XPS Printer Error 1168 Fix: Repair Services, Drivers, and Registry Issues

XPS (XML Paper Specification) is Microsoft’s alternative to PDF, powered by the Microsoft XPS Document Writer. But some users encounter the frustrating message:

“Error 1168: Element not found”

This issue blocks XPS printing or installation. It usually happens due to missing services, corrupted drivers, or broken system files. Below is a complete troubleshooting guide with both basic and advanced solutions.

Why Error 1168 Happens

The error usually points to a broken link in Windows printing components:

• XPS or Print Spooler service not running
• Corrupted XPS Document Writer driver
• Spooler cache or registry corruption
• Missing system files
• Faulty Windows updates or conflicts with third-party software

Basic Fixes for XPS Printer Error 1168

1. Restart Print Spooler & XPS Services

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Right-click Print Spooler → Restart.
3. Check for XPS Services. Set startup type to Automatic, then Start.

2. Reinstall Microsoft XPS Document Writer

Corruption in XPS features is common.

• Go to Settings → Apps → Optional features.
• Search for Microsoft XPS Document Writer. Remove it, restart, then reinstall.
• Or via Control Panel:
  • Open Turn Windows features on or off.
  • Expand Print and Document Services.
  • Uncheck XPS, reboot, then re-enable it.

3. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

1. Press Win + X → Device Manager.
2. Expand Print queues.
3. Right-click Microsoft XPS Document Writer → Update driver.
4. If update fails → Uninstall device, reboot, and let Windows reinstall.

4. Clean Spooler & Driver Store

1. Stop Print Spooler from services.
2. Go to: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS Delete all files.
3. Restart Print Spooler.

To remove corrupt drivers (advanced):

pnputil /enum-drivers
pnputil /delete-driver <oem#.inf> /uninstall /force

5. Repair System Files

Open Command Prompt (Admin):

sfc /scannow

Then:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart and test again.

6. Install or Roll Back Windows Updates

• Check Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.
• Install pending patches.
• If issue began after an update, uninstall the last patch from View update history.

7. Test in Another Profile or Safe Mode

• Create a new user account and test printing.
• If it works, your current profile may be corrupted.
• Try Safe Mode to confirm if third-party apps are interfering.

Advanced Fixes for Stubborn Cases

8. Manually Reinstall XPS Printer via Add Printer Wizard

If the Microsoft XPS Document Writer is missing or corrupted, you can manually re-add it.

1. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Add Printer.
2. Select The printer that I want isn’t listed.
3. Choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings.
4. On the Choose a printer port screen, you have two working options:
   • Use an existing port: XPSPort:
     (Default option used by XPS Document Writer)
   • Use an existing port: PORTPROMPT: (Local Port):
     (Alternative method if XPSPort fails)
5. On the Install a printer driver screen, select Microsoft on the left and Microsoft XPS Document Writer on the right.
6. When prompted “Which version of the driver do you want to use?”, choose Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended).
7. Finish the setup and restart your PC.

This ensures the XPS Document Writer is re-registered correctly in Windows, fixing cases where error 1168 is caused by a missing or broken printer entry.

9. Repair Registry Entries (Caution)

If registry keys are corrupted:

• Press Win + R, type regedit, Enter.
• Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers

• Export this key (backup).
• Remove broken XPS entries.
• Reinstall Microsoft XPS Document Writer.

Registry editing is risky — only for advanced users.

10. Perform a Clean Boot (Check Third-Party Conflicts)

Some PDF tools, printer monitors, or security software interfere with XPS.

• Press Win + R, type msconfig.
• Under Services, check Hide Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
• Disable startup items in Task Manager.
• Restart and test.

If it works, re-enable items one by one to identify the culprit.

11. Use Event Viewer for Deeper Diagnosis

• Press Win + X, select Event Viewer.
• Navigate: Windows Logs → System.
• Look for PrintService errors.
• Errors here can pinpoint whether it’s a service, driver, or system file failure.

FAQs: XPS Printer Error 1168

Q1. Can I ignore this error and just use PDF?
Yes, but if your workflow depends on XPS (for compliance or legacy apps), fixing it is better.

Q2. Is Microsoft dropping XPS support?
No — XPS is still supported in Windows 10 and 11, though less emphasized compared to PDF.

Q3. Does reinstalling Windows fix it?
Yes, but it should be a last resort. Try the above fixes first.

Error 1168: Element not found with XPS Document Writer usually means Windows can’t locate the service, driver, or registry entry. By restarting spooler services, reinstalling XPS features, cleaning drivers, and repairing system files, most users can resolve the issue. For tougher cases, manually adding the printer (with XPSPort or PORTPROMPT), repairing registry entries, or performing a Clean Boot may be necessary.