how to fix printer spooler error in windows xp

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Computer Peripherals

4 Easy Ways to Fix a Print Spooler Error

Last Updated: September 18, 2023 Tested

Reset Print Spooler
Print Spooler Settings
Update Drivers

If Print Spooler is Missing

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA . Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 1,463,177 times. Learn more...

Have you run into an error that says "Printer Spooler error" or "The local print spooler service is not running?" on your Windows PC? The print spooler helps Windows interact with the printer and orders the print jobs in your queue. If you see any error message about the print spooler, this tool has been corrupted or is failing to interact correctly with other software. This wikiHow article will teach you how to troubleshoot and fix your print spooler on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Things You Should Know

Most errors can be fixed using the Printer troubleshooter or resetting the spooler.
You can stop, restart, or modify your Print Spooler settings by opening Services.msc and double-clicking "Print Spooler."
If you continue having problems, uninstall your printer, run the manufacturer's software installer, and re-add the printer.

Clearing & Resetting the Print Spooler

Windows 11: Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and click Run next to "Printer." Follow the on-screen instructions.
Windows 10: Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot , select Printer , and follow the on-screen instructions. [1] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source

If you don't see Print Spooler in services.msc, see this troubleshooting method .

If the service was already stopped, click Start to see if that fixes your problem.
Don't close this window since you'll need to start this service later.

Press Windows key + S to activate search.
Type or paste %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers into the search bar.
Click %WINDIR%\system32\spool\PRINTERS in the search results. [2] X Research source

This will remove all current print jobs, so make sure no one on your network is using the printer.

Next to "Startup type," you should see "Automatic." If you see a different option, click the menu, select Automatic now, and save your changes. The print spooler will now launch automatically in the future.

Changing Print Spooler Properties

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialogue.
Type services.msc and press Enter .
Double-click "Print Spooler" in the Services window.

First failure: Restart the Service
Second failure: Restart the Service
Subsequent failures: Take No Action
Reset fail count after: 1 days
Restart service after: 1 minutes
When you're finished, click Apply .

Image titled Fix a Print Spooler Step 12

Return to the Services window. If you closed it, open it again as described in the first step of this method.
Find the name of one of the services you saw in the upper Dependencies pane, listed under the Name column.
Confirm that the word "Started" is in the Status column for that file.
Confirm that the word "Automatic" is in the Startup Type column for that file.
If one of the services you looked up does not have these values, Stop and Start that service. You can do this with the icons in the Services window or by double-clicking the service name and using the buttons in its Properties window.
If the Stop and Start icons are greyed out, or if stopping and starting does not change the values to "Started" and "Automatic," try reinstalling the drivers as described.

Updating Printer Drivers and Software

Image titled Fix a Print Spooler Step 15

To update, go to Settings > Windows Update (Windows 11) or Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (Windows 10) and click Check for updates .
If Windows Update couldn't update your printer driver automatically, View optional updates , click Driver updates , and look for your printer's drivers. If you see them, click Download and install.

Press Windows key + S to activate search, then type printers .
Click Printers & scanners .
Select your printer and click Remove device . Leave this window open for now, as you'll need to return here soon.

Image titled Fix a Print Spooler Step 17

Return to Printers & Scanners .
Scroll down and click Print server properties .
On the driver's tab, look for your printer. If you see it, you don't need to do anything more.
If you don't see your printer, click Add , click Next , select your computer's architecture , and then choose your printer.
Click Next , Finish , and then follow the on-screen instructions to install your printer.

Image titled Fix a Print Spooler Step 18

To open Command Prompt as an administrator , type cmd into the Windows Search bar, right-click "Command Prompt," and then select Run as administrator .

Image titled Fix a Print Spooler Step 20

On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery . On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System Recovery .
Click Reset this PC (Windows 10) or Reset PC (Windows 11).
Click Keep my files and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once your PC is reset, the files that control the Print Spooler will be reinstalled, and you'll find Print Spooler in your services panel.

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Video . by using this service, some information may be shared with youtube..

Fix an Old or Clogged Ink Cartridge the Cheap Way

↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-a-fix-it-tool-with-windows-10-cc3cb85b-91d7-7e56-8ce1-db50b4d18d0b
↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/printing/third-party-print-driver-print-spooler-error
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-download-and-install-the-latest-printer-drivers-4ff66446-a2ab-b77f-46f4-a6d3fe4bf661
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/recovery-options-in-windows-31ce2444-7de3-818c-d626-e3b5a3024da5

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how to fix printer spooler error in windows xp

Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows

If you’re trying to use your printer and run into problems, here are some steps for common printer problems to try to get things working again.

Before you begin

Start by running the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Get Help automatically runs diagnostics and takes the correct steps to fix most printer issues.

Open Get Help

If the Get Help app is unable to resolve your printer issue, try the possible solutions listed:

Step 1. Unplug and restart your printer

Sometimes power cycling your printer can resolve the issue. Turn off your printer and unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug your printer back in, and then turn the printer back on.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue to step 2.

Step 2. Check cables or wireless connection

Check the cables (for wired printers). Make sure that the printer's USB cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC. If your USB isn’t recognized, see Automatically diagnose and fix Windows USB problems .

Check the wireless connection (for wireless printers) . Do one of the following:

Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when a wireless connection option for the printer is available. To learn where this button is located on your printer and to find instructions about how to turn it on, see the instructions that came with the printer or check the manufacturer's website for instructions.

Run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Many printers have a menu option to test the printer’s wireless connectivity. Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this.

If those check out and you’re still having problems, your PC may not be connecting to your wireless network. To learn more, see Why can't I get online? For more advanced help, see Fix network connection issues in Windows .

If you're having trouble connecting to a Bluetooth printer, see Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows .

If you use wireless access points, extenders, or multiple wireless routers with separate SSIDs, make sure you're connected to the same network as the printer for your PC.

If your printer's status displays "Printer in error state," there may be a problem with the printer itself. If these first two steps did not resolve the error, check the printer for low paper or ink, and be sure the cover isn't open and the paper isn't jammed.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue to step 3.

Step 3. Uninstall and reinstall your printer

Try removing and reinstalling the printer.

Remove your printer

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners . Open Printers & scanners settings

Select the printer you want to uninstall.

Select the Remove button. Then confirm you're sure you want to remove this device by selecting Yes .

Reinstall your printer

If your printer is turned on and connected to the network, Windows should find it easily. Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers, or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers. To reinstall your printer, follow these steps:

Make sure your printer is turned on and connected. Then select the Add device (or Refresh ) button.

Please wait a moment while Windows searches for the printers that are connected to the device (locally or wirelessly). Windows will then display a list of printers connected to your device. If you see your printer listed, select the Add device button for your printer. If you don't see your device listed, select Add manually .

If you use wireless access points, extenders, or multiple wireless routers with separate SSIDs, make sure you're connected to the same network as the printer for your PC to find and install it.

If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer and check the printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.

Tip: You can print a test page to make sure the printer is working correctly. If you've installed the printer but it doesn't work, check the manufacturer's website for troubleshooting information or driver updates.

Reinstall your printer manually

If the system cannot install the printer automatically, you can reinstall it manually. When you select Add manually , you will then see five options to Find a printer by other options . Select the option that applies best for your situation and then follow the steps provided. All of the options can apply for a printer that is connected wirelessly or through your network. However, if your printer is connected directly to your computer locally, select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings and then select Next .

Reinstall a local printer manually

After selecting Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings , follow these steps:

Select Use an existing port and then select the port the printer is connected to. Then select Next. If the printer is connected via USB, select it from the list. There are also options for parallel (LPT) and serial (COM) ports.

You will now see options to install the printer driver. If the printer came with a disc that includes the driver, select Have Disk . Otherwise, select Windows Update .

Please wait while Windows updates the list of printers. Then select the printer manufacturer from the left column, and the printer model from the right column. Then select Next .

Note: If there are multiple versions of a driver for your device, you might be asked which version of the driver to use. In most cases, you should select Replace the current driver . However, if you're confident the installed driver is correct, select Use the driver that is currently installed .

Type a name for your printer, and then select Next . This name is only for your personal reference, so you can choose any name you prefer.

Select Do not share this printer. (If you want to share your printer with other devices on your network, select Share this printer and enter the name and location.) Select Next .

Select Print a test page to confirm that the printer is working and then select Finish .

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue to step 4.

Step 4. Install the latest driver for your printer

Most printers require the latest driver to work well. To learn more, read How to download and install the latest printer drivers .

If your printer still doesn’t work after you install the latest driver for your printer, continue to step 5.

Step 5. Clear and reset the print spooler

If the previous troubleshooting step is not successful, you may need to clear spooler files and restart the spooler service. The print spooler is a file that manages the printing process. To clear and reset the print spooler:

In the search box on the taskbar, type services , and then select Services in the list of results.

Select the Standards tab, and then double-click Print Spooler in the list of services.

Select Stop , and then select OK .

In the search box on the taskbar, enter %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers , select %WINDIR%\system32\spool\PRINTERS in the list of results, and then delete all files in the folder.

In the search box on the taskbar, search for services , and then select Services in the list of results.

Select the Standards tab, and the double-click Print Spooler in the list of services.

Select Start , select Automatic in the Startup Type box, and then select OK .

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue on to step 6.

Step 6. Change a printer's status to "online"

If your printer displays an "offline" status, check out Troubleshooting offline printer problems .

If you need help installing your printer in Windows 10, see Install a printer in Windows 10 .

If your PC is running Windows 10 S, some printers might not work with it, or they might have limited functionality. For more info, see Device support on Windows 10 S .

If a USB printer port is missing, see USB printer port missing after disconnecting printer while Windows 10 (version 1903 or later) is shut down .

If you're looking for help with a scanner, see Install and use a scanner in Windows 10 .

If you're having trouble connecting to a Bluetooth printer, see Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows 10: FAQ .

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners . Open Printers & scanners settings

Under Printers & scanners , find the printer, select it, and then select Remove device .

You'll need to follow different steps to reinstall or add a wireless or local printer. Here's how.

Reinstall a wireless printer

Select Add a printer or scanner . Wait for your device to find nearby printers, choose the one you want, and then select Add device .

Reinstall a local printer

If you want to reinstall or add a local printer, plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and then turn on the printer.

Under Printers & scanners , look for your printer.

If you see your printer listed, you'll know it's installed.

If you don't see your printer listed, select Add a printer or scanner . Wait for your device to find available printers, choose the one you want, and then select Add device .

Tip: You can confirm the printer is working by printing a test page. If you've installed the printer but it doesn't work, check the manufacturer's website for troubleshooting information or driver updates.

Connecting your printer

When you connect a printer to your PC or add a new printer to your home network, you can usually start printing right away. Windows supports most printers, and you probably won't have to go out of your way to install special printer software. If you're using Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, additional printer support and drivers are available through Windows Update.

To install a printer

In most cases, all you have to do to set up a printer is to connect it to your PC. Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and turn the printer on.

For wireless printers with Windows 8.1:

Note: If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer to learn how to add it. Check the printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings , and then tap Change PC settings . (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, select Settings , and then select Change PC settings .)

Tap or click PC and devices , and then tap or click Devices . If your printer is installed, it should appear under Printers .

If your printer isn’t listed, tap or click Add a device , and then select your printer to install it.

To install (add) a local printer

Click the Start button, and then, on the Start menu, click Devices and Printers .

Click Add a printer .

In the Add Printer wizard, click Add a local printer .

On the Choose a printer port page, make sure that the Use an existing port button and the recommended printer port are selected, and then click Next .

On the Install the printer driver page, select the printer manufacturer and model, and then click Next .

If your printer isn't listed, click Windows Update , and then wait while Windows checks for additional drivers.

If none are available and you have the installation CD, click Have Disk , and then browse to the folder where the printer driver is located. (For additional help, consult the printer manual.)

Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish .

To install a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer

If you're trying to add a network printer at the office, you'll usually need the name of the printer. If you can't find it, contact your network administrator.

Click the Start button, and then, on the Start menu, click Devices and Printers .

In the Add Printer wizard, click Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer .

In the list of available printers, select the one you want to use, and then click Next . (If your computer is connected to a network, only printers listed in Active Directory for your domain are displayed in the list.)

Tip: Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers. You can confirm the printer is working by printing a test page.

Note: After your printer is installed, you can keep it up to date with automatic Windows 7 driver updates.

Troubleshoot printer problems

Start by checking your hardware.

Make sure that the printer's electrical cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power switch is turned on. If you're printing to a shared printer or a printer on a network, make sure that all necessary computers and routers are turned on too. If your printer or other equipment is plugged in to a surge protector or a backup power supply, make sure that hardware is plugged in and turned on as well.

If you’re using a wired printer, make sure that the printer cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC.

For wireless printers, check the wireless connection. Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when wireless is available.

Next, run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this.

If your printer's status displays "Printer in error state," there may be a problem with the printer itself. If the previous steps did not resolve the error, check the printer for low paper or ink, and be sure the cover isn't open and the paper isn't jammed.

Use a troubleshooter

A troubleshooter is an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your PC. The printing troubleshooter can fix problems with installing and connecting to a printer.

Update drivers

Most printers require driver software to work properly. If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current printer driver is for the previous version of Windows. If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the drivers have become damaged. Downloading and installing the latest driver for your printer can resolve these types of problems.

Three ways to find and install a driver:

Use Windows Update. Windows Update might have an updated version of your printer driver.

Install software from the printer manufacturer. If your printer came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the printer.

Download and install the driver yourself . You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with software that installs a driver.

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020. Technical assistance and software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PC are no longer available for Windows 7. Microsoft strongly recommends that you move to Windows 11.

Click here to get more info and learn what it means for you.

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You experience Print Spooler error messages after you install or upgrade a Third-Party print driver

3 contributors

This article provides a solution to fix Print Spooler errors that occurs after you install or upgrade a Third-Party print driver.

Applies to: Windows 10 - all editions, Windows Server 2012 R2 Original KB number: 2793718

You may experience any of the following symptoms on your Windows-based client computer:

During the install or upgrade of a third-party print driver, you may receive the following error messages:

Operation failed with error 0x00000057
Printer driver was not installed. Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000057)
Operation failed with error 0x000005b3
Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000bc4). No printers were found.
Windows cannot connect to the printer. Operation could not be completed (error 0x00000002)

When you try to start or stop the Print Spooler service, you may receive the following error message:

Spooler subsystem app has encountered a problem and needs to close

When you click Start , and then click Printers and Faxes in Windows XP, or Devices and Printers in Windows Vista or later, you may receive the following error message:

Spooler subsystem app has encountered an error and needs to close

When you click Start , and then click Printers and Faxes in Windows XP, or Devices and Printers in Windows Vista or later to try to view your printers, no printers appear. This issue may occur even if you have printers installed.

These issues may occur if a third-party printer driver or service affects the functionality of an existing or newly installed printer.

To clear and reset the print spooler, follow these steps:

In the search box on the taskbar, type services , and then select Services in the list of results.
Select the Standards tab, and then double-click Print Spooler in the list of services.
Select Stop , and then select OK .
In the search box on the taskbar, enter %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers , select %WINDIR%\system32\spool\PRINTERS in the list of results, and then delete all files in the folder.
In the search box on the taskbar, search for services, and then select Services in the list of results.
Select the Standards tab, and the double-click Print Spooler in the list of services.
Select Start , select Automatic in the Startup Type box, and then select OK .

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If you need assistance from Microsoft support, we recommend you collect the information by following the steps mentioned in Gather information by using TSS for User Experience issues .

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How to Fix Printer Spooler Errors in Windows 10

Many things can cause these errors, including settings and driver issues

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Print spooler errors can occur in Windows 10, regardless of the application you're printing from, and may appear in many ways:

Print spooler keeps stopping
Printing service stops running
Print jobs get hung up in the print queue
Deleted Print jobs don't disappear
The printer doesn't work at all

These issues usually appear just after you try to send the print job to the printer and then realize the printer isn't responding. Figuring out printer spooler errors is a smaller subset of printer troubleshooting .

These print spool errors may occur on Windows 10, 8, 7, & Vista. The solutions below should work for all of these versions of Windows. We have separate instructions for Windows 11 .

Cause of Print Spooler Errors in Windows 10

Several issues can cause print spooler errors, including print spooler settings, one failed print job, other non-working printers, and printer driver issues.

It's good practice to start with the more straightforward, more common causes and work your way toward the most complicated ones to isolate the cause.

How to Fix Print Spooler Errors in Windows 10, 8, 7 & Vista

It's best to start with the automatic printer troubleshooter and then systematically work through the printing process on the computer to isolate and fix the cause of print spooler errors

Run the printer troubleshooter. You'll find this if you search for Troubleshooting Settings and selecting Additional troubleshooters . It will walk you through a wizard that may potentially isolate and fix the print spooler error.

If you see an actual error code from your print spooler, make sure to look up what that specific error code means . The error code can explain what the issue is and let you skip to the appropriate step below to fix it.

Stopping and restarting the print spooler typically resolves many printing issues or print jobs stuck in the print spooler. Try this before moving on to any of the more complicated steps below. You can use the Net command at the command prompt to stop and start drivers. To do this, navigate in the command prompt to C:\Windows\System32 and use the commands net stop spooler followed by net start spooler .

Set the Print Spooler service to Automatic. The Print Spooler service is a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service , which you can find by running services.msc . You'll see the "Print Spooler" service in the process list. Make sure to set it to Automatic rather than Manual.

Clear the Printer Queue . If the issue causing the print spooler to fail is a stuck print job, you may need to cancel it and clear the printer queue. You can stop the print spooler service using the net command before clearing the queue. You can also manually delete print spooler files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS or C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS (depending on your operating system).

Remove all printers and install only the ones you use . Having a clutter of old printers installed on your computer can sometimes cause print spooler conflicts and other issues. It also makes it confusing to know which is the correct printer to select. You can do this in Windows Settings by selecting Devices > Printers & Scanners .

Update or reinstall printer drivers . Many times, print spooler issues are caused by missing or corrupt driver files . First, try updating your existing printer drivers . If that doesn't work, then download the latest printer drivers from the manufacturer's website and install those latest drivers .

If you're using an older printer (and older printer drivers), those drivers may not be compatible with Windows 10. In this case, you'll need to run the drivers using Windows Compatibility mode .

Reset print spooler registry keys. The registry contains important information to make the print spooler connect to your printer properly. By deleting old information there, it can reset the spooler and fix any issues. To do this, first back up the existing registry , and then open the registry and delete all folders inside the following registry directory except for the winprint entry. Use //HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Print/Environments/Windows NT x86/Print Processors/ for 32 bit Windows or //HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Print/Environments/Windows NT x64/Print Processors/ for 64 bit Windows.

If you're still having problems with print spooler errors, try installing the latest Windows Updates and performing a scan with your antivirus software to clean out any malware or virus infections that may be causing issues with the print spooler.

Android phones have a print function, but you might see a printer spooler error when the system process fails. To fix it, reset and clear the Android OS Print Spooler cache. Go to Settings > Apps > Show System Apps > Print Spooler > Clear Cache and Data .

To resolve this specific error, you must resolve the dependency for the spooler service. Open an elevated Command Prompt (run Command Prompt as administrator) and enter this command: SC CONFIG SPOOLER DEPEND= RPCSS . When you exit the Command Prompt window, the spooler should start properly.

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FIX: Spoolsv.exe error and other Printing problems.

This tutorial contains instructions on how to fix the "spoolsv.exe" printing error and other printing problems in Windows in three (3) simple steps. Sometimes when you try to print in Windows, you may experience one of the following printing problems:

After clicking the "Print" button to print a document, nothing happens (Printer not print)
The print queue displays the print job(s), but nothing is printed.
The printer does not print from any program.
Printers are missing in "Devices & Printers" options in Control Panel.
You receive the "spoolsv.exe" printing error, when you try to print:

"Spoolsv.exe – Application Error. The instruction at "0x77fcc2c0" referenced memory at "0x00000000. The memory could not be written."

Fix Spoolsv.exe error and other Printing problems.

Usually the most printing problems are caused when the 'Print Spooler' service (spoolsv.exe), is not working properly due to corrupted print jobs. In these cases, the most effective solution to solve the printing problem is to remove all print jobs from the printer queue by following the steps below.

How to QUICK FIX Most Common Printing Problems in 3 Easy Steps. *

* Note: The instructions below, applies to all Windows Operating Systems (Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista & Windows XP).

Step 1. Stop Print Spooler Service.

3. At the right pane, right click on Print Spooler service and click Stop.

4. Don't close the 'Services' window and continue to next step.

Step 2. Delete Printer Queue Jobs.

Now proceed and clear the print queue by deleting the printer jobs:

%systemroot%\System32\Spool\Printers

3. Press CTR L + A to select all SHD & SPL files and the press the Delete button to delete all of them.

4. Close the Explorer window and proceed to the last step to start the Print Spooler service.

Step 3. Start Print Spooler service.

1. In Services window, right-cli ck at Print Spooler service and click Start.

2. Close the Services window and try to print. Normally, printing will now be done without any problems. *

* Note : If you still cannot print, proceed and re-install the printer drivers on your PC.

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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16 comments.

a May 14, 2017 @ 11:50 pm

Thank youuuuuu. You are genius!!!

a May 14, 2017 @ 11:49 pm

Thank you for the help. U are genius!!!

sam June 19, 2016 @ 12:28 pm

That was it! thanks.

sanjeet March 6, 2016 @ 11:48 am

thanks for help

prashant May 19, 2015 @ 8:50 am

thank u sir my Problem solve …….

ilias January 7, 2015 @ 10:08 am

That worked for me ….thank you !!!

settu November 12, 2014 @ 1:27 pm

not solve this problem

listiyo July 24, 2014 @ 5:48 am

Thanks A lot, its really very helpful

Gaurav Gosavi Nimgul July 18, 2014 @ 1:53 pm

Thamks For Help

sunju July 14, 2014 @ 1:03 pm

thanks its really very helpful

Naresh July 4, 2014 @ 11:26 am

nice solution

Kuroto June 17, 2014 @ 10:52 am

Really nice solution! Thanks a lot!

Makarand Umrane February 1, 2014 @ 1:11 pm

Thanks for help, really it's very very helpful activity.

sherkhanRohit January 30, 2014 @ 2:22 pm

Great Article… Thank you very much .. worked for me

Ulf December 17, 2013 @ 3:00 pm

thank you, finally I can print again

MRASHID June 30, 2013 @ 7:12 am

thnx for help, really it's very very helpful

How to Start the Printer Spooler Services in Epson

Epson is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality inkjet printers. When you send a document from a PC computer to an Epson printer, the file is processed through the printer spooler service, which converts the data into a format that the printer can understand. If you are experiencing problems printing files to your Epson printer, you may need to manually start the printer spooler service.

Log on to your PC computer with an account that has administrative privileges. Only administrators can start or stop system services.

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Open the "Start" menu and click on the "Control Panel" icon.

Open the "Administrative Tools" folder and then double-click on "Services." A window will open with a list of all your computer's available system services.

Scroll through the list until you see an entry labeled "Print Spooler."

Click anywhere on the "Print Spooler" entry to highlight it.

Hit the "Start the Service" link in the upper-left corner of the window to manually start the Epson printer spooler service. If the service is already running, try using the "Restart the Service" link.

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How to fix printer spooler problems on Windows 10

When your printer refuses to print, it could be a problem preventing the print spooler from running correctly — here's how to fix the problem.

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UPDATED 4/10/2023: On Windows 10 , trying to print and getting the document stuck in the queue can be frustrating. Also, if you try to cancel the job, it could stay stuck deleting forever.

Although there could be many reasons you cannot print, including connection problems or physical issues with the printer, it’s usually an issue with the Windows 10 “print spooler.” This service spools print jobs and handles the interactions with the printer, and sometimes it will stop working, even after restarting your device and printer.

If you experience this problem, you can fix this printer issue by resetting the print spooler on the computer using the Services console or Command Prompt .

This guide will teach you how to fix the print spooler on Windows 10 to fix a printer. (See also this video tutorial to complete this task.)

Fix print spooler from Services

Fix print spooler from command prompt.

To fix the print spooler service to continue printing on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Start on Windows 10.

Search for services.msc and click the top result to open the Services console.

Right-click the Print Spooler service and select the Properties option.

Print Spooler in Services console for Windows 10

Click the General tab.

Click the Stop button.

Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.

Type the following path to the printers folder and press Enter :

C:\Windows\System32\spool\printers

Click the Continue button (if applicable).

Select everything in the “ printers” folder ( “Ctrl + A” ) and hit the Delete button to remove the contents.

On the “Printer Spooler Properties” page, click the General tab.

Click the Start button to restart the service.

Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you can try to print a document one more time, and the printer should work as expected.

To fix print spooler problems from Command Prompt, use these steps:

Open Start .

Search for Command Prompt , right-click the top result, and select the Run as Administrator option.

Type the following commands (one line at a time) to stop the print spooler, delete the printers folder content, restart the printer spooler, and press Enter :

After you complete the steps, you should be able to send a print job to the printer, and this time the printer should work.

While this guide focuses on Windows 10, the ability to reset the “Print Spooler” has been around for a long time, so you should be able to use the same steps on Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and older versions.

Update April 4, 2023: This guide has been revised to ensure that the steps are still accurate.

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How to Fix “The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running” Error in Windows

Printers give people enough problems without their software issues on top of that. Here's how to fix a print spooler error in Windows.

The Print Spooler is a little application built into your operating system. It allows you to send multiple print jobs to a queue without waiting for the initial print job to complete. If the print spooler service stops working, you’ll encounter the print spooler service is not running error on Windows.

It is a common error associated with print jobs. However, the reasons for the error can vary. You may encounter this error when setting up a new printer, after installing an update, or upgrading your router. In any case, here are a few troubleshooting steps to help you resolve this error in Windows.

How "The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running” Error Message Appears

Here are the different types of print spooler errors you can encounter:

"Windows cannot connect to the printer. The local print spooler service is not running."
"Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running."

Whichever error you encounter, the solutions for fixing them are the same.

1. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

The built-in Printer troubleshooter in Windows 10 and 11 lets you find and fix printing problems . The troubleshooter scans the system for common print problems and automatically resolves them. It can check and restart the print spooler service if stopped.

Press Win + I to open Settings .
Open the System tab in the left pane.
Next, click on Other troubleshooters.
Select the printer you want to troubleshoot and click Next .
Wait for the scan to complete and check if it finds any problem. Then, apply the recommended fixes if available.

2. Restart Print Spooler Service

You can check and rerun the print spooler service in the Services snap-in to fix the print spooler service is not running error. Here's how to do it:

Press the Win key and type services .
Click on Services to open the snap-in.
Next, locate the Print Spooler service from the list of services.
Right-click on the service, select Restart and wait for the process to complete.
Give a new print job and check if the error is resolved.

3. Set the Print Spooler Service Startup Type to Automatic

By default, the print spooler service is set to start automatically when the system reboots. However, if you have set it to start manually, the service can stop working. You can change the startup type for the print spooler service using the Services snap-in.

To change startup type for print spooler service:

Press Win + R to open Run .
Type services.msc and click OK to open the Services snap-in.
Right-click on Print Spooler and select Properties .
Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
If it is already set to Automatic , then select Disabled . Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Now open the Print Spooler service properties and set the Startup type to Automatic .
Click OK and Apply to save the changes.
Close the Services snap-in and restart your PC. Next, create a print job and check if the error printer spooler service is not running is resolved.

4. Clear the Print Spooler Files

Too many pending or corrupted print jobs can trigger the print spooler service not running error. To resolve this, you can delete the print spooler files manually and restart the service. Here’s how to do it.

Type services.msc and click OK .
Locate and select the Print Spooler service in the Services snap-in.
Next, press Win + E to open File Explorer.
Navigate to the following location. You can copy and paste the following path in the File Explorer address bar for quick navigation: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
Select and right-click on the Print Spooler service and select Start .

Now create a new print job and check if the error is resolved. If not, disconnect and reconnect the printer to see if that helps.

5. Check Windows Defender Firewall

If your printer is connected to a network, it is possible that Windows Defender Firewall is preventing the connection resulting in the error. You can confirm this case by temporarily disabling Windows Defender Firewall and creating a new print job.

To disable Windows Defender Firewall:

Open the Privacy & security tab in the left pane.
Finally, click on Open Windows Security.
Click on your currently active network (Public / Private).
With the Firewall disabled, create a new print job, and see if it completes successfully.
Once done, enable the Windows Defender Firewall protection.

If you use your printer frequently, disabling Windows Defender Firewall is not a feasible solution. You’ll need to investigate the issue further to allow the connection through the Firewall.

6. Update Your Printer Driver

Outdated or corrupted computer drivers can cause your connected device to malfunction. Try updating your printer driver to see if that helps resolve the error. You can update the generic printer driver using the Device Manager. Here’s how to do it.

Press Win + I to open Run .
Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
In Device Manager, expand the Print queues section.
Right-click on your printer and select Update driver.
Next, select Search automatically for drivers . Windows will scan for a new driver update and download and install it if available.

If no new updates are available, use your printer manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver for your printer model.

7. Uninstall and Reinstall the Printer Driver

You can also uninstall the printer driver to perform a clean install of your printer. To remove a printer, first, you need to remove the device from the Settings and then remove the driver.

To uninstall a printer:

Next, click on Printers & scanners.
Click the Remove button in the top right corner and click Yes to confirm the action.

Once done, restart your PC. After the restart, download the latest drivers for your printer from the manufacturer's website and complete the setup.

Fixing the "Print Spooler Service Is Not Running" Error

Often you can fix issues with the print spooler service by restarting the service or deleting the print queue files. However, if the issue persists, investigate your system for new changes, such as Windows updates or system file corruption.

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Home » Maintenance » How To Repair Print Spooler Windows Xp

How To Repair Print Spooler Windows Xp

How to: Restarting the Print Spooler service in Windows XP Step 1: Click on Start. Step 2: Click on Run Step 3: Open the Services console. Type services.msc and click the OK button. Step 4: The Services window appears. Locate the Print Spooler service in the right column. Click on the restart the service link on the left.

How do I restore a print spooler service?

How To Restart the Print Spooler Service on a Windows OS Open the Start Menu. Type services. Scroll down and select the Print Spooler Service. Right click on the Print Spooler service and select Stop. Wait for 30 seconds for the service to stop. Right click on the Print Spooler service and select Start.

How do I fix printer spooler problem?

Fix for “The print spooler service is not running” Error in Press “Window key” + “R” to open the Run dialog. Type “services. msc“, then select “OK“. Double-click the “Printer Spooler” service, and then change the startup type to “Automatic“. Restart the computer and try to install the printer again.

How do I reset the spooler?

Android Spooler: How to Fix Tap the settings icon on your Android device and select the Apps or Applications button. Select ‘Show System Apps’ in this section. Scroll down this section and select ‘Print Spooler’. Press both Clear Cache and Clear Data. Open the document or image you want to print.

Which program is used to restart the Print Spooler in Windows?

To start the spooler, type net start spooler; i.e., C:\windows\system32\net start spooler. Observe the following reply: The Print Spooler service is starting. The Print Spooler service was started successfully.

How do I reset my HP Print Spooler?

Step 1: Delete job files and restart the print spooler Turn off the printer using the power button. Search Windows for run, and click the Run Windows application in the list of results. Type services. Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.

How do you clear a printer spooler?

How do I clear the print queue if a document is stuck? On the host, open the Run window by pressing the Windows logo key + R. In the Run window, type services. Scroll down to Print Spooler. Right click Print Spooler and select Stop. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files in the folder.

What causes print spooler error?

Update or reinstall printer drivers. Many times, print spooler issues are caused by missing or corrupt driver files. First, try updating your existing printer drivers. If that doesn’t work, then download the latest printer drivers from the manufacturer’s website and install those latest drivers.

How do I restart the print spooler in command prompt?

Click the Start button and select Run. In the Command Prompt type, net stop spooler, then press Enter to Stop the Print Spooler. In the Command Prompt type, net start spooler, then press Enter to Start the Print Spooler.

What is a printer spooler?

The Spooler is a special process that manages access to printers by multiple users. For most users, the function of the Spooler is transparent. They generate a job for a printer and go to the printer to pick up the output. It spools print jobs by directing the output from a user’s process to a print file.

What happens if I disable print spooler?

Workaround: disable the Print Spooler Microsoft’s workaround for protecting systems against attacks targeting the new Print Spooler vulnerability is to disable the Print Spooler. The downside to disabling the Print Spooler is that printing becomes unavailable.

How do I reset my printer driver?

Start in the Main tab of the printer driver. Click on the Reset Defaults button located in the bottom-left of the window. Click OK to save any changes as the new default driver settings.

How do you fix Windows Cannot connect to the printer?

Follow steps below: Press Win+R (Windows logo key and R key) at the same time. A Run dialog box will open. Type printmanagement. msc in the run box and click OK button. In the left pane, click All Drivers. In the right pane, right-click on the printer driver and click Delete on the pop-up menu. Add the printer again.

How do I reset my Epson printer?

To Factory Reset an Epson printer: Turn off the printer. Press and hold the reset button on the back of the printer (normally located to the right of the ethernet port). Turn on the printer while holding the reset button. Wait until a message prints indicating that the printer is resetting.

What is the spooler service?

The Print Spooler is software built into the Windows operating system that temporarily stores print jobs in the computer’s memory until the printer is ready to print them. In some circumstances you may need to stop and/or restart the service.

How do I change print spooler settings?

To configure the printers Spool Setting, select Start | Settings | Printers. In the Printers window, right-click on the icon for the printer you want, and in the popup window select “Properties”. In the printers Properties dialog box, on the “Details” tab, click on the [Spool Settings] button.

Why is my HP printer printing blank pages when it has ink?

When your printer suddenly starts printing blank pages, you may immediately think that you’ve run out of ink. The most common ones are empty ink cartridges, improper cartridge installation, and congested nozzles. Driver and software issues can sometimes cause this problem as well.

What does Windows print spooler do?

The print spooler is an executable file that manages the printing process. Management of printing involves retrieving the location of the correct printer driver, loading that driver, spooling high-level function calls into a print job, scheduling the print job for printing, and so on.

How do I fix a print job stuck in queue?

Clear printer jobs stuck in the print queue Stop the Print Spooler service. Delete the files in the Printers directory. Restart the Restart the Print Spooler service.

How do I turn off Windows print spooler?

From the Services panel, scroll down and double-click on “Print Spooler.” When the Print Spooler Properties window opens, select the drop-down next to “Startup Type:” and pick “Disabled.” Select the “Stop” button to halt the service and select the “Ok” button to apply the changes.

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How to fix a printer spooler error message in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Printer errors can be some of the most baffling around – so here's how to solve spooler issues

In Association with

Most people have printers at home, especially if they work from home regularly, and we're pretty confident that everyone who has a printer has raged at the device when it's not behaving properly.

Imagine the scene: you're rushing to get a document printed or scanned, up against a deadline, and the printer has been working fine for months – but right when you need it, the unit will clam up, refuse to print and throw its toys out of the pram.

More often than not the issue is impossible to detect and, even if you do get an error message, it's usually pretty cryptic. That only adds to the frustration and means you cannot solve the problem quickly.

Thankfully, though, we're here to help. Many printer errors are caused by the spooler rather than the printer itself, and they can be remedied if you know some basic tricks.

Once you've had a look at those – and got your printer working properly – take a peek at our password security tips or the best ways to choose antivirus for your business .

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What's a printer spooler?

If you come across a broken printer then more often than not it's going to have gone wrong because of the spooler. And while you might assume this is an obscure component inside the printer itself, that's not actually the case.

The printer spooler is a little bit of software included with Windows 10 and Windows 11 – and with older versions of Windows, too. It transfers print requests from your computer to the printer, and allows them to be queued up for printing in sequence. If this service isn't working properly, your PC can't send print instructions to the printer, and you won't get very far.

Indeed, anyone who's done lots of printing will be familiar with error messages that say "the local print spooler service is not running" or "print spooler error" or "printer connection failed".

While that's frustrating, there are some simple steps you can take to get your hardware working properly again. With a bit of luck you won't have to get too technical, either, and the methods we've explained here work on Windows 10 and Windows 11, so you don't have to look up different methods for different operating systems.

Starting strong

The first thing you should try if you have a printer spooler error? Reboot your PC. Seriously. It's uncanny how often that simple step will resolve a computing issue.

If that's not done the trick, hit the Windows button and type "windows update". Load the Windows Update app, click the Check for Updates button, and apply all of the available updates for your operating system.

It's important to keep your printer drivers, software and firmware up to date because that software forms a crucial link between the spooler and the printer. If you've got an app from your printer manufacturer installed on your PC or laptop, open it up and you'll probably find options for updating your drivers, software and firmware.

If not, find out your printer's model name and head to the manufacturer's website. Once there you should be able to find the latest printer software and drivers in their support or download sections. Download the relevant files, install them, and you'll be updated to the latest version of the software. The installer should provide instructions for how to do all of this.

If you'd like to be thorough about this process, press the Windows key and search for "apps". Load the resulting Apps and Features menu and uninstall your printer software. Once that's done, search Windows for "printers" and use the Remove Device button on your malfunctioning unit to make the operating system forget about it, too.

This should remove the printer from your operating system and allow you to start again from scratch with the latest version of the software. As before, the printer software's installation software should provide instructions for setting the printer up correctly if you've uninstalled everything from your system.

If none of these basic steps get your printer working, tap your PC's Windows key and type "troubleshoot". Click the Troubleshoot Settings option that appears, head into the Other Troubleshooters section, and run the Printer troubleshooter.

This will scan your printing system for common printing errors. If it finds any problems, the troubleshooter will let you know – simply click the Apply this Fix button to solve the issues. This is a great step if you haven't solved spooler issues by updating drivers and your operating system and it doesn't require huge amounts of technical knowledge.

Getting specific

Sadly, if those options don't work, you'll probably have to get a bit technical. And while that's certainly daunting, if you take things slowly, you'll be fine.

Your first step should be clearing the printer's queue of documents and then restarting the printer spooler. Tap the Windows key and search for "services.msc". You'll see an app called Services – open it.

In there, you'll see a huge list of modules that keep your PC running smoothly. Scroll down until you find Print Spooler, right-click, and click Properties.

A panel will open – stay in the General tab. Click the Stop button to halt the Printer Spooler service. Once that's done, press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the Run command. Type the following into the little box that appears:

“C:\Windows\System32\spool\printers”

Remember to change the letter C if that's not your operating system's main hard drive. Once that's typed, hit OK, and Windows should open a folder. And if you don't want to deal with the Windows + R shortcut and the Run window, you can open the File Explorer and navigate to the folder manually.

This folder is where your spooler keeps all the temporary files that are created during the printing process, and one of these is probably holding up your printer. Select everything in the folder and delete it. You might get a message asking you for permission to complete that action – that's normal, and that's fine. And don't delete the folder itself.

After you've emptied the folder, head back to the Services app, right-click on Printer Spooler, and select Properties. Press the Start button to reactivate the Printer Spooler service. Now that you've cleared out the dodgy queue of documents, you should try to print again, and it'll probably work.

While you're in the Services app, also locate the DCOM Server Process Launcher, Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and RPC Endpoint Mapper modules. These three tools are also needed for printers to function smoothly. Make sure they're running, and ensure that they're set to start automatically with your PC or laptop. Just right-click each service, head into the Properties menu and change the setting if it's incorrect.

Spool Intentions

If none of these fixes have solved your spooler situation, it's worth staying in the Services app and making sure the Printer Spooler tool is using the correct settings.

Open the Services app, right-click on Printer Spooler, and click Properties. In the General tab, ensure that Startup type is set to Automatic so the spooler loads whenever you boot your computer. Press Apply to save any changes.

Click the Recovery tab. You'll see five options here – First Failure, Second Failure, Subsequent Failures, Reset Fail Count and Reset Service. These options govern how the spooler behaves if it detects its own errors. The first three options should say Restart the Service, and those two text boxes should both be set to zero. If you have to change those, click Apply to save the alterations.

Finally, head to the Log On tab. There's a box labeled Allow Service to Interact With Desktop – make sure it's unticked.

Security scares

You may also find that your security software prevents signals from getting to your printer properly.

If you use Windows 10 or 11's own security tools, click the Windows key and type in "security" to get a link to the Windows Security app. Once that's loaded, open the Firewall and Network Protection module, and use the Allow an App Through the Firewall section to add exceptions for your spooler service and the software provided by your printer manufacturer.

This principle applies if you use third-party security software, too. Open your security app of choice, head to the firewall section, and add exceptions for your printer software. This method isn't ideal if you want to keep your PC as secure as possible, but it's worth trying at least temporarily so you can see if firewalls are tripping up your printer's communications.

If you're willing to wade through firewall exceptions, the Services app, spooler settings changes and software updates then you'll probably be able to solve your printer's error messages – and your day will likely get a little less frustrating. And when you're dealing with a dodgy printer, that's about all that any of us can ask.

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Mike has worked as a technology journalist for more than a decade and has written for most of the UK’s big technology titles alongside numerous global outlets. He loves PCs, laptops and any new hardware, and covers everything from the latest business trends to high-end gaming gear.

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How to fix Windows 10 and 11 printing problems

Although windows 10 and 11 are generally stable, printer issues do occur from time to time. here are some tips to work around typical windows print gotchas..

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men with printing press c1935 seattle municipal archives via flickr

Typical symptoms for printer problems

Diagnosing and fixing printer problems, step 1: run the windows printer troubleshooter, step 2. remove and replace the driver for the problem printer, more on working with windows printers, looking ahead, windows printer drivers will change dramatically.

Thinking back to the era of Windows 3.0, 3.1, and Windows for Workgroups, I dimly recall that printer drivers could be especially troublesome. Happily, with Windows 95 through Windows 7, printer problems didn’t register much on my radar. But in the wake of upgrading my network to Windows 10 a few years back, I noticed an uptick in printer problems. On the other hand, Windows 11 seems rock solid where printing comes into the picture.

If printing is a cause for concern with your Windows setup, you may be relieved to know that all problems I’ve encountered have been easy to diagnose and fix, providing you know what steps to take to figure out what’s up. I hope this how-to will help readers zip through detection and diagnosis and proceed more quickly to the usual cures for printing ills.

Without belaboring the obvious, the most common issue with printing in Windows is an inability to print to some specific print device. Somewhat frustratingly, you might select a known and formerly working printer, fire off a print request, and see nothing happen in response, other than the number of jobs in the print queue increasing. What gives?

Other typical symptoms include the following:

Adding a printer to a PC or the network, only to find no corresponding device entry popping up in the Settings app (under Devices > Printers & scanners in Windows 10 or Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners in Windows 11) or in Control Panel (in the Devices and Printers pane in Windows 10 or the Printers & Scanners pane in Windows 11).
Upon encountering the conditions described in the preceding item, one may further encounter difficulties finding a device driver for a missing or uncooperative printer.
A printer may be visible as a device in the appropriate place in Control Panel or Settings, but it may show a status of “Unavailable” or “Offline.” Sometimes, all attempts to change this status through printer controls in Windows or on the device itself fail.

For the vast majority of printer problems, a device driver is somehow involved. It may be corrupted, broken, or missing. That’s why the most common fix for printer problems is fairly simple and straightforward — namely, removing the problem device and thereby uninstalling its driver, then adding it back again. For all but a few of the cases I’ve encountered in over 200 upgrades to Windows 10 and 11 (and further research on reported problems with printing or printers), this has been sufficient to fix the problem that is best described as “can’t print” or “won’t print” to a print device.

I’ll walk you through this technique in detail in a moment, but using Windows’ built-in printer troubleshooting tool may provide a shortcut to getting your printer working again, so it’s worth trying that first. Herewith, then, is my two-step approach to diagnosing and fixing printer problems:

In both Windows 10 and 11, the printer troubleshooter is found in Settings. Click Start > Settings , then type trouble into the search box. In Windows 10, select Additional troubleshooters from the Troubleshoot pane. In Windows 11, that option is named Other troubleshooters . From either vantage point, Printer is the option to select.

This launches a standalone troubleshooting utility that performs various tests on its own, then enacts automatic fixes if it can and reports on activity (or lack thereof) upon completion. It’s easy and straightforward to use. This resolves the vast majority of print issues on its own.

Figure 1 shows the issues that the Windows 10 troubleshooter checks. (They don’t all fit into a single window.)

Figure 1: The Windows 10 troubleshooter checks for 12 issues in all — seven appear in in the top screen, five more in the bottom screen.

Windows 11’s printer troubleshooter is chattier and offers up more info, as shown in Figures 2 through 6. I’ll provide commentary in each caption to explain what’s showing. You can scroll up or down among the screens shown in Figures 3 through 6 as you like.

Figure 2: The initial printer troubleshooter screen in Windows 11 gets you started on the troubleshooting process. When you click Yes , it produces the info shown in Figures 3 to 6 as a single scrollable window.

Figure 3: The troubleshooter suggests a manual user action — namely, to power off and unplug the device, then plug it back in and power back on. (Note the special instructions for USB-attached printers.)

Figure 4: A printer may not show up in the devices list. (If that’s the case, it reads “My printer is not listed.”) The troubleshooter begins the first four issue checks.

Figure 5: Two more issue checks, plus the “Add Printer Wizard” button and follow-up.

Figure 6: Seven remaining issue checks, followed by the overall “Did this solve the problem?” check. Across Figures 3 to 6 we see the same issues checked as in Figure 1 for Windows 10.

Overall, the Windows 10 and Windows 11 troubleshooters cover most common Windows print problems. If this doesn’t fix what’s ailing your printer, move on to Step 2.

To remove a printer, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners in Windows 10 or Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners in Windows 11. Click the printer’s device entry to go to its properties page, then click the Remove button at the top right. Alternatively, you can right-click the device entry in the Devices & Printers pane (Windows 10) or Printers & Scanners pane (Windows 11) in Control Panel, then select Remove device from the resulting pop-up menu.

Figure 7 shows the Remove button to the right of the Settings entry for my Samsung ML-2850 network attached printer (in Windows 11).

Figure 7: The properties page for my Samsung ML-2850 printer in Windows 11. Note the Remove button to the right of the printer display. (Also note access to the troubleshooter for this specific device — another way to handle printer issues.)

Note: If you try to remove a printer from the Printers list but find yourself unable to complete that action, try clearing its print queue. Apparently, Windows likes to have its print queues cleared before permitting a related print device to be removed. (This goes back as far as I can recall and applies to XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11.)

To do so, right-click the icon for the problem printer in the Devices & Printers or Printers & Scanners pane in Control Panel and select See what’s printing from the resulting pop-up menu — or, if you’ve got the printer’s properties page open in Settings, select Open print queue from the list of options. Then delete all pending items by highlighting them, right-clicking, and selecting Cancel .

Once a printer has been removed, it’s time to add it back in. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners ; in Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners . You’ll see an Add device button, as shown in Figure 8 (for Windows 11).

Figure 8: The Add device button appears at the head of the “Printers & scanners” item in Settings > Bluetooth & devices in Windows 11. (It looks a little different but works the same way in Windows 10.)

Click the Add device button, and Windows searches for connected printers and their drivers. You’ll see a list of devices to choose from, which should include the printer you removed. Click Add device for the printer you’d like to add. As it comes online, it shows “Connecting” status first, then “Installing,” with a progress bar that tracks its progress. Upon completion, the device should show up in the list, or it may produce an error status — most likely a “Driver is unavailable” message.

Note : For USB-attached printers or all-in-one devices, it may sometimes be necessary to unplug the USB cable from the computer after uninstalling the device. Then, reboot the PC and reseat the USB cable to force discovery of the device to invoke Windows’ built-in driver search and supply process.

If Windows doesn’t provide a replacement driver, you’ll have to find one for yourself. The best place to do that is at the printer manufacturer’s website, searching by printer make and model, so be sure to have that information handy. (You also can turn to any of the driver download resources available online, such as the free SoftPedia or Snappy Driver Installer , or for-a-fee tools such as Driver Booster , DriverUpdate , DriverSupport , and so forth.)

For my Dell Color MFP (multi-function printer) for example, I had to visit Dell’s Drivers & Downloads page , then enter the device’s service tag ID (printed on a label affixed to the device) to find relevant drivers. I picked the entry with the most recent date — namely, Dell Open Print Driver (dated October 11, 2017) and downloaded the corresponding zip file. In the process of running the dellopd.msi file that installed the necessary drivers, it also set that printer up as the default Windows printer on the target PC. Most printer driver updates will do the same on Windows 10 or 11 PCs.

When printers get removed and replaced, their associated device names may change. And when a name change occurs, other users who access such printers, either through a network share, a print server, or some similar means of access, may find the previous printer unavailable (because that old name is no longer tied to a valid device). When you attempt to add a printer and such an attempt fails, click the Details link on the results page: if there’s a problem with the device name, the error message (often numbered 1801) is quite explicit in identifying a name mismatch.

To get around this, you must find the current name for the printer you want to add. Then you can elect the add option that reads “The printer I want isn’t listed” and supply a UNC name for that printer. Use this syntax: \\computer-name\device-name (where computer-name is the name of the computer to which the printer is attached or through which it’s available, and device-name is the name of the printer you wish to access). You can use a network-attached printer’s IP address to access the device as well. The free Advanced IP Scanner tool shows you network device names and associated IP addresses (IPv4 only, though). Thus, it provides the focus for another “Add device” method as well.

When it comes to working with printers in Windows, I usually drill down to the properties page for a print device. You can get to it through Control Panel (right-click the device and select Properties ), or under the Printer properties button for a device that appears in the “Printers & scanners” pane in Settings. This level of access is necessary for checking print queues, obtaining device status, printing test pages, and the like.

For more help with Windows printer woes, check out Microsoft Learn and the Windows 10 or Windows 11 forums available online. (Of the latter, the most useful are Windows 10 Forums and Windows 11 Forum and the Microsoft Support Community , particularly the Windows Insider Program category.)

Given that printers do act up from time to time, and that drivers pose occasional problems as well, it behooves savvy Windows users to familiarize themselves with management and monitoring tools that the OS provides. By approaching such problems with care, and an “I can fix this!” attitude, you can diagnose and fix the vast majority of such issues, especially if you’re willing to try the “remove and reinstall” approach that flushes out questionable or damaged drivers and fixes most print-related problems. This is the surest path to printer satisfaction on a Windows 10 or 11 PC.

In a September 6 Windows Learn item, Microsoft lays out an “ end of servicing plan for third-party printer drivers on Windows .” The TL;DR version boils down to something like this: By 2025, Microsoft will require all printers to use “Mopria compliant printer devices” for both network and USB-attached printers.

This means everybody will use the Microsoft IPP Class Driver for all printers, to remove “the need for print device manufacturers to provide their own installers, drivers, utilities, and so on.” This will make life easier for those who own printers that fall under these guidelines. The Windows printer troubleshooter should be able to handle any and all issues that might pop up for such devices — at least, in theory.

Starting in 2025, no new printer drivers will be published to Windows Update. In 2026, printer driver ranking order (which determines which drivers to try first, second, and so forth) will change to favor Windows IPP inbox class drivers. Starting in 2027, third-party printer driver updates will be disallowed (except for security fixes).

People and organizations still using older Windows printers will still have to use the tips and techniques I’ve covered in this story. Over time, as these older devices get retired, the troubleshooting routines and tools for Windows printing should become more standardized, streamlined, and simplified. Let’s hope that also means things will work both easily and well. We’ll see...

This article was originally published in December 2015 and updated in September 2023.

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Print Spooler issues for Windows XP Professional

Hi. I'm having some issues with the print spooler on my Windows XP Pro machine. The print spooler service is stopping. I went into services and restarted the print spooler and seconds later it stopped again. I current have a print job in the queue but, when I try to delete it the spooler stops thus, taking away my ability to delete the job. Plus, it continues to give me the error message pertaining to the stopping of the print spooler. Does anyone know of any fixes for this issue?

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How to Fix a Printer Spooler Error: A Simple Guide
Method 1 Clearing & Resetting the Print Spooler 1 Run the printer troubleshooter. The troubleshooter is a simple way to detect and fix printer spooler errors on Windows. If the troubleshooter can fix your problem, you won't need to do additional troubleshooting.
Clearing the Printer Spooler, Troubleshoot Printer Spooler Errors, and
1. How to Manually Stop and Start the Print Spooler Click the Start button and select Run. Type Command (Figure 1 [English only]) and then click OK to display the Command Prompt (Figure 2 [English only]). Figure 1: In the Run window type command Figure 2: Command prompt
Restarting the Print Spooler service in Windows XP
Click on this. There are 2 options, select the lower one. On my computer the box below it has 'Print spooler app' with a tick box. Click the tick box and the 'apply and 'OK' buttons. Close all the windows and re-boot! Once it boots up go to 'start' and 'settings' then 'printers and faxes'. Select your printer and right click on it.
Spooler SubSystem App error in windows xp
Spooler Subsystem App You will see that you are not alone and find some threads that involve various HP printers and PageMaker and maybe some of those ideas will be inspiring or help. If you find nothing inspiring, I would post there and see what they have to say.
Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows
If you're trying to use your printer and run into problems, here are some steps for common printer problems to try to get things working again. Before you begin. Start by running the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Get Help automatically runs diagnostics and takes the correct steps to fix most printer issues. Open Get Help
How to Clear a Problem With a Print Spooler
Learn how to clear a problem by stopping the print spooler service first. Clear the folder and then resume the service again.Don't forget to check out our si...
How to Fix Printer Spooler Errors in Windows 11
Open Settings > Troubleshoot > Other trouble-shooters and select Run next to Printer to run the Printer troubleshooter. This will scan your Windows 11 device for printer-related errors and fix them automatically.
Print Spooler errors
Resolution Data collection This article provides a solution to fix Print Spooler errors that occurs after you install or upgrade a Third-Party print driver. Applies to: Windows 10 - all editions, Windows Server 2012 R2 Original KB number: 2793718 Symptoms You may experience any of the following symptoms on your Windows-based client computer:
How to Fix Printer Spooler Errors in Windows 10
Net Command (Windows 10). Set the Print Spooler service to Automatic. The Print Spooler service is a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service, which you can find by running services.msc. You'll see the "Print Spooler" service in the process list. Make sure to set it to Automatic rather than Manual. Clear the Printer Queue.
FIX: Spoolsv.exe error and other Printing problems
Step 1. Stop Print Spooler Service. 1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open run command box. 2. In run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter. 3. At the right pane, right click on Print Spooler service and click Stop. 4. Don't close the 'Services' window and continue to next step. Step 2. Delete Printer Queue Jobs.
How to Start the Printer Spooler Services in Epson
Step 6. Hit the "Start the Service" link in the upper-left corner of the window to manually start the Epson printer spooler service. If the service is already running, try using the "Restart the Service" link. Advertisement.
[SOLVED] XP print spooler stops....
If it is a network printer that is not governed by a print server, try doing the same but I would also delete the TCPIP port as well - then recreate it. Check C:\Windows\System32\spool\printers. If there are any files in there, delete them and then attempt to restart the print service.
How to fix Print Spooler error
0:00 / 5:31 How to fix Print Spooler error TheQwertystudios 288 subscribers 173 291K views 12 years ago Tutorial will show how to fix print spooler error in Windows XP. Manual fixes for...
How to fix printer spooler problems on Windows 10
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as Administrator option. Type the following commands (one line at a time) to stop the print spooler, delete the printers folder content, restart the printer spooler, and press Enter: net stop spooler del /Q /F /S "%systemroot%\System32\Spool\Printers\*.*" net start spooler
How to Fix print spooler services not running error from windows xp, 7
Computer Technics 903 subscribers Subscribe 1.4K views 6 years ago Are you seeing an error similar to this: "Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running." or...
How to Fix "The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running" Error in Windows
1. Run the Printer Troubleshooter The built-in Printer troubleshooter in Windows 10 and 11 lets you find and fix printing problems. The troubleshooter scans the system for common print problems and automatically resolves them. It can check and restart the print spooler service if stopped. Press Win + I to open Settings.
How To Repair Print Spooler Windows Xp
How to: Restarting the Print Spooler service in Windows XP Step 1: Click on Start. Step 2: Click on Run Step 3: Open the Services console. Type services.msc and click the OK button.
How to fix a printer spooler error message in Windows 10 ...
Scroll down until you find Print Spooler, right-click, and click Properties. A panel will open - stay in the General tab. Click the Stop button to halt the Printer Spooler service. Once that's ...
How to fix Windows 10 and 11 printing problems
Step 1: Run the Windows printer troubleshooter. In both Windows 10 and 11, the printer troubleshooter is found in Settings. Click Start > Settings, then type trouble into the search box. In ...
Print Spooler issues for Windows XP Professional
1- To open a Command Prompt type CMD in the Start menu Run box and press <Enter> (or click on OK). 2 At the Command Prompt enter the following commands, pressing <Enter> after each: net stop spooler del /q %SystemRoot%\system32\spool\printers\*.* net start spooler For the problem of the stopping spooler look in the Event Log for possible clues.