Member Avatar for Rikker

I keep getting "not communicating with printer message". Lexmark support hasn't been helpful. I do not have the initial disk. I've unplugged, disconnected, uninstalled, etc, and nothing seems to be helping. Any suggestions?

Rikker

  • 3 Contributors
  • 3 Replies
  • 306 Views
  • 3 Months Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by merryjohnson

Dani AI

Generated

Quick, practical plan for the Z605 on Windows 7 (summary and steps)

: the Z605 is a discontinued Lexmark model, but Lexmark published a Z500–Z600 Vista driver package (separate 32‑ and 64‑bit builds) that many people have used successfully on Windows 7. See the Lexmark product page and the Vista driver package listing.

Safe install workflow (most reliable path)

  1. Disconnect the printer and remove any partially installed queues. In Devices and Printers right‑click → Remove device.
  2. Clean the old driver package: open Print Server Properties → Drivers tab → select the Lexmark Z500/Z600 driver → Remove → choose “Remove driver and driver package.” If Windows says the driver is in use, stop/restart the Print Spooler or reboot first. (Vendor docs show the exact steps.)
  3. Reboot.
  4. Download the correct Lexmark Vista package for your OS (32 vs 64 bit) and run the installer as Administrator. If the installer fails, run it in Compatibility mode or use the Program Compatibility troubleshooter. If that still fails, extract the driver files and install via Device Manager (“Have Disk”) or Add Printer → Add Local Printer → use the extracted .inf. ()

If the Vista package won’t work or you prefer a single-driver approach

  • Try Lexmark’s Universal Print Driver (UPD) for Windows 7 — it supports many Lexmark devices and can be a fallback for older hardware. (lexmark.com)

Quick troubleshooting checklist before giving up

  • Try a different USB cable/port and another PC to confirm the printer hardware is OK.
  • Make sure Windows has no pending print jobs, and the spooler service is running.
  • If you still get “not communicating,” try the installer for the opposite architecture (some users found the x64 package worked where x86 didn’t) or use the “Have Disk” method after extracting the setup.

Notes for (Office / missing .dll in Outlook)

  • A third‑party printer/scan add‑in can cause Outlook DLL errors. Test Outlook in Safe Mode (run outlook.exe /safe) and disable COM add‑ins via File → Options → Add‑Ins → Manage COM Add‑ins → Go. If add‑ins aren’t the cause, run an Office repair from Programs and Features (Quick Repair or Online Repair). (howtogeek.com)

Useful official pages

Avoid reformatting Windows as a first step — do the clean‑uninstall / Vista‑driver install above first; that solves the Z600/Z500 family in most cases.

Member Avatar for Rikker

Just communicated with Lexmark. I'm out of luck until they update their drivers. You would've thought companies would have planned ahead in preparation for the release of Windows 7. I guess I'll check on Epson printers.

Member Avatar for rittenrv

Hello I am new to the forum also. I have a similiar problem with the same make. I am running XP. I keep getting a missing .dll error. The error only occurs in Office: Outlook. I also contacted Lexmark. They said it was a microsoft office issue. Any Ideas anyone.

I keep getting "not communicating with printer message". Lexmark support hasn't been helpful. I do not have the initial disk. I've unplugged, disconnected, uninstalled, etc, and nothing seems to be helping. Any suggestions?

Rikker

Member Avatar for merryjohnson

While installing the printer have you checked the compatibility of the printer with your computer. If it is supported, than try to format your computer and than re-installing the printer driver. Also check for your in the printer that they are properly in place. After that you will be able to work with your printer. If still you are not able to work than try installing it on some other computer.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.