We have a 32 bit Windows 2008 print server with various printers from different vendors with 64 bit and 32 bit drivers. The printers are deployed to computers using computer group policies. There are some computers from different OU's and different site locations where all printers from that print server show as offline. Most computers are able to print without difficulty.
- When I try to add another printer from the print server from an affected workstation using \\servername\printername, an error message pops up saying the print server spooler service is offline. When I add the printer using \\IPaddressOfServer\printername, the printer adds without any issues.
- From an affected workstation when I ping the server name, I get the correct IP, and when I ping -a the IP I get the correct server name.
- I am also able to add printers from a different print server using \\servername\printername
- If I restart the spooler service on the local workstation, the printers are online again. But after a restart, they are back offline.
- Unchecking Use SNMP in the Configure Port menu of one of the printers doesn't cause the printer to show as online for the affected workstations.
- Reimaging the affected computers fixes the problem temporarily, but after a couple of weeks, the printers go offline again
- It doesn't seem to matter which user is logged in to the computer. Even logged in as a domain admin.
Again, this is happening on only a few dozen or so workstations. Most others are fine. Any ideas on what the problem could be?