🖨️ Printer Error 0x00000035 – The Network Path Was Not Found | Causes & Solutions
🔍 Introduction
Are you facing Printer Error 0x00000035 while connecting to a shared network printer, accessing a print server, or installing a printer on Windows?
This error indicates that Windows cannot find the specified network path. It commonly occurs when a client computer cannot locate or communicate with a shared network resource.
If you are using a shared printer in an office environment, the problem may involve network connectivity, DNS resolution, SMB file sharing, firewall settings, or print server configuration.
In this article, we will understand the meaning of error 0x00000035 and explore practical troubleshooting methods.
⚠️ What Does Error 0x00000035 Mean?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Error Code | 0x00000035 |
| Decimal Code | 53 |
| Error Name | ERROR_BAD_NETPATH |
| Description | The network path was not found |
| Related Component | Windows Network / SMB |
| Possible Scenario | Shared printer or network resource connection |
Important: Error 0x00000035 is also commonly represented as 0x80070035 in Windows error messages. Both can refer to the same underlying network path error. <Cite refs={["turn500137search0","turn500137search3"]}/>
🔎 Common Causes of Printer Error 0x00000035
🌐 Network connectivity problems between the client and print server.
🖥️ Print server is switched off or unavailable.
🔍 Incorrect server hostname or IP address.
📡 DNS name resolution problems.
🔐 Windows Firewall blocking SMB communication.
📁 File and Printer Sharing is disabled.
⚙️ Server service or related network services are not running.
🔄 Network discovery or sharing configuration problems.
🛡️ VPN or network segmentation restrictions.
🖨️ Incorrect shared printer name or network path.
🛠️ How to Fix Printer Error 0x00000035
Follow these troubleshooting steps in sequence.
1. Check Network Connectivity
First, verify whether the client computer can communicate with the print server.
Open Command Prompt and execute:
ping SERVER-NAMEYou can also test using the server IP address:
ping 192.168.1.10Replace the example IP address with your actual print server IP.
If the hostname fails but the IP address works, investigate DNS resolution.
Note: Ping failure does not always mean the server is unavailable because ICMP traffic may be blocked by a firewall.
2. Verify the Shared Printer Path
Press Windows + R and enter:
\\SERVER-NAMEPress Enter.
If the shared folders and printers are visible, locate the required shared printer.
You can also try the complete printer path:
\\SERVER-NAME\PRINTER-SHARE-NAMEVerify the server name and printer share name with your IT administrator.
3. Check DNS Name Resolution
Sometimes Windows cannot locate the print server because of DNS configuration issues.
Open Command Prompt and execute:
nslookup SERVER-NAMEThen check the server hostname:
ping SERVER-NAMEIf the hostname resolves to an incorrect IP address, investigate DNS records, DNS suffixes, and client network configuration.
4. Test SMB Port 445
Windows shared folders and printer-sharing scenarios commonly use SMB communication over TCP port 445.
Open PowerShell and execute:
Test-NetConnection SERVER-NAME -Port 445Check the result:
TcpTestSucceeded : True– TCP port 445 is reachable.TcpTestSucceeded : False– The connection could not be established.
If the test fails, investigate firewall rules, network routing, SMB service availability, and network segmentation.
A successful port test does not guarantee that printer sharing permissions or the printer service are working correctly.
5. Enable File and Printer Sharing
On the computer sharing the printer:
Open Control Panel.
Navigate to Network and Sharing Center.
Select Change advanced sharing settings.
Check the appropriate network profile.
Enable Network discovery if required.
Enable File and printer sharing.
Save the changes.
Also verify that the network adapter has File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks enabled.
Make sure the configuration follows your organization's network security policy.
6. Check Windows Firewall Settings
Windows Firewall may block communication between the client and print server.
Follow these steps:
Open Windows Security.
Select Firewall & network protection.
Open Allow an app through firewall.
Review the File and Printer Sharing rules.
Verify that the appropriate rules are enabled for the required network profile.
For managed office networks, ask the network administrator to verify the approved SMB and printer-sharing firewall rules.
Security Note: Do not permanently disable Windows Firewall or endpoint protection to resolve this error.
7. Check Required Windows Services
Press Windows + R, type:
services.mscCheck the following services where applicable:
| Service | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Print Spooler | Manages print jobs |
| Server | Supports shared resources |
| Workstation | Supports network connections to SMB resources |
| TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper | Supports NetBIOS over TCP/IP where required |
Verify that the relevant services are running and configured according to your Windows environment.
Important: Do not change core service configurations without understanding their role and your organization's network requirements.
8. Restart the Print Spooler Service
If the network path is accessible but printer operations are failing, restart Print Spooler.
Press
Windows + R.Type
services.msc.Locate Print Spooler.
Right-click and select Restart.
Alternatively, run Command Prompt as Administrator:
net stop spooler
Try connecting to the shared printer again.
9. Check Printer Sharing Permissions
On the print server:
Open Control Panel.
Select Devices and Printers.
Right-click the affected printer.
Select Printer properties.
Open the Sharing tab.
Verify that printer sharing is enabled.
Confirm the correct share name.
Open the Security tab.
Verify that the intended users or groups have appropriate permissions.
Do not grant Everyone full control as a general troubleshooting workaround.
10. Reconnect the Shared Printer
After confirming that network communication and sharing are working:
Open Settings.
Navigate to Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
Remove the affected printer if its existing configuration is incorrect.
Restart the computer if required.
Select Add device.
Add the shared printer using its correct network path.
Example:
\\PRINTSERVER\HP-LASER-PRINTERReplace the example with your actual server and printer share names.
💻 Useful Windows Troubleshooting Commands
Check server connectivity:
ping SERVER-NAMECheck DNS resolution:
nslookup SERVER-NAMECheck IP configuration:
ipconfig /allRefresh DNS cache:
ipconfig /flushdnsTest SMB port 445:
Test-NetConnection SERVER-NAME -Port 445Check Print Spooler status:
sc query spoolerRestart Print Spooler:
net stop spooler
🏢 Best Practices for Office and Corporate Networks
To reduce recurring shared printer connectivity problems:
Maintain accurate DNS records for print servers.
Use consistent printer naming conventions.
Maintain stable LAN connectivity.
Configure approved SMB firewall rules.
Keep Windows systems updated.
Maintain appropriate file and printer-sharing permissions.
Use centralized printer management where practical.
Monitor Print Spooler service health.
Document printer server and share configurations.
Review network segmentation and access-control policies.
In pharmaceutical and GxP environments, assess printers according to their intended use and impact on GxP processes. Follow applicable change-control and documentation requirements for relevant configuration changes.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is Windows error 0x00000035?
It is ERROR_BAD_NETPATH, which means Windows cannot find the specified network path.
Q2. Is error 0x00000035 the same as 0x80070035?
They can represent the same underlying Windows network path error. The latter is commonly displayed as an HRESULT-style error.
Q3. Can this error occur while connecting to a shared printer?
Yes. If Windows cannot locate or access the print server's network path, printer connection attempts may fail.
Q4. Does this error indicate a printer driver problem?
Not necessarily. First investigate network connectivity, DNS, SMB communication, and shared printer availability. Driver issues should be checked separately if network access works.
Q5. Which port is commonly used for Windows file and printer sharing?
TCP port 445 is commonly used for SMB communication.
Q6. Should I enable SMB 1.0 to fix this error?
No. Do not enable the legacy SMB 1.0 protocol as a general troubleshooting solution. Investigate modern SMB connectivity and security configuration first.
🎯 Conclusion
Printer Error 0x00000035 – ERROR_BAD_NETPATH indicates that Windows cannot find the specified network path.
When this error occurs during shared printer installation or connection, check server availability, DNS resolution, SMB port 445, File and Printer Sharing, firewall rules, and printer-sharing permissions.
Always identify the actual network communication problem before changing Windows security settings.
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