How to fix Windows 11 default printer keeps changing or reverting to another printer

Windows KB-476

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Windows 11 default printer keeps changing or reverting to another printer. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

If your Windows 11 default printer keeps switching back to another device, you're not alone. This is a common issue caused by a Windows feature that automatically sets the last-used printer as the default. The good news is that you can disable this behaviour and lock your preferred printer as the permanent default. Follow the steps below to resolve it.

Disable Windows Automatic Default Printer Management

Windows 11 includes a feature that automatically switches the default printer to the one you most recently used. While handy for some users, it causes frustration when you want a specific printer to remain the default.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Click Bluetooth & devices from the left-hand menu.
Select Printers & scanners.
Scroll down and toggle off Let Windows manage my default printer.
Click on the printer you want as your permanent default.
Click the Set as default button.
When prompted, choose Set as default again to confirm.
Restart your computer to confirm the change sticks.

After disabling this setting, Windows will no longer change your default printer based on usage. You can manually change the default at any time from the same screen.

Remove Unwanted Printers

If you have multiple printers installed that you no longer use, Windows may still attempt to switch between them. Removing unused devices helps prevent conflicts.

Open Settings and go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Click on the printer you want to remove.
Click the Remove button.
Confirm by selecting Yes.
Repeat for any other printers you no longer need.

Only remove printers you're certain you no longer need. If a printer is shared on your network, removing it from this computer will not affect other devices.

Clear the Print Spooler Queue

A stuck print job in the spooler can sometimes cause Windows to behave unpredictably with printer defaults. Clearing the queue can resolve this.

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Type services.msc and press Enter.
Scroll down and locate Print Spooler in the list.
Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.
Press Windows + R again, type %windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS, and press Enter.
Delete all files inside the opened folder.
Return to the Services window, right-click Print Spooler, and select Start.

Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

An outdated or corrupted printer driver can cause Windows to lose track of your default printer setting. Updating or reinstalling the driver often fixes this.

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand the Print queues section.
Right-click your printer and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.
If updating doesn't help, right-click the printer again and select Uninstall device.
Check the box for Attempt to remove the driver for this device and click Uninstall.
Restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

If Windows cannot find a suitable driver, visit your printer manufacturer's website to download the latest version manually. For most modern printers, you can also try the steps in our guide to updating Windows to ensure your system has the latest built-in drivers.

Check for Windows Updates

Microsoft regularly releases fixes for known printer issues. Ensuring your system is up to date can resolve underlying bugs causing the default printer to revert.

Open Settings with Windows + I.
Click Windows Update from the left-hand menu.
Click Check for updates.
Install any available updates and restart when prompted.

If you're experiencing other update-related problems, see our guide on troubleshooting Windows 11 update issues.

Troubleshooting

The Default Printer Still Changes After Disabling Automatic Management

If your default printer continues to revert after following the steps above, try these additional measures:

Check for conflicting software: Some PDF readers, virtual printers, and print management utilities can override your default printer. Try temporarily disabling or uninstalling these applications.
Verify Group Policy settings: If your computer is managed by an organisation, a Group Policy may be controlling printer settings. Contact your IT administrator to check the policy configuration.
Create a new user profile: A corrupted user profile can cause persistent settings issues. Test whether the problem occurs under a different user account. For guidance, see our article on managing user accounts in Windows 11.
Check network connectivity: If your default printer is a network printer, connection drops can cause Windows to fall back to another available printer. Review our network connectivity troubleshooting guide for assistance.

Printer Doesn't Appear in the Printers List

If your preferred printer isn't showing up at all, it may not be properly installed. Try the following:

Ensure the printer is powered on and connected (via USB or to the same network).
Click Add device on the Printers & scanners settings page.
Select your printer from the list and click Add.
If the printer isn't detected, click The printer that I want isn't listed and follow the prompts to add it manually.

Performance Issues After Changes

If you've noticed broader system slowdowns alongside printer issues, your computer may benefit from general optimisation. Our guide on optimising Windows 11 performance covers steps to improve overall responsiveness.

Still Having Issues?

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