Fix: Error 0x00000709 in Network Printing (Element Not Found)

While trying to connect to network printers, or when attempting to use a network printer that is already connected to your system, you may encounter an error with the code 0x00000709. The accompanying error message can appear in various forms, but the most common message is ‘Element Not Found.’

This error can be caused by a few different factors; however, its most frequent causes are erroneous Windows updates and installation restrictions on the printer driver.

To help you resolve this error, we’ve prepared this guide where we’ll be showing you multiple solutions that will help you resolve the error 0x00000709 and fix Network Printing on your system.

Uninstall the Erroneous Windows Update.

The biggest culprit of this error is usually an erroneous Windows update. Microsoft often releases updates that come with errors that cause certain functionalities of the system to completely stop working. 

In this case, the specific update causing this error for most users is KB5006670.

To uninstall the KB5006670 update from your system, follow the steps we’ve listed below:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
2. Type cmd and click on the “Run as administrator” option.

   

3. Copy the following command and paste it into the Command Prompt window using Ctrl + V:

   wusa /uninstall /kb:5006670

   

4. Press enter.
5. Wait for the update to uninstall.

After the update has been successfully uninstalled, make sure to restart your computer. Once your computer is restarted, the Network Printing issue should be resolved.

However, if the issue persists, it may be caused by a different Windows update. You should try uninstalling the most recent update to your system by following the steps written below:

1. Press Control + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Updates and Security.
   
3. Click on “View Update History.”
   

   

4. Click on “Uninstall updates.”
   

   

5. In the new menu, scroll down to the Microsoft Windows section.
6. Right-click on the most recent update and press uninstall.
   

   

If the issue continues to persist even after you have done that, try the next solution we have listed below.

2. Add a Registry Key to Override Driver Installation Restrictions

The Windows Registry stores configuration settings for the operating system, applications, and hardware devices. Registry keys are used to store various types of data, such as system settings, user preferences, and program configurations.

In recent Windows updates, Microsoft has placed restrictions on installing drivers for printers. However, these restrictions can be bypassed by adding a simple Registry Key in your Windows Registry.

Follow the steps listed below to add a Registry Key that overrides driver installation restrictions:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy and paste the following command into Command Prompt and press enter:

   reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Printers\PointAndPrint" /v RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrators /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f  

By adding this registry key and setting its value to 0, you essentially disable the restriction on driver installations for printers, which allows non-administrator users to install printer drivers and hopefully resolves the network printing error 0x00000709.

3. Reinstall the printer.

If the solutions listed above did not work for you, the final solution is to reinstall the printer on your system. During the installation process, some corruption may have occurred. Therefore, reinstalling the printer has a high chance of resolving the error.

Follow the steps listed below to reinstall your network printer:

1. Press Windows Key, type Control Panel and press enter.
2. Under Hardware and Sound, click on “View Devices and Printers.”
   

   

3. Right-click on the printer and select “Remove Device.”
   

   

4. After it has been uninstalled, click on the ‘Add a Printer‘ button at the top, and Windows will automatically reinstall it for you.

   

Once the printer has been reinstalled, the ‘Element Not Found’ error should finally be fixed.