PPT2000: Error Message:"The printer isn't responding"

ID: Q223014

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2000

ERROR MESSAGE

When you print from PowerPoint 2000, you receive the following error message:

The printer isn't responding. Ensure that the printer is online and connected, or select a new printer.


NOTE: Microsoft Office 2000 has built-in functionality that allows you to get more information about difficult-to-troubleshoot alerts or error messages. If you want to enable this functionality for this and other error messages in Microsoft Office 2000, please download the Microsoft Office 2000 Customizable Alerts file from the Microsoft Office Update Web site at the following address:
http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/2000/downloadDetails/alerts.htm
NOTE: If you reached this article by clicking the Web Info button in an error message, you already have Customizable Alerts enabled.


CAUSE

Microsoft PowerPoint is having difficulty communicating with the printer. There are several problems that can cause this message:

  • The printer may be offline, disconnected, or turned off.
  • The printer may be out of paper, or the paper is jammed.
  • The regional settings for your computer may be corrupted.
  • If you are using a network printer, the printer driver may require the printer port to be captured.
  • The printer may have an invalid network name.
  • The printer driver may be corrupted.


WHAT TO TRY

Try the following procedures, until you find one that fixes the problem.

Method 1: Check the Printer Connection

  1. Check to see if there is an error message from the printer. To do this, right-click an empty area on the taskbar and click Minimize All Windows. If the printer has sent an error message to your computer, you will be able to see it on your screen.


  2. If there is no error message, check that the printer is on, online, and properly connected to your computer.


  3. If you use a switching device, try bypassing it and connecting the printer directly to your computer. See your printer documentation for more information.


  4. Check the paper supply of the printer, and make sure there is not a paper jam.


  5. Check the printer queue. To do this, on the Windows Start menu, point to Settings, and click Printers. Then, double-click your printer. If there are files in the printer queue, either wait for them to finish printing or delete them.


  6. Turn the printer off, and then turn it on again. This will clear the memory of the printer. Try printing again.


Method 2: Reset the Regional Settings In Control Panel

  1. On the Windows Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click Regional Settings.


  3. On the Regional Settings tab, choose a different setting from the list (there are several country settings that use English). Then click OK.


  4. Restart your computer.


  5. Return to Regional Settings in Control Panel, and choose your original regional setting.


  6. Click OK, and then restart your computer again.


Method 3:Capture a Port For Your Network Printer

Before beginning this procedure, check with your network administrator to make sure you have the correct path for the network printer.
  1. On the Windows Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Printers.


  2. Right-click the icon for your printer, and click Properties.


  3. On the Details tab, click Capture Printer Port.


  4. In the Device box, click a port that is not used by another printer.


  5. In the Path box, type the network path to the printer, and then click OK to close the Capture Printer Port dialog box.


  6. In the Print To The Following Port box, click the port you selected in step 3, and then click OK.


Method 4: Reinstall the Printer Driver

  1. On the Windows Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Printers.


  2. Right-click your default printer, and click Delete. If you are prompted to remove extra files left on the system, click Yes.


  3. Double-click Add Printer, and follow the instructions to reinstall your printer driver.


When you reinstall your printer driver, the Microsoft Windows operating system corrects many system files and registry keys.

NOTES:
  • If your printer model is not listed in the Manufacturers and Printers lists, check the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) for an updated driver. If your printer is not on the HCL, contact the printer manufacturer for drivers and instructions.
  • If you are on a network, you may need to install the correct printer driver from a network printer share. Contact your network administrator for instructions.

Additional query words: PPT_ERROR OFFEXTERR

Keywords : kberrmsg kbdta
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb kbinfo


Last Reviewed: June 28, 1999
© 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.