Most of the time, this problem starts with a simple Windows 10 error that signals a problem with the printer. When the user tries to uninstall the printer, Windows 10 refuses to remove it. Some users report that removing the printer device via the Devices menu shows a perpetual “being removed” state with no improvement over time. Uninstalling the software via Programs and Feature still preserves the printer in the devices list. If you have the same problem, the following methods will help you resolve the issue. Below you have a collection of fixes that other users have used to successfully remove their printer from Windows 10. Please follow each method in order until you encounter a fix that manages to get the job done. Let’s begin! Note: Keep in mind that while the methods below show different ways that you can follow to remove a printer from Windows 10, not all of them will uninstall the driver associated with the printer. If you also wish to uninstall the printer driver, you’ll likely have to do it manually.
Method 1: Remove Old Drivers From Print Server Properties
Some users have reported being able to fix a printer driver that was stuck in a perpetuity state by deleting the printer driver from Print Server Properties. Note: Keep in mind that this method is only a fix that will allow you to remove a printer device that is stuck in a perpetuity state. Even if this method is successful, you’ll still have to remove the printer device conventionally or using one of the other methods below. Here’s a quick guide on how to delete the printer driver from Print Server Properties: If the printer is still stuck and refuses to be removed from your system, continue with Method 2.
Method 2: Remove the Corrupted Printer Registry Entries
Some users have managed to remove the printer from their computer permanently after eliminating any keys and subkeys belonging to the offending printer via Registry Editor. By specifically targeting and the entries belonging to the corrupted printer, some users have reported that the removal process was successful after they rebooted the system and removed the printer conventionally. Here’s a quick guide on how to remove the offending printer’s keys and subkeys via Registry Editor: If the printer is still stuck, continue with the next method below.
Method 3: Clear the Print Jobs Queue
As quite a few users have reported, a stuck print job can also be responsible for preventing the printer from being removed. Some affected users were finally able to remove the stubborn printer by clearing the folder responsible for holding the print jobs. Here’s a quick guide on how to clear the print jobs queue folder:
Method 4: Remove the Printer from the Settings Menu
While this is not always effective, it’s the most accessible way of removing a printer from Windows 10. This method involves using the new Windows 10 interface to get rid of the printer that you no longer use. Here’s a quick guide on how to get this done: If you’re still seeing your printer listed in the Devices list at the next restart or if it continues to show “being removed”, move over to Method 2.
Method 5: Remove Printer via Control Panel
Another way to go around removing a printer that is refusing to go away is via the old Control Panel interface. Some users have reported being able to remove the printer using this method after performing one of the first three methods presented in this article. Here’s a quick guide on how to remove a Printer using Control Panel: At the next startup, see whether the printer has disappeared from the devices list. If it’s still there, continue with the other methods below.
Method 6: Remove the Printer via Print Management (if applicable)
Another way to go around removing a printer that is refusing to go away from Windows 10 is via the Print Management menu. This is a dedicated utility that some uses seemed to have used successfully to remove a printer indefinitely from Windows 10. Note: Keep in mind that Print Management is not available in the basic versions of Windows 10. Here’s a quick guide on using Print Management to remove a printer device: At the next startup, see whether the printer driver has been successfully removed. If you’re still seeing listed among your other devices, move over to the other method below.
Method 7: Remove Printer via Device Manager
Removing the printer from the list of devices can also be done from Device Manager, but keep in mind that some users have reported that this method was ineffective in their case – the printer has only briefly removed from the list of devices and was back at the next startup. If you decide to try it, here’s a quick guide on removing a printer using Device Manager: At the next startup, return to Device Manager and see if the printer was successfully removed from the list of devices. If it was, you managed to permanently remove the printer from your Windows 10 PC. If you’re still seeing the printer listed, move over to the other methods below.
Method 8: Remove the Printer via Command Prompt
Some users have finally managed to remove the printer using an elevated Command Prompt. This method will require you to get a little technical, but it has the potential of succeeding where other methods failed. Note: The following procedure will not be successful unless you do the command in an elevated Command Prompt. Here’s a quick guide on removing a printer via Command Prompt: Note: Keep in mind that the Name of Printer is just a placeholder for the name that you previously noted down at step 3. Replace the placeholder with the actual name of the printer that you want to remove. The result should look like this: To verify if this method was successful, close the elevated Command Prompt and restart your computer. At the next startup, see whether your printer is still among the devices list. If it is, move over to the other methods below.
Method 9: Remove the Printer Using Powershell
Some users have successfully managed to remove the stubborn printer that was refusing to go away on Windows 10 by using PowerShell. While this method will require you to get a little technical, it’s reportedly more efficient than the majority of methods that are done through a graphical interface. Here’s a quick guide on removing a printer via PowerShell: At the next startup, see whether the printer device is still present in the printer’s list. If it is, move down to the next method.
Method 10: Remove the Printer From the Printers Folder
The final method in which you can remove a printer from your list of devices is also one of the fastest and most effective ways to do it. Here’s a quick guide on removing a printer via the Printers folder: At the next startup, see whether the printer has been removed from your computer.
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