Windows error dialog showing operation failed with error 0x0000011b

How to Fix Printer Sharing Error 0x0000011b on Windows

Shared printers are a cornerstone of productive office and home-lab setups — one printer, many users, no extra hardware. Yet a frustrating error has been stopping many Windows users in their tracks. When trying to connect to a shared printer on the local network, Windows pops up the message: “Windows cannot connect to the printer. Operation failed with error 0x0000011b.” This error became widespread after a Microsoft security update (KB5005565, released in late 2021) introduced stricter RPC authentication enforcement. While the patch is important for security, it inadvertently broke shared-printer connectivity for countless users across Windows 10 and Windows 11. ...

April 27, 2026 · 3 min · Printer Help