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The Print Spooler Service is not running in Windows 10: How to Fix it in 5 Easy Steps

  • downbunhuddtergvas
  • Aug 21, 2023
  • 6 min read


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.




The Print Spooler Service is not running in Windows 10




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.


A printer spooler is an executable file. A printer spooler is used by a printer to store multiple print jobs within a print queue where it's retrieved by the print server. Without it, you may not be able to print anything.


This is what may happen. When you try to print with any application (Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, QuickBooks, Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc.) you get an error message that you need to install a printer first or the print spooler isn't running. You don't need to panic when this happens.


Sometimes Print Spooler service can keep stopping because of Print Spooler files - too many, pending, or corrupt files. Deleting your print spooler files can clear pending print jobs, or the too many files or solve the corrupt files to resolve the problem.


If the Print Spooler service keeps stopping after your restart it, the problem is most likely related to corrupted printer drivers that are installed on the computer. Try uninstalling all printers and printer software from the computer and start from scratch. This may include PDF writer or faxing software as well. Anything listed in the Control Panel under Printers & Faxes I would do away with. If there is any software installed for other printers in Add/Remove Programs I would uninstall it all. Obtain updated software from your printer manufacturers and reinstall only the items you need.


Thank you very much Mitch. It was a series of files (?) in the spooler file I had repeatedly try to load an HP printer that would not load. I cleaned out the file and the spooler works fine,.Thank you again.


Already tried this. But it seems that the Windows 10 update of Sep 23 2019 has a bug that stops print spooler from running. I can print from a website which bypasses the print spooler, but not from my laptop.


3a. Ensure that the Startup Type is Automatic and click Start button to start the service. If it's already running, click Stop and then click Start to restart the service.


4b. if the print spooler service cannot start, check if the Status of the above services is Running, and if not apply the steps 3a & 3b above to start the service(s).


Another effective way to deal with the printer spooler error's is to uninstall the printer driver and other printer's related software and to reinstall the printer. This method often solves printing problems, especially if the printer's driver is corrupted. To uninstall the printer:


If the after following the above methods the printer spooler service is not running, this indicates that the executable file of the service (spoolsv.exe), or the Print Spooler service registry key is corrupted or damaged.


Print spooler service getting disabled automatically in windows server 2019 and need to start manually every time to start the service. Tried few troubleshooting steps from internet but couldn't help. Any advise please.


Press the Windows key+ X and select Settings. Type Troubleshoot on the search box and click on Troubleshooting Settings. Locate and click on the Printer troubleshooter and follow the prompts. Wait for the process to detect the problems that cause the printer spooler to keep stopping, and try to fix them. Run printer troubleshooter Restart your PC (Windows) after the process is complete. Check the problem is resolved.


I have a HP desktop running Vista 32bit. The printer has stopped working. The printer is fine and so is the USB cable. I have tried a few USB ports that work with other devices. I tried reinstalling driver - I get the popup that driver installs correctly and device is ready to use


If Print spooler service has corrupted by itself: That means printer spooler service & their destination files spoolsv.exe, spoolss.dll have gone corrupted due to unaccepted restart the computer. Anyway, In order to fix it, you have to follow some steps on that, we are providing you a proper step-by-step guide to solve that issue, just follow the instructions below carefully.


Hello all. I am freaking out. I have a Dell laptop with Windows XP and a HP 1012 Laserjet. The laserjet has been working fine and suddenly yesterday evening it stopped being able to print. I get the message: print spooler service is not running. I have tried a lot of things I found on the internet to get it going again but nothing has worked so far.


Once the printer has fully started, go into the driver's properties from the Printing and Faxing window and try to send a test page. If it still says the spooler is not running then in the Control Panel, open Adminstrative Tools and select Services. Scroll down the list and select Spooler - does it say started? If you right click on it, can you start it? If it's set to manual change it to Automatic. If it doesn't want to start or isn't in the list then you have an issue with your operating system. Check the MS knowledge base for help with spooler issues.


Virginia, I hope it worked for you. It certainly worked for me. I've been having the same problem, and thanks to frprinterwiz, I was able to print his instructions after I went through the process getrting the spooler to work. Thanks again!!


The instructions for checking the print spooler status was the solution to my printer problems. Somehow the print spooler was disabled.I changed it to automatic and both my printers are up and running again. thank you so much. , sharon adkins


Install Windows 10 updates as soon as they become available, and only allow your system to install printers from servers you personally authorize. Microsoft recommends disabling the Print Spooler service when you don't need it.


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:


If your print spooler still keeps stopping, you can choose to revert your computer to an earlier state when the Print Spooler worked without problems. However, you can only do that if you took the time to activate the System Restore functionality in Windows 10 previously.


When performing a print operation in Windows 7 / 8 / 10, like adding a printer or printing a document, the operating system relies on a "spooler" background service, which keeps track of files sent to the print queue. The print spooler is enabled by default, so you should never have to worry about it. But if it is somehow disabled, you'll get this error message: "The local print spooler service is not running. Please restart the spooler or restart the machine".


The easiest first step, not guaranteed to work if the spooler was stopped or set to manual start, is just to restart your PC. If you still receive this error, we need to manually restore the print spooler as a service that automatically launches. If you know how to open a program as an administrator, use that technique for the instructions in step 3. Otherwise, I'll show you another way in step 4.


To manually restart the print spooler, type "service" in the start menu, and click on Services under Control Panel. The applet that opens shows all registered services, including the spooler. Click anywhere inside the listing, to focus on it, and start typing the word "print" to quickly locate the Print Spooler. Right-click on it, and choose Start: if the command is disabled (grayed out), we'll need to work another way - we'll take the long route, which is more reliable.


Open the start menu, type "msconfig", and click on the top result: this is the name of a Windows utility that controls what happens when you boot your computer. Which services launch, which drivers load, etc. (A "driver" is a piece of software that lets Windows communicate with various hardware connected to the PC - either internally, like a CD drive, or externally, like a printer!) With the default UAC settings, you'll have to enter the administrator's password.


When System Configuration opens, select the Services tab at the top: type "print" to quickly find the service we want. When you see Print Spooler, make sure that its checkbox is checked. Given your problem and the error message mentioned earlier, it is likely unchecked. Click OK to apply the change, and restart your computer. If the print spooler was the only cause of your issue, you'll be able to print, add a printer, etc. - anything that relies on that service!


Sometimes, you might need to restart print spooler for certain reasons. Do you know how to do that? In this guide from MiniTool Partition Wizard, 3 commonly used methods to restart print spooler in Windows 10 are listed and you can have a try.


Printing is a regular operation in work place, and the print spooler is a necessary factor for printing tasks. The print spooler is a software program that is responsible for managing all print jobs currently being sent to the computer printer or print server. It allows you to delete a print job being processed or manage these to be printed.


Generally, you can restart print spooler Windows 10 via Task Manager, Command Prompt, and Services. Keep on your reading to get the detailed instructions. 2ff7e9595c


 
 
 

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