Printer not found. Using Default

Error Message

Opening a map document in ArcMap 8.x displays the following error message:

"Printer <printer_name> not found. Using default"

Cause

The map document was saved with the 'Same as printer' page size setting. This saves the printer name and printer page size information in the map document. When this map document is opened on a machine that does not have a connection to that printer, ArcMap uses the default printer on that machine instead.

Additionally, when the 'Scale map elements to changes in page size' option is checked, ArcMap scales the original map page size to fit the default printer page size.

Solution or Workaround

• 1. Select the printer on your machine that most closely matches the printer on the machine on which the map document was saved. For example, if the original printer was an HP DesignJet 1050C but you now have an HP DesignJet 5500PS, make the HP DesignJet 5500PS the default printer on your machine.
  

  1. Open Printers from the Windows Control Panel.
  2. Right-click on the printer that is to be the new default.
  3. Select Set as Default Printer. A black checkmark next to the new default printer appears.

  
  
  2. Set the default paper size for the default printer to the same page size setting as the map document. For example, if the page size of your map is 34" x 44", make the default paper size on the default printer 34" x 44". It may be listed as 'ANSI E' or simply as 'E'.
  

  1. From the Windows Printers dialog, right click on your default printer and select Printing Preferences...
  
  2. Change the paper size to the size you want. Unfortunately, not all printer drivers are the same, so this option may not be in the same place.
  
  In the example of the HP DesignJet 5500PS, click on Advanced... and then select your new page size default from the Paper Size drop down list.

  
  
  3. Select File > Page Setup to access the Page Setup dialog box. Either turn off the 'Same as Printer' page size option or reselect the new printer and appropriate page size and resave the document.
• 1. Delete all the printers installed on the computer.
  
  2. Open the map document(s) in ArcMap. With no printers installed, the maps do not scale to any printer page size.
  
  3. Resave the map documents with Same as Printer not checked and then close ArcMap.
  
  4. Reinstall the printers.
  
  

  Note:
  This has been fixed in ArcGIS 9.0. When you open a map document that has been saved with the Same as Printer option, known as 'Use Printer Settings' at 9.x, and that printer can not be found, ArcMap turns off the Same as Printer / Use Printer Setting option and continues opening the map normally.