Windows protected print mode: compatibility and setup

First, find out what changed

Windows protected print mode uses the modern Windows print system and is designed for compatible Mopria-certified devices. When enabled, it removes printers using third-party drivers, and those drivers cannot be used while the mode is active. You can check whether it is enabled in Printers & scanners.

Check the setting and the device

Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Look for Windows protected print mode under printer preferences. The available labels may vary by Windows version.

1. Check the printer’s full model against Microsoft’s linked Mopria compatibility list. Check scanner compatibility separately on an all-in-one.
2. If the device is compatible and the mode is enabled, use Add device to reinstall it through Windows.
3. Print a test page, then try scanning if needed. Printing support does not guarantee that the scanner is available in this mode.

If the printer needs a legacy driver

Check the manufacturer’s current guidance for the exact model. Microsoft documents turning protected print mode off when a non-compatible device must be used, followed by reinstalling that device. Turning it off allows third-party drivers again and removes the protections of this mode. On a work computer managed by policy, ask the administrator to choose the supported configuration.

If protected print mode is already off

Return to ordinary troubleshooting: confirm the connection, the selected print queue and the exact OS/architecture of the package. Use the error message to distinguish a blocked installer, an old network address or an incompatible driver.