⚠️ 2 verified solutions available for Error 3021 — Last updated 2026-03-15
Error 3021 📋

Fix ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_DRIVER_MANIFEST — Windows Error Code 3021

Error 3021 (ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_DRIVER_MANIFEST) is a Windows RPC & Network error that occurs when the printer driver does not contain a valid manifest. This guide provides step-by-step solutions to resolve this issue.

🏷️ Code: 3021 📛 ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_DRIVER_MANIFEST 📅 Updated: 2026-03-15 ⏱️ 2 Solutions
⚡ Quick Fix

Reset the Print Spooler Service: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

👇 See all 2 solutions below
🐞 Auto-Fix Script for Error 3021
⚠️ How to use: Open PowerShell as Administrator, paste the code above, and press Enter.
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📑 Table of Contents
What is Error 3021? Common Causes Step-by-Step Solutions Prevention Tips Related Errors

💡 What is Error 3021?

Windows System Error Code 3021, known as ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_DRIVER_MANIFEST, is a RPC & Network error that occurs during Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and network communication. The error indicates that: The printer driver does not contain a valid manifest When this error is encountered, the Windows operating system was unable to complete the requested operation within the network services subsystem. The error code 3021 is returned by the GetLastError() function and provides developers with a specific identifier to diagnose the root cause of the failure. The symbolic name ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_DRIVER_MANIFEST maps directly to this numeric code and is commonly referenced in Microsoft documentation, developer forums, and system logs. Understanding this error and its context within Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and network communication is essential for effective troubleshooting.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • Print Spooler service is hung or crashed
  • Corrupted print jobs stuck in the queue
  • Incompatible or outdated printer drivers
📚 Comprehensive Guide

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✅ Step-by-Step Solutions

1 Reset the Print Spooler Service
  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Run: net stop spooler
  3. Run: del /f /q C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*
  4. Run: net start spooler
  5. This clears the print queue and restarts the printing service
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2 Reinstall Printer Drivers
  1. Open Device Manager → Expand 'Print queues'
  2. Right-click your printer → Uninstall device
  3. Disconnect the printer, restart your computer
  4. Reconnect the printer and let Windows install fresh drivers
  5. Or download the latest driver from the manufacturer's website

🎬 Video Tutorials

▶️ Watch Video Tutorials
How to fix Error 3021 (Invalid Printer Driver Manifest)
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💻 Diagnostic Command

Run this PowerShell command to find related events in your system log:

Get-EventLog -LogName System -Newest 20 | Where-Object {$_.Message -like "*3021*" -or $_.Message -like "*ERROR_INVALID_PRINTER_DRIVER_MANIFEST*"} | Format-List

💡 Open PowerShell as Administrator, paste the command above, and press Enter.

🛡️ Prevention Tips

  • Keep printer drivers updated from the manufacturer's website
  • Clear the print queue if a job gets stuck instead of sending more jobs
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Last updated: 2026-03-15
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Based on Official Microsoft Documentation
Solutions Tested on Windows 10 & 11
Error codes sourced from Microsoft Win32 SDK. Updated 2026-03-15.
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