Printer Problem – Cannot Preview Reports Windows 7

A few people who are using a printer all of a sudden cannot preview reports but they can still print them. In order for the Reporter to even preview a report it requires a printer driver to tell it how to format the report preview. We can troubleshoot by setting the default printer to another one, even if it means installing a printer driver for a printer that is not attached to the computer. And then set it back to the original printer. Sometimes rebooting finishes the job of refreshing the printer connection.

Change the Default Printer

These steps in Windows 7 are similar to different versions of Windows but may vary slightly.

• On the Start Menu select Devices and Printers.
• On the Printer control panel right-click a different printer that isn’t checked as default.
• (If you don’t have another printer installed, install one)
• Choose Set as default printer.
• Test Preview.

 Windows Start button to open the Start menu.

Select Devices and Printers

Right-click a different printer that isn’t checked as default and select Set as default printer.

Test Preview: Go Back Into the Volunteer Reporter

• Leave the printer control panel open.
• Go back to the Reporter to Preview a report.
• If the Preview works, go back to the control panel and switch the Default back to the original printer.
• In the Reporter, see if you can Preview a report.
• If you cannot preview, reboot and try again.

Install a Printer Driver

We are going to “install an additional printer” on your computer but actually you will just be installing the driver. Choose the HP Deskjet 450— just because it’s an older, reliable driver. Here’s how (screen views follow):

1. On the Start Menu select Devices and Printers.
2. On the Printer control panel choose Add a printer.
3. Select Add a local printer. Next.
4. Install the printer driver: Choose HP on the left.
5. For this example choose HP Deskjet 450 on the right. Next.
6. Use the driver that is currently installed. Next.
7. Accept the given printer name by clicking Next.
8. Leave the dot on Do not share this printer. Next.
9. Set as Default printer. Finish.
10. Leave the printer control panel open.

Go Back Into the Volunteer Reporter

• Go back to the Reporter to Preview a report.
• If the Preview works, go back to the control panel and switch the Default back to the original printer.
• In the Reporter, see if you can Preview a report.
• If you cannot preview, reboot and try again.

1. On the Start Menu select Devices and Printers.

2. Choose Add a printer.

3. Select a local printer.

4. Choose HP on the left. 5. Choose HP Deskjet 450 on the right.

6. Use the driver that is currently installed.

7. Accept the given printer name.

8. Do not share this printer.

9. Set as Default printer.

Newly added printer driver set as default printer.

Test Preview.

Do not try to print with the dummy printer driver because it has no corresponding printer attached. You can use that default setting for Previewing only.