Network Printers - error code 0x00000721
I have a home network using the new HomeGroup capability. Have shared printers, folders etc. I try to add a new printer. I can see the printers on the list, but when I selectone and press next, I get an error message - Windows cannot connect to the printer. Operation failed with error 0x00000721. Any suggestions? It happens with both printers I have attached and shared.Chris
January 15th, 2009 6:45pm

I have this exact same problem, I've tried using the default Win7 drivers for the printer, and the manufactures drivers using Vista Compatibility mode to install them to no avail. I've tried both Homegroup and standard network permissions. And the funny thing is that a Vista box on the same network connected and install the drivers fine from the printer connected to the Win7 box. But another Win7 box gets this error. I don't know if it is relavent but both my Win7 boxes are upgrades from Vista and not fresh installs.Jon
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January 16th, 2009 7:45am

Snap! I have done the same. The difference is that I started off with one as a fresh install, and the other as an upgrade. They both are now fresh installs as I re-installed Windows 7 on the updated one to ensure it was a clean install and there were no old driver problems or anything. Still the same problem. The printers work fine on the computer to which they are attached. The funny thing is that I can see the networked printers OK in order to choose them.Is there anyone out there who can help, or at least explain the error code 0x00000721 and what it relates to in Windows 7?ThanksChris
January 16th, 2009 10:39am

This is what a google search says about this errorWindows Error 0x00000721 - 1825 A security package specific error occurred. RPC_S_SEC_PKG_ERROR How a "security package specific error occurred" relates to our Win7 printer problem is beyind me, but maybe some MS expert could offer their expertise.Jon
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January 16th, 2009 5:05pm

Hi, Try to add a shared printer with the following method. Add a shared printer 1. Click Start, click Control Panel and double click Printers. 2. On Keyboard press Alt, then click File->Run as administrator->Add Printer. When UAC window pops up, click Continue to go on. 3. Select "Add a local printer". 4. Select "Create a new port". Choose "Local Port" as the type of the port. 5. In the box "Enter a port name", type the address as the following format. \\[IP address of the host computer]\[The Share Name of the printer] Then click Next. 6. Follow the instruction to finish the installation. During installing, choose the correct driver in the driver list. If the issue persists, it is a driver issue. Your old drivers that are designed for Windows XP or Windows Vista partly work in Windows 7. However, it does not support network printing. Such issues also occur in Windows Vista. We have experienced cases that users install Windows XP printer driver on Windows Vista computers and it only make local printing functional but network printing does not work. In future the printer manufacturer should release new drivers for Windows 7 systems. It will be the solution.Arthur Xie - MSFT
January 19th, 2009 9:55am

Bet your problematic printers are HP!!! I have two fairly new HP's, an inkjet and an AIO. BOTH work fine networked running under VISTA, butneither will connect under Windows 7. Vista software installs, finds the printer on the network but thenI get a"failed to connect" error. The printer can be installed in the hardware control panel under "add printer", but only using the native Windows 7 driver, and the printer looses most of it's functionality. HP's drivers are buggy at best...and it looks like VISTA printer drivers are not going to cut it for Windows 7 when installing networked printers. This is DEFINATELY a driver issue connected with Windows 7's networking protocols. Hopefully this will be a priority bug fix for microsoft. And If HP is true to form, any model older than a couple of years will probably not get new drivers for Windows 7. Maybe a networking patch if we're lucky.
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January 24th, 2009 8:46pm

Yes you are right, my printer is a HP all-in-one F2120 Deskjet. I'll try Arthur's solution, and perhaps delete it and reinstall just the Win7 drivers as well, and let ya know how that goes.CS
January 25th, 2009 5:05am

LPH, thanks for the input on the HP printers. I have a Photosmart 3210xi AIO and had the same problems with the HP Vista drivers. The install program would find the printer but then would fail and say "Device Setup Failed to Complete". Used the "add printer" option and it connected just fine, but as you say with minimum functionality. I also have a Brother HL-2070N laser and also used the "add printer" option and again no problems except one. When windows first gave me a list of Brother printers, mine was not on there so I clicked on the "Windows Update" button to search for more drivers. It took the system over 15 minutes before it finally updated the Brother listing and showed my printer. Not sure what the reason for the delay but hope that is just because this is a Beta.
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January 28th, 2009 7:30am

I suspect that it is the drivers. They are designed for Windows Vista but not Windows 7 beta. We could not ensure that they work in Windows 7 beta.Arthur Xie - MSFT
January 29th, 2009 6:01am

My HP connected fine, I just used the printer's IP address, as always, and let windows do the rest. I have never been able to have Vista find the HP printer, and using the IP address is just as easy.
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January 29th, 2009 3:29pm

Thanks for all the responses. It's more complex than drivers. I cleared everything out and did a complete reinstall on both machines. The desktop where the printers are attached was a cleaninstall. The Sony Vaio laptop was a Vista upgrade due to the Sony specific drivers.Exact same software, exact same latest Vista drivers - Canon and HP, and suddenly everything works through HomeGroup sharing. Very weird.
January 29th, 2009 3:34pm

Sure, you can SHARE printers running off a PCin W7 using the network. You don't HAVE to use the homegroup thing...that's just a W7 bell and whistle. The problem is you can't get W7 to connect to a NETWORKED printer...one that is hardwired( or wireless for that matter) into a router Using the IP address to install it doesn't work in most cases either.
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January 30th, 2009 9:58pm

OK. Good news and bad.Good news: Finally got the printer installed onto the NETWORK. It takes a little manual configuration but it WILL install on W7.Here's the scoop:First, go into your printers setup menu, find the network section, view network connections then print configuration report.Next, go into your printers setup menu, find the network section, then network settings, then go to manual settings.You are going to set a static IP address for the printer outside the DHCP realm of the router.If your IP address on the configurations was say: 192.168.1.106 you want to change the last three digits to a higher number up to 245.Example: 192.168.1.206 and then hit Ok.Check network settings again to make sure the new IP address has registered.Now, if you have installed any printer software, delete it and then reboot.After you reboot and are back to the desktop, reinstall the software, this time after the software says it had detected the printer, it should say it has connected and will continue installing the printer.Viola!Now for the bad news: Some functionality of the printer drivers will be lost. In my case, there is no way to select between draft, normal, best, etc...for printing quality. Weird huh???Obviously there is some real differences between Vista and W7 in their printer drivers. Hopefully HP and other printer manufacturers will step up and give us new W7 certified drivers for our products, but knowing how HP usually operates...don't hold your breath.Don't you know there will be bigger and better W7 certified printer models available that they want to sell.Hope this helps everyone!
January 31st, 2009 6:10am

rjtrinka said: LPH, thanks for the input on the HP printers. I have a Photosmart 3210xi AIO and had the same problems with the HP Vista drivers. The install program would find the printer but then would fail and say "Device Setup Failed to Complete". Used the "add printer" option and it connected just fine, but as you say with minimum functionality. I also have a Brother HL-2070N laser and also used the "add printer" option and again no problems except one. When windows first gave me a list of Brother printers, mine was not on there so I clicked on the "Windows Update" button to search for more drivers. It took the system over 15 minutes before it finally updated the Brother listing and showed my printer. Not sure what the reason for the delay but hope that is just because this is a Beta. Yes I had to use Win Update too, it did take awhile but I assume that is just because it is downloading the driver database from windows update.CS
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January 31st, 2009 1:27pm

I have a home network using the new HomeGroup capability. Have shared printers, folders etc. I try to add a new printer. I can see the printers on the list, but when I selectone and press next, I get an error message - Windows cannot connect to the printer. Operation failed with error 0x00000721. Any suggestions? It happens with both printers I have attached and shared. Chris I suddenly had the same problem. After going through the normal procedures nothing changed. I wonder if this is not a problem related to administrative priviledges - which is often hidden in Windws 7? The User Account Control settings is often the culprit. The easiest way to get is either through Help and to follow the link or to go to Control panel - All control panel items - User accounts-change user account settings and set the slier bar at the lowes setting for the installation
April 27th, 2009 11:47am

The User Account Control settings is often the culprit. The easiest way to get is either through Help and to follow the link or to go to Control panel - All control panel items - User accounts-change user account settings and set the slier bar at the lowes setting for the installation
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April 27th, 2009 11:47am

Hi folx, I am on a Work network. All the machines are Windows 7. I simply cannot get print sharing to work. I have Googled this problem, but each example assumed 7 to XP, or XP to 7, or 7 to Vista, etc. Where I currently stand: Local machine with printer connected has the following: - Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers\ - - Right click on Samsung SCX-4300 Printer (installed perfectly by itself under W7) - Select printer properties. - - - Select Sharing and tick Share this printer and give it a share name - Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings - - Turn on network discovery - - Turn on file and print sharing - - Turn off password protected sharing Network machine that tries to connect: Do the usual steps to add the printer, and I get the error: - Windows cannot connect to the printer - - Operation failed with error 0x00000721 How do I solve this problem as the only way people on the network can print is emailing their documents to me? Thank you. Kind regards, Wickyd
June 5th, 2009 2:25pm

Network printers are those printers that are connected via a network. Network printers enable users to connect any computer (within the network) to the printer. Majority of all operating systems also come with a printer setup wizard that can be used to setup and configure network printers on the system. However, some users might face some issues when connecting the system to a network printer. These issues include system not at all connecting to the network printer, error messages when connecting to network printer, connection getting terminated automatically etc. Such issues mean that users would not be able to use the network printer for any printing purposes. Problems such as system freeze during network printer use might also cause data loss. Following details gives information regarding tips to avoid network printer issues: Antivirus programs Verify drivers Resolve System Errors Antivirus programs Majority of all computer issues are caused by malware. Malwares are known to have capabilities to cause issues with the use of network printers by infecting critical driver as well as system files and modifying them. Such issues can be resolved by removing the malwares from the system using an updated antivirus program or malware removal tool. Having an antivirus program such as Norton Antivirus installed on the system which has real time malware protection would help avoid such issues. Verify drivers Drivers are the link between the network printers and the Operating System installed on your computer. Issues with the network or the printer drivers can cause problems with the functioning of the network printers. Users having problems with the working of network printers are advised to check the status of the printer/ network drivers on the system and then replace them if required. Verifying the authenticity, compatibility and type specification of the printer/ network drivers before installation would help avoid such problems. Resolve System Errors Another reasons for issues with the use of network printers on the system is system errors. System errors include problems within the registry and problems with some of the system files essential for the functioning of the printer. Removing such errors by cleaning the registry and repairing the OS would solve such problems. Checking the integrity of the system files and maintaining the OS at a a periodic basis would also help prevent such issues from coming up. Thanks
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April 5th, 2011 4:01am

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