Windows always ensures the security of computers and their users. Regular updates are released frequently to keep your computer free from threats and errors. Thus, your device is constantly updated when you follow the prompts to update it. However, sometimes many updates are not fully installed, resulting in errors. One common error is the inability to install the printer, invalid processor. In this article, you will learn what an invalid processor error is, and troubleshooting methods to fix the invalid processor (the handle is invalid) error in Windows 10.
How to Fix the Handle Is Invalid Error in Windows 10
An INVALID_HANDLE error occurred on the sign-in or registration screen. This error prevents you from printing a job or running any script. This error is caused by incompatible Windows update files or any misconfigured system files on your computer. You may encounter the error under many circumstances, but the inability to install a printer prevents you from adding any printers or using an existing one. You may encounter this printer installation error because the handler is invalid in all older versions of Windows, and you cannot proceed with any pending updates or software updates. Other causes are listed below.
- Malware or virus attack
- Problematic registration file
- Login credentials are incorrect.
- Windows cannot copy non-pseudo-processors from PEB32 processes.
In this section, we've compiled a list of methods that will help you fix the invalid handle error in Windows 10. The methods are arranged in order of severity and effectiveness so you can resolve the issue as soon as possible. Follow them in that order for optimal results.
Method 1: Restart your computer
A simple reboot will help resolve any temporary errors, making it easy to fix this error. Therefore, try restarting your computer using the steps below and see if you encounter the issue again. Alternatively, you can completely shut down your system using the power options and then restart it.
1. Go to the desktop by clicking on Windows + D keys At the same time.
2. Now, tap on Alt + F4 keys At the same time, you will see a pop-up window as shown below.
3. Now, click on the drop-down box and select the option Reboot.
4. Finally, tap Enter To restart your system.
Check if this error is resolved now.
Method 2: Run the printer troubleshooter
Running the Windows Printer Troubleshooter is the simplest way to resolve this error on your computer. This process will remove all corrupted and damaged files on your computer. Here are some simple steps to run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter.
1. Press Windows key + I At the same time to open Settings.
2. Click pn Update & Security.
3. Click find the mistakes and resolve it. then select the printer And click Run the troubleshooter.
4. Your system will undergo a scanning process. Wait for the process to complete, and if any issues are found with your system, click Apply this fix Follow the instructions in the successive prompts.
5. Finally, Restart your computer Once all the issues are applied and fixed in your system.
Method 3: Download HP Universal Print Driver (for HP systems)
Many users have reported that downloading the HP Universal Print Driver fixed this issue because it automatically detects and configures both HP and non-HP drivers. You can also try downloading the HP Universal Print Driver from HP website.
Method 4: Modify the local security policy
Many users have reported that modifying network security policies helped them resolve this error. There are certain parameters that need to be changed, which can be helpful when encountering such errors. Here are some guidelines for modifying local security policies.
Note: You can only access Local Security Policy if you're using Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
1. Turn on Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R keys together.
2. Now, type secpol.msc in the box and press Enter key.
Note: You can also type Local Security Policy in the search box to open the window.
3. Then, click Local Policies in the left pane, followed by Security Options as shown.
4. Now, in the left pane, double-click on Network Security: LAN Manager Authentication Level to open it.
5. Now, in Local Security Setting tab , Locate Send LM & NTLM – Use option NTLMv2 Session Security If negotiated from the drop down menu as shown.
6. Now, click Apply.> OK To save the changes and return to the Local Security Policy window.
7. Then double-click on Network Security: Minimum session security for clients NTLM SSP (including Secure RPC) to open it.
8. Now, uncheck the option. 128-bit encryption request As shown below.
9. Finally, tap “Apply” > “OK” toSaving changes and restart the computer.
Check if the issue is resolved now.
Method 5: Update or roll back drivers
Follow these steps to update the driver or roll back printer driver updates to fix the printer not being able to install, and fix the invalid handle error in Windows 10.
Option 1: Update drivers
If the current drivers in your system are incompatible or outdated with the program files, you may encounter a bad processor issue, especially with printers. Therefore, it is recommended to update your printer drivers to prevent this problem.
1. Write Device Manager In the list Windows 10 Search.
2. Double-click on print queues to expand it.
3. Right click on Printer name and select Driver Update.
Note: Here Microsoft XPS Document Writer is shown as an example.
4. Next, tap “Search automatically for drivers” To automatically download and install the best available driver.
5a. Now, the drivers will be updated and installed to Latest version , if not updated.
5b. If they are already up to date, a message will be displayed stating that the best drivers for your device have already been installed.
Restart your computer , and check if you have fixed this issue in your system.
Option 2: Roll back driver updates
If your system was working properly and started crashing after an update, rolling back the drivers may help. Rolling back the driver will delete the current driver installed on the system and replace it with the previous version. This process should eliminate any errors in the drivers and potentially resolve the issue.
1. Write Device Manager in Windows search bar Open it from the search results.
2. Double-click on printers From the panel on the left, expand it.
3. Right click on printer driver And click "Characteristics" , as shown.
4. Switch to Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver , as shown.
5. State the reason why you are reversing? In Roll Back Driver Package. Then click "Yeah" As shown below.
6. Then click "OK" To apply this change. Finally, Restart your computer.
Method 6: Update Windows
Make sure you're using an up-to-date version of Windows. Otherwise, the files on your system will be incompatible with the program files, causing the cursor to become invalid. Follow the steps below to update your Windows operating system.
1. Press Windows key + I At the same time to run Settings.
2. Click on the box Update and security , as shown.
3. in Windows Update tab , Click Check for updates button (Check for updates).
4 a. If availableNew talk, Click INSTALL NOW And follow Instructions To update.
4b. Otherwise, if Windows is up to date, you will see Updated message.
Method 7: Reinstall the printer
Suppose you encounter this error after running the printer troubleshooter. In this case, you can try reinstalling any specific printers where you encounter the error, as described below.
Note: Here, Microsoft Print to PDF is taken as an example.
1. Open Control Panel and click الأجهزة والطابعات As shown.
2. Then right-click on the printer and select the Remove device option as shown below.
3. Click "Yeah" in Removal of decision prompt.
4. Later, click Add a printer As shown below.
5. Now, select The printer I want is not a listed option. As shown below.
6. Then click Add a local or network printer With manual settings as shown, then click next one.
7. In the next window, click PORTPROMPT: (Local Port) In the drop-down menu, click Use an existing port and next one.
8. Now, choose Manufacturer and printers As shown below and click on Next As shown.
9. Rename the printer if necessary and click "the following".
10. Finally, wait for Windows to install the printer and check if you encounter this error again.
Method 8: Repair System Files
You can automatically scan and repair system files by running System File Checker (SFC) and a DISM scan. Follow the steps below to perform this.
1. Press Windows key , And type Command Prompt And click Run as administrator.
2. Click "Yeah" in the prompt User Account Control.
3. Type the command chkdsk C: /f /r /x And press Enter key.
4. If you are asked for a message, Chkdsk cannot be run... The volume... is in use. , then type Y And press Enter key.
5. Again, type the command: sfc / scannow And press Enter key to turn on System File Checker.
Note: The system scan will begin and take two minutes to complete. In the meantime, you can continue performing other activities, but be careful not to accidentally close the window.
After the scan is complete, any of these messages will appear:
- Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
- Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.
- Windows Resource Protection found and successfully repaired corrupted files.
- Windows Resource Protection found corrupted files but was unable to repair some of them.
6. Once the scan is complete, Restart your computer.
7. Again, do Run command prompt as administrator Execute the specified commands one by one:
dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /scanhealth dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /restorehealth dism.exe /Online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
Note: You must have a working Internet connection to execute DISM commands correctly.
Method 9: Run a malware scan
Follow these steps to perform a malware scan and fix the Unable to install printer, invalid processor error.
1. Press Windows key + I At the same time to run Settings.
2. Here, click Update and security settings As shown.
3. Go to Windows Security in the right pane.
4. Click Option Virus and threat protection in the right pane.
5. Click Quick Scan button To scan for malware.
6a. Once the scan is complete, all threats will be displayed. Click Start the process Among the current threats.
6b. If there is no threat on your device, the device will display a No Current Threats alert.
Method 10: Run Startup Repair
Running Startup Repair will help you fix the "Unable to install printer" error due to invalid processor. Follow the instructions below to do so.
1. Go to start menu.
2. Now, select energy symbol and click Reboot during Press the Shift key.
3. Here, click find the mistakes and resolve it.Refer to the image.
4. Now, click on Advanced Options Followed by fixing startup issues.
5. Now, click on "Continue" To continue. If your account is password-protected, select your account and enter your password to continue.
Now, the Startup Repair tool will scan your computer and fix the issue.
Method 11: Uninstall corrupted updates in safe mode
Some other users who are experiencing the "Unable to install printer - Invalid processor" error have been able to resolve it in safe mode. Start your computer in safe mode and try uninstalling the recent update that caused the error. Here are some instructions for installing the update in safe mode.
Note: To boot your PC into Safe Mode, you may be prompted to enter your BitLocker key (if you have an encrypted device).
To boot your computer into Safe Mode, you must enter the Windows Recovery Environment, which can be done by shutting down and restarting your device repeatedly.
1. Press Windows key + I Together to open Settings In your system.
2. Now, select Update and security.
3. Now, click on recovery In the right pane, select the option Reboot Now under Advanced Startup.
4. Now, allow your computer to restart completely this time. You will enter Windows Recovery Environment now.
5. Here, click find the mistakes and resolve it.
6. Now, click on Advanced Options As shown.
7. Now, select Advanced Options followed by With startup settings.
8. Click Reboot Wait until the screen appears. Startup Settings.
9. Press Key (number) 4 To enter Safe Mode.
Note: To enable Safe Mode with Network Access, press 5.
Now, you will be able to go ahead and fix this by manually uninstalling the recent updates after booting your computer in safe mode.
10. Press Windows key. Write Control Panel And turn it on.
11. Set Display by large icons and select programs and features.
12. Now, click on View installed updates On the right side as shown here.
13. Now, select Last updated And click Uninstall option , As shown below.
14. Next, confirm the claim, if any, And restart the computer.
Check if you have fixed the problem.
Note: If you encounter any errors in safe mode, uninstall or reinstall the problematic apps that are causing this error.
Method 12: Perform a System Restore
Often, you may encounter an inability to install the printer due to an invalid processor error after a Windows update. If you encounter this issue, you can: System Restore To its previous version.
Note: It is recommended that you boot your Windows 10 computer into Safe Mode before proceeding with System Restore.
1. Press Windows key , And type Command Prompt And click Run as administrator.
2. Type the command rstrui.exe And press Enter key.
3. Now, click Next in the window. system recovery , as shown.
4. Finally, confirm the restore point by clicking the button. "ending".
Now, the system will be restored to its previous state, now check if the issue is resolved.
We hope this guide was helpful and you were able to fix the printer not being able to install, and that you were able to fix the invalid handle error in Windows 10. Let us know which method worked best for you. Also, if you have any queries/suggestions regarding this article, feel free to leave them in the comments section.
