Fix printer error 0x80093021 (OSS_OUT_OF_RANGE)

When you see this error

You're trying to print, and the job sits in the queue for a few seconds. Then it disappears, and you get a pop-up or a status message: 0x80093021 — OSS_OUT_OF_RANGE. This usually happens on a Windows 10 or 11 machine after a driver update or when you've connected to a network printer that uses certificate-based authentication. I've seen it most often with HP and Canon printers, but it's not limited to those brands.

You might also spot it when you open the printer properties and get the same error. The printer itself might be online and ready — the problem is on the PC side.

Root cause

The error means the Windows print subsystem is trying to decode something (like a driver or a certificate) using ASN.1 rules, and it can't. The data is either corrupted or out of range. A corrupted print driver is the usual suspect — especially if the driver you're using isn't the right one for your Windows build. Less common but still real: a damaged print spooler file or a bad printer certificate if you're on a secured network.

Skip any fancy troubleshooting. The real fix is to clear out the old driver and spooler data and start fresh.

Step-by-step fix

Step 1: Stop the print spooler

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find Print Spooler in the list. Right-click it and select Stop.
3. Leave the services window open — you'll need it later.

After you stop it, the print queue should be empty. Jobs that were stuck won't print.

Step 2: Delete the spooler files

1. Open File Explorer. In the address bar, paste this: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
2. Select everything in that folder (Ctrl + A) and delete it. You might get a warning that some files are in use — that's fine. If any won't delete, skip them and move on.
3. Close the folder.

Step 3: Remove the printer driver

1. Open Device Manager. You can search for it from the Start menu.
2. Expand Print queues. You'll see your printer listed there.
3. Right-click your printer and select Uninstall device. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device if you see it.
4. Confirm the uninstall.

This step can be slow — Windows might hang for a few seconds. That's normal. Wait until it finishes.

Step 4: Clear driver packages from Print Management

1. Press Win + R, type printmanagement.msc, and press Enter.
2. On the left, expand Print Management → Custom Filters → All Drivers.
3. Look for your printer's driver in the list. Right-click it and select Remove driver package.
4. Confirm the removal. If it says the driver is in use, restart the PC and try again.

Step 5: Restart the spooler

1. Go back to the services window you left open.
2. Right-click Print Spooler and select Start.

You should see the status change to Running. If it doesn't start, check for another service that depends on it — sometimes Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) needs to be running first.

Step 6: Reinstall the printer with the right driver

1. Go to your printer manufacturer's website. Download the driver that matches your exact Windows version (10 or 11, 64-bit or 32-bit). Don't use the one Windows suggests automatically — it's often the wrong one.
2. Run the installer. Follow the prompts. Most new installers will detect the printer on your network or via USB.
3. Once installed, try printing a test page: open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Click your printer, then Print a test page.

If the test page prints without the error, you're good. If not, move to the next section.

What to check if it still fails

• Check the printer's certificate. If you're on a corporate network and your printer uses TLS or IPPS, the certificate on the printer might be expired or misconfigured. Open the printer's web interface (type its IP address into a browser), look under Security or Certificates, and see if the date is valid. Ask your network admin to regenerate it if it's expired.
• Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter. It's not a cure-all, but it can catch things like a corrupted printer port. Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Printer. Run it and see if it finds anything.
• Check for a pending Windows update. A cumulative update sometimes includes a fix for the print spooler. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates. Install any pending updates and restart.
• Try a different USB port or cable. If you're using a USB connection, sometimes the port is flaky. Try a different port or a known-good cable.

If none of this works, you might be dealing with a hardware issue — specifically a damaged printer mainboard. But that's rare. I've only seen it twice in ten years. More often, it's a driver that didn't uninstall cleanly. In that case, boot into Safe Mode, repeat Steps 3 and 4, then try again.