Handle is invalid when printing

[Jasonchen]

I have a HP M1530 printer working fine on Windows 7. I get the error message:the handle is invalid after I update .Net framework to V4.0. I tried to uninstalled/re-installed printer driver. It seems the printer can only print for one time after that , then show up same error message. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[TVeblen]

Hello Jasonchen. Welcome to the forum.

You should post the entire error message. Not much to go on there.

Also: when does the error come up? Ex: "I click print, the printer starts printing then stops, and then the message comes up", or "I click print, the message comes up, and the printer never starts".

My guess is a bad .Net install. You might try using System Restore to restore the PC to before you installed .NET 4.0. Then check to see that the printer works OK. If it does then install .NET again.

 

[Jasonchen]

Hi TVeblen, the printer works well with notepad or MS word, it doesn't work with a specific software.

I run the specific software and click print , the message comes up, and the printer never starts..

On the problem computer, I also connect to another network printer, still not able to print with same error message.

However, the specific software works well with other printer on other computers.

 

[TVeblen]

You should post the entire error message.

 

[Jasonchen]

When I click print, the printer didn't start, just showing "The handle is invalid". That's the entire error message.

 

[TVeblen]

"The Handle is Invalid" in progammers terms means an attempt to open a file with low-level read capability failed.

Have you tried a System Restore yet?

 

[Jasonchen]

I believe it will work if I restore system, but I can't. This is production environment. I need to re-install a lot application software if restore system. any idea how to troubleshooting and fix this issue?

 

[TVeblen]

Just to be sure we are talking about the same thing: I'm talking about System Restore utility in Windows, to restore the System Registry going back a few days to a week - (30 days is the max for Restore saves).
Not reinstalling the OS or an image file.
Have you installed that much application software in the period since you installed .NET 4.0?

I will look into it, but programming is not my strong suit. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head would be to uninstall .NET 4.0, then see if you can reinstall the printers.

 

[A Guy]

Welcome to Seven Forums Jasonchen. Have a look at this thread, specifically the "Answer". Another user clarifies where to look for this folder in the comments;

Folder 3 is under the next route: C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86 and in this folder are the drivers for printers, if you have any other printer installed you will need to reinstall.

Handle is invalid when printing - Microsoft Community

This appears to be a driver issue, even though it started after installing .NET 4. Suggestion seems to be uninstall drivers, and perhaps printers. Reinstall both.

I think there are .spl (spool) files that can cause this as well?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/264662

A Guy

 

[Jasonchen]

Yes, we are talking about same thing, restore the System Registry will affect application software.

I already rename the folder 3, re-install printer driver, no luck.

Don't find any file under C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printers directory.

 

[A Guy]

This may sound simplistic, but if you haven't already tried it. Delete the printer:

Start> In search box type devices and printers> Enter> When Devices and Printers opens, right click the offending printer and delete> Shut down the PC completely> Disconnect the printer from your computer> Boot the PC again and let it start up fully> Connect the printer to your PC> The OS should find and install the latest driver> See if you can print now

While this is very similar to deleting and reinstalling the driver, the process is a bit different. You might also try a clean start, and see if it will print then

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

A Guy

 

[Jasonchen]

The printer is a network printer, not connect by USB cable. So the OS will not find and install printer driver after reboot.

 

[A Guy]

Ahh, sorry See if this suggestion helps:

1. On the laptop, select: Control Panel/ Printers /Add Printer

2. Choose Add Local Printer. (Yes Local, NOT Network.) Uncheck the box marked "Automatically detect my PnP printer. Click Next

3. Select Create a New Port and leave the default in the drop down selection as Local Port. Click Next

4. Windows displays a small dialogue box asking a port name. Key in

\\Host name\printer name

Host name - is the name of the desktop eg User-judf5564 or Home etc.
Printer Name - is MP530 or OffcPrnt, etc.

Click OK


5. Windows will show a list of printer vendors and models. The list looks just like the Windows Add Hardware Dialog. Select your printer manufacturer and printer model from the list. My particular model wasn't shown so I clicked on Windows Update. After an interminable wait the list of models was updated. I chose the closest match and will update the driver later.

6. When offered, indicate that you want a test print.

Source

A Guy

 

[Jasonchen]

Will try and let you know result. Thank a lot.

 

[Jasonchen]

Hi, I installed printer driver as your suggestion. After successfully print 3 to 4 times, the same error message show up again, and not able to print any more.

 

[A Guy]

Well that sucks OK, I know this mentions Windows 8, but see if Enable bidirectional support is checked on the trouble printer

Go the Devices > Printers > Right-click on the device icon and select Printer Properties. Select the Ports tab. Then unselect the option "Enable bidirectional support". You should be good to go.

Samsung printer driver, Windows 8 fix - TechSpot Forums

A Guy

 

[Jasonchen]

the option "Enable bidirectional support" is already uncheck. Actually this option is gray and I am not able to change the setting. Also I found if I setup the problem printer as default printer, it works well without any error message, if the problem printer is not default printer, it won't work and error message will show up. Any idea how to fix this issue? it is not convenient to change default printer from time to time.

 

[TVeblen]

I just tried looking for the drivers and/or firmware updates for a HP M1530 on the HP website. They keep redirecting me to a HP Laserjet Pro m1536dnf. Is this your printer?

If not, can you post a link to it's page on HP?

I get the feeling that this is a driver problem, or a problem that applies to that printer only. A firmware update may address the issue.

 

[Jasonchen]

Yes, HP website redirect me to a HP Laserjet Pro m1536dnf as well.

Software & driver downloads HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf Multifunction Printer | HP® Support

After I install the printer driver, the printer name show up as HP Laser Jet M1530 MFP series PCL6.

I also tried to install printer driver by windows update, same result.

 

[TVeblen]

There is a firmware update for that printer. Have you installed that yet?