the computer where the printer is physically installed.

Open:

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners

Select the printer.

Open Printer properties and select the Sharing tab.

Confirm that:

Share this printer

is enabled.

Check the printer's Share name.

A client normally accesses the printer using:

\\ComputerName\PrinterShareName

For example:

\\OFFICE-PC\HP-LASERJET

Solution 6: Enable Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing

On both the host and client computers, open:

Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings

For the appropriate trusted network profile, enable:

Network discovery

and:

File and printer sharing

Make sure the network is configured appropriately for a trusted office/home LAN rather than unnecessarily exposing sharing services on an untrusted public network.

Solution 7: Check the Print Spooler Service

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

services.msc

Press Enter.

Locate:

Print Spooler

Its status should normally be:

Running

and its startup type should normally be:

Automatic

Right-click Print Spooler and select:

Restart

Then try connecting to the printer again.

Solution 8: Clear a Stuck Print Queue

A corrupted print queue can interfere with printing.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Run:

net stop spooler

Then clear pending spool files:

del /Q /F %systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*

Start the spooler again:

net start spooler

Try the printer again.

Clearing this folder removes pending print jobs. Do not perform this step if users need jobs currently waiting in the print queue.

Solution 9: Remove and Reinstall the Network Printer

Open:

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners

Select the affected printer and choose:

Remove

Restart Windows.

Then press:

Windows + R

and connect to the host again:

\\ComputerName

Double-click the shared printer to reinstall it.

Solution 10: Install the Correct Manufacturer Driver

If Windows discovers the printer but installation fails, download the latest compatible driver directly from the printer manufacturer's official support website.

Prefer the correct driver for the exact printer model and Windows architecture.

For troubleshooting, a model-specific driver may be worth testing if the print server currently uses an old or incompatible universal driver.

After installing the correct driver, reconnect the shared printer.

Solution 11: Check Windows Firewall

Do not permanently disable Windows Defender Firewall simply to make printer sharing work.

Instead, ensure the appropriate Windows rules for:

File and Printer Sharing

and required RPC communication are allowed for the correct network profile.

In managed business networks, firewall rules should be configured centrally and restricted to trusted networks wherever possible.

Solution 12: Check the Printer Host Computer

If the printer is connected by USB to another PC and shared from that computer, remember that the host PC effectively acts as a print server.

Make sure:

• The host PC is switched on.
• Windows is running normally.
• The printer is powered on.
• The printer works locally on the host.
• Print Spooler is running.
• Printer sharing is enabled.
• The host is reachable from the client.
• Firewall rules permit the required communication.

If the printer does not print locally from the host computer, fix that problem before troubleshooting network sharing.

Solution 13: Test Network Connectivity

From the client computer, open Command Prompt.

Run:

ping ComputerName

or:

ping 192.168.1.10

If the host cannot be reached, troubleshoot the network first.

You can also test name resolution:

nslookup ComputerName

However, remember that a successful ping alone does not confirm that Windows printer RPC traffic is permitted.

Solution 14: Connect Using the Printer's IP Address When Possible

There is an important difference between a network-capable printer and a USB printer shared from another Windows PC.

If the printer itself has Ethernet or Wi-Fi and its own IP address, you may be able to install it directly rather than sharing it through another Windows computer.

Go to:

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device

Choose the manual-add option and add the printer using its TCP/IP address.

For example:

192.168.1.50

This can eliminate dependence on another Windows workstation acting as the printer host.

Advanced: Configure the RPC Listener on a Windows Print Server

If the Windows 11 computer itself is acting as the print server or printer-sharing host, administrators may also need to examine:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers > Configure RPC listener settings

Windows can be configured to allow incoming print-spooler connections using RPC over TCP, RPC over Named Pipes, or an appropriate combination depending on the environment.

This is primarily an administrator-level configuration and should not be changed unnecessarily on ordinary client computers.

Important Security Warning About Old Internet Fixes

Many older printer troubleshooting articles recommend weakening Windows security settings simply to restore printer sharing.

Be particularly cautious about instructions that tell you to:

• Enable SMBv1.
• Enable insecure guest access.
• Disable Windows Firewall.
• Disable printer RPC authentication.
• Permanently weaken Point and Print restrictions.
• Change multiple unexplained Registry security values.

These changes can reduce Windows security.

For most environments, start by diagnosing the actual RPC, firewall, driver, sharing, or name-resolution problem instead.

SMBv1 should not be enabled merely as a generic fix for error 0x00000bc4.

Recommended Troubleshooting Order

For the fastest diagnosis, use this order:

1. Confirm the printer works on the host computer.
2. Confirm the host is reachable from the client.
3. Open \\ComputerName from the client.
4. Verify Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing.
5. Restart Print Spooler.
6. Verify firewall/RPC communication.
7. Test Configure RPC connection settings.
8. Use RpcUseNamedPipeProtocol=1 where the Group Policy Editor is unavailable.
9. Remove and reinstall the printer.
10. Update or replace the printer driver.
11. For true network printers, consider direct TCP/IP installation.

This approach avoids making unnecessary security changes before identifying the actual cause.

Does This Fix Apply Only to Windows 11 22H2?

No.

Windows 11 version 22H2 introduced the important RPC printing changes, but the RPC printing architecture and related policies continue to be relevant to later supported Windows 11 versions.

Therefore, the troubleshooting principles in this guide can also be useful when diagnosing shared-printer problems on newer Windows 11 releases.

The exact cause, however, should always be verified rather than assuming every 0x00000bc4 error is caused by RPC configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does printer error 0x00000bc4 mean?

Error 0x00000bc4 generally indicates that Windows could not find or properly communicate with the requested printer. It is frequently seen when adding a printer shared from another Windows computer.

Why did my network printer stop working after a Windows 11 update?

Windows 11 22H2 introduced changes to RPC communication used by Windows printing. Existing networks, firewall configurations, older print servers, or shared-printer environments may therefore experience connectivity problems.

What is the main fix for 0x00000bc4 on Windows 11?

For systems affected by RPC compatibility problems, changing Configure RPC connection settings to RPC over named pipes can restore network printing. However, Microsoft generally recommends allowing RPC over TCP where the environment supports it.

Where is Configure RPC connection settings?

Open:

gpedit.msc

Then navigate to:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers > Configure RPC connection settings

How do I fix 0x00000bc4 on Windows 11 Home?

Windows 11 Home users can configure the equivalent Registry value:

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

Create:

RpcUseNamedPipeProtocol

as a DWORD (32-bit) and set its value to:

1

Restart Windows afterward.

What does RpcUseNamedPipeProtocol do?

It controls the RPC protocol Windows uses for outgoing communication with a remote print spooler.

A value of:

0

uses RPC over TCP, while:

1

uses RPC over Named Pipes.

Should I disable Windows Firewall to fix the printer?

No. Permanently disabling Windows Firewall is not recommended.

Instead, configure the appropriate File and Printer Sharing and RPC rules for the trusted network.

Does RPC use port 135?

The RPC Endpoint Mapper uses TCP port 135. RPC-over-TCP communication can additionally use dynamic TCP ports unless the environment has been specifically configured otherwise.

Can I connect to the printer using its IP address?

Yes, if the printer is a true network printer with its own Ethernet/Wi-Fi connection and IP address.

This is different from a USB printer connected to and shared by another Windows PC.

Why can I ping the printer server but still cannot add the printer?

Ping uses ICMP and does not test the RPC services required for Windows shared printing. A server can therefore respond to ping while firewall rules still block printer communication.

Should I enable SMBv1 to solve error 0x00000bc4?

Generally, no.

SMBv1 is an obsolete protocol with significant security concerns and should not be enabled as a generic network-printer troubleshooting step.

Will restarting Print Spooler fix 0x00000bc4?

It can help when the problem is caused by a stuck spooler, corrupted print queue, or temporary printing-service problem. It will not fix every RPC or firewall configuration problem.

Can printer drivers cause error 0x00000bc4?

Yes. Incompatible, outdated, or problematic print drivers can contribute to network printer installation failures. Install a current manufacturer-supported driver when available.

Does this problem affect printers shared from Windows 10?

It can. The error occurs during communication between the client and remote print spooler, so mixed Windows 10/Windows 11 environments can also experience network-printing compatibility problems.

Should I make the Registry change on the printer host or client?

RpcUseNamedPipeProtocol controls outgoing RPC connections to a remote print spooler, so it is especially relevant to the client computer attempting to connect to the shared printer.

A computer functioning as a print server can have additional RPC listener requirements.

Is error 0x00000709 related to 0x00000bc4?

The errors are different, but both can appear during Windows shared-printer installation and both have been associated with network printing and RPC configuration issues.

Why can Windows see the host PC but not its printer?

The PC may be reachable while printer sharing, Print Spooler, firewall rules, RPC communication, printer permissions, or the printer driver is preventing successful printer discovery.

Can I avoid Windows printer sharing completely?

If the printer has built-in Ethernet or Wi-Fi networking, installing it directly on each computer using its IP address may provide a simpler and more reliable configuration than sharing it from a workstation.

Conclusion

Printer error 0x00000bc4 – “No Printers Were Found” on Windows 11 is often more than a simple printer-driver problem.

Windows 11 version 22H2 introduced important changes to RPC communication for printing, making RPC configuration and firewall connectivity particularly important when troubleshooting shared printers.

For an affected client PC, one of the most effective compatibility tests is:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Printers > Configure RPC connection settings

and, where required:

RPC over named pipes

Windows 11 Home systems can configure the equivalent RpcUseNamedPipeProtocol Registry value.

However, administrators should first determine whether RPC-over-TCP communication is simply being blocked by a firewall or network configuration. Avoid insecure shortcuts such as permanently disabling Windows Firewall or enabling obsolete SMBv1 solely to make a shared printer work.

By checking RPC configuration, Print Spooler, printer sharing, network connectivity, firewall rules, and printer drivers systematically, error 0x00000bc4 can usually be isolated and resolved without unnecessarily weakening Windows security.

 

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