Print spooler service is Windows subsystem responsible for printing. It accepts data from files and put them to print queue for the relatively slow printing device to keep up with the fast OS without stopping other user activities while the document is printed. Print spooler manager let to manipulate the data in the queue, change the document order or cancel printing.
If print spooler service is not working, it might fail for different reasons with the one end – your printer just stops, and the OS presents a pop-up message about the printer spooler error. Sometimes, this error message might help to determine the cause of the error. Then, you can look to the menu on right side of this post to find a specific article related to your problem. More often, the error message is more general, and you need to think on the cause and perform some steps that hopefully will solve the problem.
If you are short on time and the printing is very vital thing for you, then the best solution you can find is the use of a utility tool specially designed to be a universal fixer for all of the print spooler related problems. This utility is called Print Spooler Fix Wizard, and you can download it from the link below.
Download Fix Wizard
If you like and can fix computer problems yourself, then you can go on with the reading and find out where the possible print spooler problems usually came from and what the fixes you can try to make on your own. Good side about reading this stuff is the possibility of getting more ideas on possible causes of the print spooler problems and the ability to fix the problem easily when your, or someone else’s, print spooler service is not working. Then, you might be a hero to someone less advanced.
Possible print spooler problems and solutions
The failure of print spooler might have a relatively simple cause such as work overload, improper system shut down, improperly uninstalled programs or hardware. It also might be caused by the malicious program activity that might cause corruption of the print spooler files and drivers and making some mess in the system registry. Here, the causes are presented in the order that is rational for the possible problem solution unless you know exactly what the problem might be and go right to the needed procedure.
Look for problems caused by single file:
The problem might be caused by some documents with graphics that the particular printer or its driver cannot handle. When you try to print MS Office document and the printer spooler comes up with an error message, then this document might contain embedded graphics with the image that are bigger then printable page area. Check the graphics placed in the Office graphics container. It might have huge transparent area that is beyond of printable page area boundaries. You need to crop this image before placing it in the container; otherwise, this particular printer might stop responding when you send this document for print. Good thing is that this problem is not universal and you never met this one with your printer.
Try to restart your print spooler service:
Just restart your computer! It might be an instant problem solution. If for you can’t stop your computer, then try to restart print spooler service by other means.
Note: For this you need to be logged on as an administrator.
- Press Start button.
- Open Control Panel and start Administrative Tools.
- Double-click Services.
- Scroll down to Print Spooler service.
- Right-click on it and select Restart.
Memorize this procedure because you might need to start or to stoop your print spooler service while performing other fixing procedures.
Try to clear corrupted print manager files
The problem might be cause by corrupted print spooler manager and print queue files. To fix this problem, open folder C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\PRINTERS, and delete all files there. Try to restart your print spooler again.
Try to reinstall your printer:
If the previous steps don’t help to solve the problem, then there might be corrupted or outdated driver. You can try to remove drivers and reinstall your printer. For this: Stop the printer spooler service if it is running. Open folder C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers and remove all files from this folder. Unplug your printer cable from you computer and wait for 5 seconds. Then, plug it back and let it be recognized by the system. Then you can start print spooler.
These steps should resolve most common print spooler problems. You might also want to look at the page related to network print spooler issues , or to the page related to the conflict of the print spooler service with the security system for Windows 7 and Vista when print spooler service keeps stooping
Use the last resort weapon:
If nothing of above helps, then the problem might be far more complex, and I am not the one who will advise you on messing with the system registry. Unless you are an IT professional, you might just waste your time while trying to fix the problem. Moreover, any error you make in the process might cause more serious problem that might require expensive system repair or the full system reinstall. There is no reason to take such a risk on your head. Better use the right tool that will help to resolve in 99% of print spooler problems, and will provide technical assistance for all the rest.