When your print spooler service keeps stopping, the problem usually occurs because of incorrect settings for print spooler service on the system or the issues related to raised security in Windows Vista and 7. It also might be related to some corrupted or outdated drivers, missing files or the files installed for different version since there are 32-bit and 64-bit OS versions. Some people also find this problem after they install Internet Explorer 9.
If this intro give you some idea on what and why might happen with your print spooler, then look for the solution in the section below related to possible problem, or try all of the steps in this sequence if you have no an idea about the problem cause.
Note: Unfortunately, the problem might be also related to the virus activities on your PC, and the solution might be far more complex than offered. It might need you to run full scan of your system with the antivirus and remove all malware from your PC before you started to solve the print spooler problem. It is needed because either virus might remove or block your print spooler files, or antivirus might remove printer spooler or system files that are infected.
Due to complications caused by the virus infections and the resulted destruction brought to your system, the solution might be more complex than stated below. Then you might need a special tool like Print Spooler Fix Wizard that addresses all the multitude of the print spooler problems and also provides technical assistance and support with licensed version. This tool requires only few clicks from the user, and then it finds and automatically resolves all the problems related to print spooler.
Download Fix Wizard
Manual solutions for possible print spooler problems
Note: To change or restart the Print Spooler service you must be logged on as an administrator.
Internet Explorer 9 related problem
Some people note the problem after they installed IE9.
To solve IE9 related issues start your Internet Explorer open Tools menu and click on Internet options. In the open window open Advanced tab and in the section “Reset Internet Explorer settings” press Reset button.
Print spooler is not set properly for automatic service
- Click Start button and open Control Panel.
- Find System Maintenance and click on Administrative Tools.
- Double-click Services. Type the password or provide confirmation if prompted for an administrator access rights.
- Right-click the Print Spooler service, and click Properties
- On the General tab, located next to the Startup type, select Automatic option
- If the service is not running, click Start under Service status
- Click Start, and then click OK. If prompted for administrator password or confirmation, type the password or confirm the action.
If you need instructions on the installation or removing the printer, you can find them at link:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/4097d784-4b1e-423d-b6be-737f81f7b1dc1033.mspx
Print spooler stops due to the access violation in the security model set
- Click Start type services.msc and press Enter for search or click on the found program name at the top in Windows 7.
- Start print spooler. If after you turned it on, it turns off automatically, then try next step, and if it doesn’t starts skip this step and move to the next one.
- Click Start and type C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe in the file search box.
- Right click Properties and click on Security Tab, then click Advanced and Owner.
- Take ownership of spoolsv.exe and give it full permission rights.
- Close opened windows and try to start print spooler service again.
- You also need to clean print spooler temp files by opening folder stated below or by the running command.:
- For running command click Start > and type cmd (with Admin rights)
- Type del /Q C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\PRINTERS\*.* in the command box and press Enter.
- Try to start print spooler with Services utility (use steps from the previous instruction set if you don’t know how to open it).
Printer spooler stops due to corrupted drivers and files
- Save files that you tried to print and stop printer spooler.
- Open C:\Windows\system32\spooler\printers folder and delete all files
- Open C:\Windows\system32\spooler\drivers folder and delete all the files
- Unplug your printer cable from your computer and wait for 10 seconds.
- Plug the cable back and restart print spooler.
These operations will remove all problems that might related to corrupted files and reinstall your printer drivers.
If nothing of these helps and you print spooler service keeps stopping while printing is very important for you, then protect your print spooler subsystem with good antivirus and use professional utility that helps to keep your print spooler safe and tuned up.