The printer connected to your PC is pretty straightforward, but an error might occur if something goes wrong every now and then. Recently, people have been reporting an error message popping up out of nowhere, known as Error Code: 0x00000709 Cannot set default printer” this error is causing serious annoyance.
How to Fix Error 0x00000709 “Cannot Set Default Printer”
The problem usually resides under one to two core reasons. Click on the printer icon from the taskbar to see its connection status and to know if it’s connected to the network. If that doesn’t give you a hint, then the problem either lies in corrupted system files or a problematic registry key.
Fix #1: Fix Corrupted System Files
Windows 10 and 11 are known to have stability issues. Corrupted system files are a common problem in Windows, which can cause many issues, including Error Code 0x00000709. To scan and fix corrupted files, use Restoro, a professional repair tool that fixes the most common Windows 10 and 11 errors. Download Restoro and run the scan to confirm what files are causing problems. Once the scan is complete, you click on Repair to fix and replace all damaged files on your PC.
Fix #2: Change the Registry Key
Before getting into this fix, try to secure your older registry by backing it up. Also, note that any changes made to the registry can cause irrecoverable damage if not done correctly. With that out, start by opening the registry editor and searching for regedit in Start Menu. A UAC access permission will be asked; allow it and follow the path: “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Windows.”
Double-click on the device icon and, type in your printer’s name, click Ok to save it. However, if an error message pops up, saying, “Cannot edit Device: Error writing the value’s new contents,” then right-click the Windows key on the right side and locate it in the Permissions section. Check the “Allow for Full control and read” box and proceed by clicking Apply and Ok. After that, right-click on the “UserSelectDefault” icon and rename it as your printer’s name.
Once you’ve applied your fixes, go ahead and reinstall the printer driver and restart your PC. See if the default printer is set up and whether the problem is resolved. If it is, then good for you. However, if you’re still facing issues, then try contacting the printer provider service to help you with the connection problem.
Fix #3: Update Drivers
Outdated drivers can be an issue, so we recommend using DriverFix, a professional tool that allows you to scan and update all outdated device drivers. Download the app and scan your system to see what drivers are outdated. DriverFix will present you with a complete report after its finished scanning.