This article analyzes why Splashtop remote printing is not working. It shares solutions to address the remote printing error where a printer stops printing remotely.
When using Splashtop for remote work, you may occasionally run into issues where the remote printing function fails to execute commands properly. Instead of a seamless printing experience from your remote computer to your local device, you might be met with specific pop-ups or a lack of response entirely. These interruptions are typically caused by missing drivers, permission conflicts between operating systems, or specific software incompatibilities, particularly with PDF viewers. Identifying the exact wording of the alert you receive is the most effective first step toward resolving the technical glitch and restoring your workflow.
Common Splashtop Remote Printing ErrorsÂ
| Error Message or Symptom | Explanation and Probable Cause |
|---|---|
| "Windows cannot find 'xpsrchvw.exe'" | This error indicates that the XPS Viewer software is missing from your local Windows computer.Â
Splashtop relies on this utility to process print jobs, and it must be installed via the "Optional Features" section of your Windows settings. |
| "The file 'Print.pdf' couldn't be opened because you don't have permission to view it" | This is a permission error most frequently seen on Mac computers with M1 (Silicon) chips. It usually means the Splashtop Streamer software is outdated or lacks the necessary file access rights to open the temporary print file. |
| "Splashtop Remote Printer" is missing from the printer list | If the printer option does not appear, it often means the printer driver installation failed or there is no active remote session. This can occur due to insufficient administrative permissions during the initial setup or if the remote session has timed out. |
| "Adobe Acrobat Quit Unexpectedly" (or no response) | This specific crash or freeze happens when there is a conflict with the Adobe Acrobat Reader interface. It is often caused by a bug in older versions of the reader or incompatibilities with the "New Acrobat" interface settings. |
| "Unable to reach Splashtop servers" | While less specific to printing, this connectivity error blocks all remote commands. It implies that a firewall, antivirus, or unstable network connection is preventing the Splashtop app from communicating with the remote printer. |
| Document is cut off or has alignment issues | If the print job goes through but looks wrong (e.g., margins are missing), it is usually a configuration issue. The "Enable Borderless Printing" setting in the printer preferences is often the culprit and needs to be disabled. |
Most of these printing obstacles can be cleared by updating your Splashtop Streamer and local app to the latest versions, as developers frequently patch these specific bugs. If ensuring your software is up-to-date does not resolve the error, you may need to manually reinstall the printer driver or adjust the specific permission settings mentioned above. Should the problem continue despite these efforts, the issue might lie deeper within your network configuration, at which point reaching out to the official support team would be the logical next move.
Sometimes the feature is correctly installed, but printing fails because the wrong printer is selected. During a remote session, you must choose âSplashtop Remote Printerâ first. This redirects the print job to your local computer, where you can then choose your physical printer.
Step 1. Start a remote session to the target computer. Open the file or document you want to print.
Step 2. Click Print in the application as you normally would. In the printer selection window, choose Splashtop Remote Printer.
Step 3. Wait for a new print dialog box to open on your local computer.
Step 4. Select your local printer and confirm printing.
After selecting âSplashtop Remote Printer,â a new print window should automatically appear on your local computer, showing all available local printers. Choose your desired printer, and the document will print locally. If this does not happen, restart both devices and reconnect the remote session.
If the Splashtop Remote Printer does not appear during a remote session, the printer driver may have failed to install properly due to permission issues. This can also cause repeated Windows print error popups. In this case, you need to manually uninstall and reinstall the driver using an administrator-level command prompt to fix the installation problem.
Step 1. On your work computer, go to the taskbar, right-click the Splashtop Streamer icon as shown, and select Preferences.
Step 2. Scroll down to find Remote Print, then click Install Printer Driver to start the installation process.
đNote: If you also want to fix Splashtop remote sound not working, here are some solutions.
Step 3. Once the installation is finished, the window will display Installed.
Step 4. You can now click the gray X in the top-right corner to close the Splashtop window.
Step 5. When you connect to the computer remotely from another device, open any application and print as you normally would. In the printer dialog box, choose âSplashtop Remote Printer.â
After enabling remote print, a printer called "Splashtop Remote Printer" should show up in the computer's list of printers when you access that computer remotely. Note that the printer does not appear unless a remote session is active. If you are the team owner, make sure remote print is enabled in your team settings.
If the driver is correctly installed but the printer still does not appear in the printer list during a remote session, you may need to manually mount the printer. This method ensures the virtual printer is properly attached to the system and becomes visible in the printer list.
Step 1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Step 2. Navigate to this directory:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Splashtop\Splashtop Remote\Server\Driver\STPrinter\
Step 3. Run the file named p_mount.bat to mount the printer manually.
Step 4. Wait for the process to complete and check the printer list again during the remote session.
After enabling remote print, a printer called "Splashtop Remote Printer" should appear in the printer list only when a remote connection is established. If it still does not show up after completing these steps, it is recommended to contact Splashtop support and open a support ticket for further assistance.
When Splashtop remote printing stops working, the problem is often caused by its virtual printer driver. This driver must work perfectly on both the local and remote computers. If there is a Windows update, permission issue, or spooler error, the printer may disappear or print incorrectly. Pages may be cut off, formatting may change, or the job may fail without warning.
A simpler and more stable solution is to use AnyViewer with a transfer-then-print method. Instead of sending print data through a virtual driver, you transfer the original file to your local computer and print it directly. This approach avoids driver compatibility problems. You do not need to install or fix a remote printer driver. Just transfer the file through AnyViewerâs File Transfer feature and print it using your local printer, which is already properly configured.
It also keeps the document layout accurate. Because you are printing the original file, there is no format conversion during transmission. What you see on your screen is exactly what you print.
For large files, this method is often faster. Direct file transfer usually takes only seconds, while remote print spooling can take much longer and may freeze. In short, using AnyViewer for file transfer is the most reliable and practical way to solve persistent Splashtop remote printing issues.
Step 1. Download, install, and launch AnyViewer on both Windows computers.
Step 2. On the Controller computer, go to Log in, and then click Sign up. (If you already have signed up on its official website, you can log in directly.)
Step 3. Fill in the signup information.
Step 4. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account youâve logged in to.Â
Step 5. Choose your target computer, and then click File transfer.
Step 6. Then a File Transfer dialog box will appear. Youâre able to transfer files between devices freely by clicking the arrows after choosing the target files. You can also double-click the target file to achieve transfer.
Splashtop remote printing is not working can be frustrating, especially when you rely on remote access for daily tasks. By understanding the common error messages, such as missing drivers, permission issues, or connection problems, you can quickly identify the root cause and apply the right fix. In many cases, simply selecting the correct printer, reinstalling the remote printer driver, or updating the software resolves the issue. If driver related problems continue, using a file transfer and local print method like AnyViewer can provide a more stable and reliable alternative. With the right troubleshooting steps, you can restore smooth remote printing and keep your workflow running without interruption.
1. Why is my printer not printing from remote desktop?
This usually happens because the remote printer driver is not installed correctly, the wrong printer is selected, or the remote session is not active. Make sure you choose the correct remote printer option and confirm that the driver is properly installed.
2. How do I enable remote printing on Splashtop?
First, make sure Splashtop Streamer is updated on the remote computer. Then enable Remote Print in the Splashtop settings. During the remote session, select âSplashtop Remote Printerâ when printing. The local print window should then appear on your computer.
3. Why is my printer not printing remotely?
Remote printing may fail due to network issues, firewall restrictions, outdated software, or permission conflicts. Updating the app, restarting both devices, and checking your internet connection often fix the problem. If driver errors continue, you can use AnyViewer to transfer the file to your local computer and print it directly, which avoids printer issues.
4. How to enable printer in remote desktop?
In Remote Desktop settings, go to Local Resources and check the Printers option before starting the session. This allows your local printer to appear in the remote session.
5. Why is my printer not printing but connected?
If your printer is connected but not printing, it may be paused, set as offline, or stuck in the print queue. Clear the print queue, restart the printer, and make sure it is set as the default printer.