The error is commonly encountered in a domain environment, particularly with printers that use Type 3/4 PCL6 drivers. Regardless of the underlying cause, the following methods should help you resolve error 740 effectively. These solutions are applicable when facing this error as you attempt to add a shared printer to your PC. With the potential causes in mind, let’s explore the corrective measures.
1. Add the Printer with Administrator Privileges
To add a printer, you must have sufficient permissions. It is recommended to start by adding the printer with administrator privileges using the Command Prompt.
2. Disable UAC Temporarily
Disabling UAC (User Account Control) is not typically recommended, as it helps prevent unwanted system changes. However, temporarily disabling UAC may allow you to bypass restrictions when adding the printer. Remember to revert the changes in UAC settings afterward.
3. Add Printer from the Settings Manually
Another method involves adding the printer manually through Windows Settings:
4. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Windows includes various troubleshooters designed to automatically resolve problems. If you are unable to add a printer because of the error, running the printer troubleshooter might help:
5. Update Your Windows
On occasion, an incorrect update may cause error 740. A solution may involve either uninstalling the problematic update or updating your Windows again.
6. Create a Local Administrator Account
Insufficient permissions can sometimes be circumvented by creating a new local administrator account:
7. Reinstall the Printer Driver
An obsolete or corrupt printer driver can prevent the addition of a printer. Ensure that you have installed the latest driver from the official manufacturer’s website. If not, do so, and then try adding the printer again. If error 740 persists after following all the recommended steps, consider checking the printer’s connectivity to your PC. In case you encounter the same issue with multiple printers, the fault might lie in your printer. Before bringing your printer in for service, you could reset Windows, ensuring you retain your personal files to rule out any software-related issues.
