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Can't print anything in Firefox: Printer Error An error occurred while printing.

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Gandalf99

Gandalf99
Gandalf99
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I'm running Fx 44.0.2 on Mac 10.11.3. I believe the problem started before I upgraded though, but can't be sure. I can't print or print to pdf at all from Fx but printing in other apps works fine. I tried doing a refresh as recommended by troubleshooting page & it didn't solve the problem. Since that time I've only installed 2 extensions (1Password & Tab Tree). There was also a recommendation to reset a setting containing print_printer in about:config. It doesn't exist. That may be the problem, but it doesn't say what the whole name of the key is so I don't know how to create it. There's also a recommendation for removing all print items from the prefs_js file, but it seems to me that the refresh created a whole new profile which would make this moot. Am I wrong? Any help would be greatfully appreciated.

I'm running Fx 44.0.2 on Mac 10.11.3. I believe the problem started before I upgraded though, but can't be sure. I can't print or print to pdf at all from Fx but printing in other apps works fine. I tried doing a refresh as recommended by troubleshooting page & it didn't solve the problem. Since that time I've only installed 2 extensions (1Password & Tab Tree). There was also a recommendation to reset a setting containing print_printer in about:config. It doesn't exist. That may be the problem, but it doesn't say what the whole name of the key is so I don't know how to create it. There's also a recommendation for removing all print items from the prefs_js file, but it seems to me that the refresh created a whole new profile which would make this moot. Am I wrong? Any help would be greatfully appreciated.

Chosen solution

I stumbled on the solution when I tried to print a pdf I received by email. It turns out that the printer paper size was set to other rather than letter. I'm not sure how this happened nor why it affected Fx but not other programs, but I'm glad it's resolved. Guigs, thanks again for your help.

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All Replies (3)

guigs
guigs
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HI Gandalf99, The about:config pref has been removed by default, however you can add it back and set it true/false and it will have the same effect.

Gandalf99
Gandalf99 Question owner
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Hi Guigs,

Thanks for the info. I created "print_printer" and set it to true & then restarted Fx & it didn't help (just to be sure I tried false as well).

I don't know if this is related or not:

  • The help page also suggests eliminating any print_... preferences. If I go into prefs.js in the profile that was created when I clicked reset & now use, there are none other than the print_printer that I created
  • But if I look in about:config there are a few "old" ones beginning print.print_
  • I don't have a user_js file in that profile so they can't be coming from there either.

I'm baffled about where those items are coming from & whether they matter at all.

Any suggestions?

Gandalf99
Gandalf99 Question owner
more options

Chosen Solution

I stumbled on the solution when I tried to print a pdf I received by email. It turns out that the printer paper size was set to other rather than letter. I'm not sure how this happened nor why it affected Fx but not other programs, but I'm glad it's resolved. Guigs, thanks again for your help.