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Can't print from Firefox unless running as administrator

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Until recently, I could print from Firefox; now I can only print if I'm running the program as administrator. Coincidentally, I've got the same problem with Pale Moon, while Google Chrome prints fine. Anyone know what could cause this?

When I attempt to print, all I get is the following message "An error occurred while printing."

I'm using Firefox (64bit) 52.6.0 & Pale Moon (32bit) 27.7.2 with Windows 10 Home (x64 Build 16299.125) and printing to a wireless HP ENVY 5530 printer.

Until recently, I could print from Firefox; now I can only print if I'm running the program as administrator. Coincidentally, I've got the same problem with Pale Moon, while Google Chrome prints fine. Anyone know what could cause this? When I attempt to print, all I get is the following message "An error occurred while printing." I'm using Firefox (64bit) 52.6.0 & Pale Moon (32bit) 27.7.2 with Windows 10 Home (x64 Build 16299.125) and printing to a wireless HP ENVY 5530 printer.

Chosen solution

So it seems the problem wasn't just with my browsers (Firefox & Pale Moon), although initially I could print a pdf file. As WestEnd was indicating, the problem was likely somehow with my account privileges.

So I got looking for a more general solution to the problem. I stumbled upon a couple of other forums that suggested the issue could lie with my TEMP folder. It seems HP uses the TEMP folder when printing? I had recently moved the TEMP folder to my D drive and even though I "created" the new TEMP folder, I didn't have full control - go figure. As soon as I gave my account full control of the folder, I could print without problem.

What is it with Window's ridiculous permissions anyway?

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All Replies (5)

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Does the other account have printers setup for them? I know because in Windows 10 once they are setup for printers the limited user accounts have access to the printers. So unless some problem happened during the Admin printer install or privileges was removed from limited user account you won't be able to print.

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Thanks for the reply Westend, There are no other accounts on this machine though - I'm the only user.

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For Windows recently there is always two accounts you never see the Admin account unless you unhide it. There is the Admin and then the Owner accounts the one you make and install with. Did you uninstall the print driver and reinstall it? The only time one can print and one can't means something is broke in the priviledge levels and you need to use the admin to look to see what if anything was changed.

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I'll look into that WestEnd - it'll have to wait a couple of days since I'm away from the computer in question right now.

A couple of things though, I hadn't uninstalled or reinstalled the printer drivers, and I can print without problems from other programs - Firefox & Pale Moon are the only ones I'm aware of that require administrator rights.

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Chosen Solution

So it seems the problem wasn't just with my browsers (Firefox & Pale Moon), although initially I could print a pdf file. As WestEnd was indicating, the problem was likely somehow with my account privileges.

So I got looking for a more general solution to the problem. I stumbled upon a couple of other forums that suggested the issue could lie with my TEMP folder. It seems HP uses the TEMP folder when printing? I had recently moved the TEMP folder to my D drive and even though I "created" the new TEMP folder, I didn't have full control - go figure. As soon as I gave my account full control of the folder, I could print without problem.

What is it with Window's ridiculous permissions anyway?