Dell Photo AIO Printer 966 Won't Print After Upgrade to Windows 7

Michael786,

Start control panel, printers, right click on the Dell 966 printer, left click properties. Click on ports. Enable biodirectional there.

By chance, did Dell have you install the Vista drivers in the Compatibility mode?

Rick

Dear Rick:

Many thanks!  The printer works now. In answer to your question, Dell first removed the Vista Printer Driver software and then loaded the Windows 7 driver via remote control of my computer.   Not sure what you mean by compatiblity mode.  I should also mention that Symantec had to remove Norton 360 and reinstall it after I upgraded from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7.  The Dell rep also mentioned they were very busy creating drivers for Windows 7 for all the various devices.

Michael

I have the same problem with my Dell 966 All in one printer following upgrade to Windows 7. I have unstalled and reinstalled the drivers for Windows 7 and my printer but keep getting the message Communication not available "Enable Bidirectional COmmunication'. I tried your earlier solution but when I click in printer and then properties i do not get a port tab - onle a general and hardware tab. Can you help - going mad!

Gerry

Gerry,

Below is the basic installation procedure for this printer. You need to disconnect your printer from your computer. Run the patch, it might or might not work. Also try Manual Printer Driver Removal, then restart your computer. Install the Vista drivers in the Vista SP2 compatibility mode. 

Please follow the instructions below and then tell me what happens.

First, let's make sure your computer has the latest Windows Updates, especially .net framework, needed to run many applications and the latest Java.

I recommend that you use these Recommended Wireless Router Settings for the best communications.

Disconnect your printer. Download and run this patch to completely remove the printer from your computer. Run the patch, a MUST on Vista machines, until it prompts you to restart your computer.

Restart your computer.

Download the proper drivers.

XP Drivers

Vista 32-bit Drivers 

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

64-bit Drivers 

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

All other drivers

Right click on the setup.exe file, left click properties, left click compatibility. Change the compatibility to Vista. Then install the proper drivers. You'll be prompted when to connect the printer(powered on)

***To install drivers, sometimes the file unzips and does nothing. You have to look for the setup.exe file, right click on it, then left click run as administrator***

As for scanning, if you have the disk that came with the printer, then insert the Printer disk and stop it from running. Go to My Computer and double click on it. Look for the drive with the Dell disk in it. Right click on it, left click explore. Look for the OCR Folder. In the OCR Folder, there is an Abbyy Folder. right click on setup.exe, that's in the Abbyy Folder and left click run as administrator. This will install the OCR program.

You may also need to read this,  

How Do I Connect a Dell™ Wireless Printer to a Wireless Network

Choose your printer. Beneath your printer, select your operating system. You'll be redirected to another page. Then click on show all steps. It will walk you through the installation process.

Let me know what happens and how you're connected.

Rick

No need to go to the step below.  There are two properties tabs. Click on the "Printer Properties", not the "Properties" selection. The first one is where the 'Enable Bidirectional Communication" choice is at bottom after you click on the Port tab.   Check that box and apply.   

I am also having trouble getting my Dell 966 AIO to print after upgrading to Windows 7.  I do not get any output at all from the printer, which I know is functioning fine.  I tried reloading the Windows 7 driver from the Dell web site a few days ago, but it appears to be the same driver as for Windows Vista.  Am I doing something wrong?  Please help.

Thanks,     Bruce

I have done absolutely EVERYTHING stated in this thread MULTIPLE times and I CONTINUE to get the SAME problems. It keeps telling me to give an output file name and then says an unknown error occurs when I try printing from the web, and then it continually gives me the enable biodirectional port error when I print from a file. I have enabled it over and over and over again, I click apply and then OK and it NEVER EVER saves. This is really getting ridiculous. What the heck am I supposed to do?

I have also followed the listed steps and get an error:

Instgui Error

    Could not start printing.

Did you ever get this fixed?  I am getting the same problem.  I understand why you're shouting!  

I too am getting the same problem........sned help! lol

I went into my firewall settings and turned off my firewall and enable bidirectional communication and it worked.  I am not sure if this is what finally fixed it I tried so many things!  But it is working now.  I turned the firewall back on and it is still working.  Try it!