Why does my printer keep coming back when I delete it?

This can cause if there is some print job(s) associated with that printer. So, you should clear those print jobs and then delete the printer. It can also happen if multiple user accounts are logged in and one of those user accounts is using the printer you want to delete.

Deleted Printer keeps reappearing & coming back

This problem is a very common one at a workplace, where multiple printers are being used, and different people work on individual printers. If your deleted Printer may keep reappearing & coming back in Windows 11/10/8/7 try these suggestions and see if they fix the problem for you.

Can’t remove the printer

1] The problem might be in the Print Server Properties

You then need to go to the Settings app and right-click on System. Then choose Apps & features, find the printer driver, and choose to remove it from the system.

2] Might be a problem with the Registry

Even after deleting the printer from the Settings app and the Control Panel, the configuration of the registry does not change, and you need to edit it. Here’s what you need to do to configure the registry. Select ‘Win + R’ on your keyboard and write regedit in Run, when it appears. This will open up the Registry Editor and then click OK. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key-

Next, you need to expand the Printers key and find the printer you need to delete. Right-click on it and click on Delete. Now, restart your PC, and then go to Devices and Printers again to see if the printer has been deleted.

3] Log out as every user

Office computers usually have multiple users, who might be logged in to the printer you want to delete at the same time. You need to log out of each account and delete the printer and the driver package.

4] Use a Deleter tool

The Kyocera Deleter tool, for instance, will remove the printer if you run it as an administrator. This tool is available here. Create a system restore point first before using it.

5] Use Device Manager

Go to the Device Manager and go to  View and then choose Show hidden devices. Expand the Software devices group, where you will find all the printer devices. You can delete it from there.

6] Use Print Management

If you are using the Print Management app, this might be a good tool to delete the ghost printer without much hassle. Hope something here helps you.

How do I permanently delete printer drivers?

To permanently delete a printer driver in Windows 11/10, first, open the Print Management app using the Search box. In the Navigation pane of that app, expand the Custom Filters section, and select All Drivers. A list of all printer drivers including the driver name will visible in the right section. Right-click on a printer driver and use the Remove Driver Package option. Read next:  Clear jammed or stuck Print job queue.