How to fix XPS printer error 1168: Element not found

Several users have been reporting on the official Microsoft forums that they are having issues with the XPS printer:

I was unable to print from software using the XPS writer.  I attempted to reinstall the printer but the installation fails reporting “printer driver not installed.  Element not found”

Apparently, they are getting an error 1168: Element not found can have a wide variety of causes.

This article will guide you step-by-step on how to fix this error with the XPS printer.

How do you fix a generic error 1168?

1. Update your drivers

1. Click on the Start button, then go to Settings
2. Select Update & Security
3. Click on Check for updates
4. Allow Windows Update to download and install the updated driver

Follow these steps to install the latest printer drivers using Windows Update.

Alternatively, you can use a professional third-party tool that performs this process automatically and aims to keep your printer drivers updated and healthy.

More so, by choosing this automated method of managing drivers you also stay secure from potential damages caused by devices incompatibility.

Thus if you need reliable support to install or update any driver, the following software will accomplish this mission with no exception.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Try reinstalling the Windows XPS feature

1. Press Windows
2. Click on Settings (the cogwheel-shaped button)
3. Select Apps
4. Go to Apps & features
5. Click Optional features
6. Look for XPS feature if it is present
7. If it is, right-click it and select uninstall
8. Restart your PC
9. After the restart or if your PC didn’t have the feature, go to the Manage optional features screen, and select Add a new feature
10. When on the Add a new feature screen, select the XPS Viewer
11. Restart your PC

3. Manually search for the location of your XPS Writer

Depending on which version of Windows 10 you have installed, the location of the XPS Writer may vary.

As such, if the solution listed above didn’t work, try this:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type in control.exe
3. Click Programs
4. Select Programs and Features
5. Click Turn Windows features on or off
6. See if XPS Services and XPS Viewer are listed
   • If the services are marked in their checkbox, unmark them and restart the PC
   • If the services are unmarked in their checkbox, mark them and restart the PC
7. Press Windows + R
8. Type in control.exe
9. Go to Hardware and Sound 
10. Click Devices and Printers
11. See if Microsoft XPS Document Writer is installed as a printer.
12. If it is, right-click it and choose Remove device
13. Restart your PC
14. Go back to Devices and Printers and select Add a printer
15. Select The printer that I want isn’t listed
16. Click Add a local printer or network printer with manual setting
17. In the Choose a printer port screen, select Use an existing port and PORTPROMPT: (Local Port)
18. In the Install a printer driver screen, select Microsoft on the left pane and Microsoft XPS Document Writer on the right
19. When asked Which version of the driver do you want to use? select Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended)

If these particular steps didn’t help, you could also try to:

• Uninstall Recent Windows Updates
• Reset Your PC