FIX: 0x000003e3 Printing error ‘The I/O operation has been aborted because of either a thread exit or an application request’

This guide contains instructions to fix the printing error “0x000003e3: The I/O operation has been aborted because of either a thread exit or an application request” on Windows 11/10.

The “error 0x000003e3: Operation could not be completed. The I/O operation has been aborted because of either a thread exit or an application request” when printing typically occurs due to driver issues, print spooler service issues, or Windows updates. To fix the problem follow the steps below.

FIX: Print error 0x000003e3 “Operation could not be completed. The I/O operation has been aborted because of either a thread exit or an application request” on Windows 11/10.

Method 1. Run Printer troubleshooter.

The first method to fix the printing error “0x000003e3: The I/O operation has been aborted…”, is by using the printer troubleshooter.

1a. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run command box.
1b. Now type the below command and press Enter (OK).

• msdt.exe /id PrinterDiagnostic

2. Click Next at first screen to start the troubleshooter.

3. If the troubleshooter fixes the problem, try printing. If the troubleshooter cannot identify the problem, close it and continue to the next method.

Method 2. Reset Print Spooler service.

The second method to fix printing issues, is to clear the pending print jobs in order to reset the print spooler service. To do that:

1a. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run widget.
1b. Type: services.msc and press Enter.

2. At the right pane, right click on Print Spooler service and click Stop. Then, without closing the ‘Services’ window and continue to next step.

3a. Now, simultaneously press the Windows

+ R keys to open run command box.
3b. In ‘Run’ command box, type the following command and click OK:

• %systemroot%System32SpoolPrinters

4. Press CTRL + A to select all the files inside the “Printers” folder and press the Delete button to delete all pending print jobs.

5. Now go back to Services window, right-click at Print Spooler service and click Start.

2. Finally close all windows and try to print.

Method 3. Remove & Reinstall the Printer.

1. Navigate to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners.

2. Now click on your printer and then click the Remove button to uninstall it.

3. When the printer is removed, restart your computer.

4. After restart, navigate again to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners.

5. Check if your printer has been reinstated automatically and if so, print a test page to see if it works. If not installed, click Add Device to install it manually.

6. When Windows find the printer, click the Add device button next to your printer to install it. After printer installation print a test page to see if it works.

Method 4. Install the printer manufacturer’s driver.

1. Follow the steps 1-2 from method-2 above to uninstall the printer.
2a. After printer removal, open the Print server properties under Related settings.

2b. In Drivers tab, select and remove any driver related to the printer. When done, click OK to close that window.

3a. Now, press the Windows

  + R keys to load the ‘Run’ dialog box.
3b. Type appwiz.cpl in the search box and press Enter.

4. Check if there is any printer software installed and if so Uninstall it.

5. Now go to your printer manufacturer’s support site and download* and install the latest PCL or Postscript (PS) drivers for your printer.

* Note: If the manufacturer offers a “Universal Printing” driver, I recommend to download and install that driver.

Method 5. Change Printing Port to Printer’s IP Address.*

If you encounter the mentioned error when printing to a network* printer, set the printer port to the printer’s IP address instead of the WSD (IPP) port.

* Note: This method applies only to network printers (Ethernet or Wireless).

1. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

2. Click on your printer and then under the “More Information” area click Device Information.

3. Note the IP Address of your printer and continue to next step.

* Note: To apply this method you must know the printer’s IP Address.

4. Now, open Printer Properties.

5. In Printer Properties, select the Ports tab and click Add Port .

6. Select the Standard TCP/IP Port and click New Port.

7. Click Next at the next window and then type the IP Address of your printer. When done, click Next & then Close.

8. Finally make sure that printer is set to print to the printer’s IP Address and click Apply.

9. Now, go to General tab and click Print Test Page to test if your printer is working. If not, continue to next method.

Method 6: Scan and repair corrupted system files.

Printer problems may be caused by corrupted or missing system files. So the next method to fix the mentioned printer error is to repair the Windows system files by using the instructions below:

1. In the Search type: cmd or command prompt
2. Then, on the command prompt (result)  select Run as administrator.

2. At the command prompt window, type the following command & press Enter:

• Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth

3. Be patient until DISM repairs component store. When the operation is completed, (you should be informed that the component store corruption was repaired), give this command and press Enter:

• SFC /SCANNOW

4. When SFC scan is completed, restart your computer.
5.  After rebooting, check if your printer is working.

Method 7. Uninstall Latest Windows Update(s)

Since the mentioned printing problem may occur after installing a Windows update, proceed and uninstall the latest updates from your PC.

1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and open the Update history.

2. In Update History, find out which update has been installed recently. (e.g the ‘KB5036980’ in this example)

3. Then scroll down the page and under Related settings select Uninstall updates.

4. Then, locate in the list the KB number of the recently update (e.g the ‘KB5036980’ in this example), and click Uninstall next to it to uninstall it. *

* Note: If you cannot uninstall the update from here, then follow on of the methods in this article: How to Uninstall Updates in Windows 11 (All Methods).

5. After removing the update, restart the computer and check if the issue is fixed.

That’s it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

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Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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