How to Repair Print Spooler Keeps Stopping in Windows PC

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Printers are an essential part of our daily lives, but encountering issues with the print spooler can be frustrating. In this article, we will delve into troubleshooting methods to resolve the persistent problem of the print spooler constantly stopping, ensuring a smooth printing experience for all.

Understanding Print Spooler in Windows 10

In Windows 10, the Print Spooler is a service that manages print jobs and helps communicate with printers. However, sometimes the Print Spooler may stop unexpectedly, causing issues with printing. To troubleshoot and fix this problem, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and type “services” in the search bar.
2. Click on “Services” to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate the “Print Spooler” service.
4. Right-click on the Print Spooler service and select “Properties”.
5. In the Properties window, click on the “Stop” button to stop the service.
6. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
7. Delete all the files in the PRINTERS folder.
8. Go back to the Services window, right-click on the Print Spooler service, and select “Start” to restart it.
9. Close the Services window and try printing again.

Troubleshooting Print Spooler Issues

  • Restart the Print Spooler service: This can help resolve issues when the print spooler keeps stopping. Open the Services window, locate the Print Spooler service, right-click on it, and choose Restart.
  • Clear the print queue: Sometimes, a stuck print job can cause the print spooler to stop. Open the Printers folder, right-click on the printer, and select “See what’s printing.” Then, click on “Printer” in the top menu and choose “Cancel All Documents.”
  • Check for conflicting software: Certain third-party applications or printer drivers may conflict with the print spooler. Disable or uninstall any recently installed software or printer drivers to see if it resolves the issue.
  • Update or reinstall printer drivers: Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause print spooler problems. Visit the printer manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest drivers for your printer model.
    Check for conflicting software: Certain third-party applications or printer drivers may conflict with the print spooler. Disable or uninstall any recently installed software or printer drivers to see if it resolves the issue.
Update or reinstall printer drivers: Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause print spooler problems. Visit the printer manufacturer's website to download and install the latest drivers for your printer model.
  • Run the Printer Troubleshooter: Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common printing problems. Search for “troubleshooting” in the Windows search bar, select “Troubleshooting settings,” and click on “Printer” under “Get up and running.”
  • Reset the Print Spooler folder: Stop the Print Spooler service, navigate to the “%WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers” folder, delete all files within it, and start the Print Spooler service again.
    Run the Printer Troubleshooter: Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common printing problems. Search for "troubleshooting" in the Windows search bar, select "Troubleshooting settings," and click on "Printer" under "Get up and running."
Reset the Print Spooler folder: Stop the Print Spooler service, navigate to the "%WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers" folder, delete all files within it, and start the Print Spooler service again.
  • Check for system file corruption: Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan for and repair any corrupted system files that may be affecting the print spooler. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command “sfc /scannow.”
  • Perform a clean boot: Temporarily disable non-Microsoft services and startup programs to determine if they are interfering with the print spooler. Follow Microsoft’s instructions on how to perform a clean boot.
  • Update Windows: Keeping your Windows operating system up to date ensures you have the latest bug fixes and improvements, which can resolve print spooler issues. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click on “Check for updates.”

Checking and Configuring Print Spooler Settings

To check and configure print spooler settings, follow these steps:

1. Open the Services window by pressing the Windows key + R, typing “services.msc,” and hitting Enter.
2. Scroll down and locate the “Print Spooler” service.
3. Right-click on it and select “Properties.”
4. In the Properties window, ensure that the “Startup type” is set to “Automatic.”
5. If the service is not running, click on the “Start” button to start it.
6. If you encounter any error messages or issues, run the Printer troubleshooter to identify and fix the problem.
7. You can access the troubleshooter by going to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Printer.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to resolve any detected issues.

By checking and configuring the print spooler settings, you can ensure that your printer functions smoothly and resolves any print spooler-related problems.

Clearing Print Spooler Cache and Temporary Files

To clear the Print Spooler cache and temporary files, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and click OK.
3. In the Services window, scroll down and locate the Print Spooler service.
4. Right-click on the Print Spooler service and select Stop.
5. Leave the Services window open.
6. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following folder: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
7. Delete all the files in the PRINTERS folder.
8. Go back to the Services window, right-click on the Print Spooler service, and select Start.
9. Close the Services window.
10. Restart your computer.

This process will clear the Print Spooler cache and temporary files, which can help resolve issues with the Print Spooler service. If the problem persists, you may need to reinstall the printer driver or seek further assistance from our support team.

Managing Printer Drivers




Managing Printer Drivers

Below is a table summarizing the steps to manage printer drivers when troubleshooting the “Print Spooler Keeps Stopping” issue.

Step Description
Step 1 Open the Control Panel on your computer.
Step 2 Click on “Devices and Printers” or “Printers and Scanners” option.
Step 3 Locate your printer in the list of devices.
Step 4 Right-click on your printer and select “Properties”.
Step 5 Navigate to the “Advanced” or “Advanced Options” tab.
Step 6 Click on the “Print Processor” or “Print Driver” button.
Step 7 Select a different print driver from the list or click “New Driver” to install a new one.
Step 8 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation.
Step 9 Restart the print spooler service or restart your computer.
Step 10 Test printing to check if the issue is resolved.


Updating Windows and Printer Drivers

To update Windows and printer drivers, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Device Manager.” Click on the search result.
2. In the Device Manager window, locate the “Print queues” category and expand it.
3. Right-click on your printer and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
5. Windows will search for the latest driver and install it if available.
6. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

To update printer drivers manually, visit the manufacturer’s website and look for the latest driver for your printer model. Download and install the driver following the instructions provided.

Remember to regularly check for Windows updates to ensure your system is up to date.

If the print spooler keeps stopping, you can try restarting it by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.
3. In the Services window, scroll down and locate “Print Spooler.”
4. Right-click on it and select “Restart.”
5. If the issue persists, right-click on “Print Spooler” again and select “Properties.”
6. In the Properties window, go to the “Recovery” tab.
7. Set the “First failure,” “Second failure,” and “Subsequent failures” options to “Restart the Service.”
8. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

These steps should help resolve issues with print spooler errors and keep your printing experience smooth.

Fixing Registry Issues

To fix registry issues related to the print spooler, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler
4. Right-click on the “Spooler” key and select “Export” to create a backup of the registry entry (for safety purposes).
5. Delete the “Spooler” key.
6. Restart your computer.
7. After restarting, open the Registry Editor again and navigate to the same location.
8. Right-click on the “Spooler” key and select “Import” to restore the backup you created.
9. Restart your computer again.

These steps should help resolve any registry issues causing the print spooler to keep stopping. If you continue to experience problems, consider updating your printer driver or seeking further assistance from Microsoft support.

Scanning for Malware and Ensuring Privacy

To ensure your privacy and protect your device from malware, it’s important to scan for potential threats. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix the issue of your print spooler continuously stopping:

1. Start by scanning your device for malware using a trusted antivirus program. Run a full system scan to identify and remove any malicious software that may be causing the issue.

2. Next, check your privacy settings to ensure your personal information and data are secure. Go to your device’s settings and review the privacy options available. Adjust them according to your preferences to maintain transparency and control over your data.

3. Clear any cookies or temporary files that may be interfering with the print spooler. Open your browser’s settings and clear the browsing data, including cookies and cache.

4. If the print spooler issue persists, try restarting the print spooler service. Open the Services application by pressing Windows key + R, typing “services.msc,” and hitting Enter. Locate the “Print Spooler” service, right-click on it, and choose Restart.

Following these steps should help resolve the print spooler issue and ensure your privacy and security. If the problem continues, consider reaching out to our partners for further assistance.

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Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.