How to change LAN Manager Authentication Level in Windows 11/10

LAN Manager Authentication Level lets you set the authentication protocol for network logons. It is possible to change the LAN Manager authentication level using the Local Group Policy Editor and the Registry Editor. If you are using Windows 11/10 Home version, you can use the REGEDIT method. Otherwise, either method does the same job.

When you connect your computer to a network printer or any other computer in the same network, it requires an authentication protocol for the network logons. It is there to establish a link between your host computer and the network computer or any other device. There are six different authentication levels you can choose, and they are:

Send LM & NTLM responses
Send LM & NTLM – use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated
Send NTLM responses only
Send NTLMv2 responses only
Send NTLMv2 responses only. Refuse LM
Send NTLMv2 responses only. Refuse LM & NTLM

Now, let’s say you want to connect to a network printer, but you are ending up getting an error message saying Windows cannot connect to the printer. At such a moment, changing the LAN Manager authentication level may solve the issue.

Change LAN Manager Authentication Level

It is possible to change the LAN Manager authentication level using the Local Group Policy Editor and the Registry Editor. If you are using Windows 11/10 Home version, you can use the REGEDIT method. Otherwise, either method does the same job.

Using Local Group Policy Editor

Search for gpedit.msc in the Taskbar search box, and click on the result to open the Local Group Policy Editor on your computer. Next, follow this path-

Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options

Double-click on the Network security: LAN Manager authentication level policy on your right-hand side and choose the Send LM & NTLM – use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated or any other required option from the drop-down list.

Click on the OK button to save the change.

Then, restart your computer and check if you can use your network printer or not.

Using Registry Editor

Search for registry editor in the Taskbar search box, click on the search result, and select the Yes option to open the Registry Editor on your computer.

Then, follow this path-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa

Here you have to create a REG_DWORD value. To do so, right-click on the Lsa key, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it LmCompatibilityLevel.