The random freezing of the “Devices and Printers” window in Windows 11 has long been a common problem. From what I have experienced, it typically arises when trying to manage connected devices such as printers, scanners, or external hardware. While there is no doubt that it’s incredibly vexing, you can take control of the issue thanks to multiple proven solutions. Below, I’ve lined up the 11 most effective ways to resolve the problem so you can quickly get back to using your devices without interruptions. Read on to…
Fix Devices and Printers Freezing in Windows 11
Based on my first-hand experience, I can independently confirm that the freezing usually occurs due to outdated drivers, corrupted system files, misconfigured settings, or background services not running properly. Talking about the tips that can get rid of the problem, things like rebooting your device, updating the device drivers, and running the printer troubleshooter often get the job done.
1. Restart Your PC
Never underestimate the power of a simple restart, as it helps clear temporary glitches and refreshes system resources like a smart troubleshooter. Thanks to this ability, it can often resolve freezing issues in the Devices and Printers window.
- On your PC, head over to the Start menu > select Power, and choose Restart to give your system a fresh start.
2. Update Windows 11
It’s worth pointing out that outdated system updates may cause compatibility issues with hardware devices, leading to freezing problems. Therefore, ensure that your PC is updated.
- Open the Settings app on your PC > Windows Update > Check for updates and install the latest patches to ensure smooth operation.
3. Update Device Drivers
It’s also important to reiterate that corrupted or outdated drivers are a common cause of freezing in the Devices and Printers section.
- Open Device Manager, expand the hardware category, right-click the device, and choose Update driver to install the latest version.
4. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Do you know that Windows has a built-in printer troubleshooter that automatically detects and fixes common printer-related problems?
- Go to the Settings app on your PC > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Up next, run the Printer troubleshooter for quick fixes.
5. Restart Print Spooler Service
The Print Spooler manages all print jobs, and if it becomes unresponsive, Devices and Printers may freeze.
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click, and select Restart to restore its functionality.
6. Clear Print Spooler Files
Accumulated print queue files can cause freezing when accessing Devices and Printers.
- Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files to clear the queue and resolve the issue.
7. Disable Bluetooth Temporarily
Sometimes Bluetooth devices may cause conflicts in the Devices and Printers window.
- Turn off Bluetooth by going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and check if the freezing stops.
8. Use System File Checker (SFC)
Corrupted system files may disrupt the normal functioning of Windows features, including Devices and Printers.
- Simply, launch the Command Prompt as administrator on your PC and run sfc /scannow to repair damaged files automatically.
9. Run DISM Tool
If SFC cannot fix all corrupted files, the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) can help.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator and enter DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair the Windows image.
10. Perform a Clean Boot
Be aware of the fact that the background services or third-party applications may also interfere with Devices and Printers.
- To do so, press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type msconfig and press Enter.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
- Check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services (to avoid disabling essential Windows services).
- Click Disable all to turn off all remaining third-party services.
- Now go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
- In Task Manager, under the Startup tab, right-click each enabled startup item and select Disable.
- Close Task Manager and return to the System Configuration window.
- Click Apply, then OK, and restart your PC
11. Create a New User Account
Should the problem persist, create a new user account. Since a corrupted user profile can sometimes cause freezing issues.
- Navigate to Settings > Accounts > Other users.
- Now, choose Add account and create a new profile to check if the issue persists.
Wrapping up..!
And that’s pretty much it! Freezing issues in the Devices and Printers window on Windows 11 can disrupt your workflow, but the fixes are usually straightforward. Whether it’s updating drivers, restarting services, or repairing system files, one of these 11 methods should resolve the problem.
Start with the simpler solutions like restarting your PC or running the troubleshooter, then move on to advanced options such as using SFC, DISM, or performing a clean boot. If none of these steps work, creating a new user profile may be the ultimate solution. By applying these methods, you’ll ensure that your Devices and Printers section works smoothly, helping you manage your connected hardware without hassle.
