An executable file is a printer spooler. A printer spooler stores multiple print jobs in a print queue where they are retrieved by the print server. You might not be able to print anything without it. The print spooler manages the print jobs that are currently queued for printing. It also allows the user to delete a print job that is currently being processed. Your printer will not work if the print spooler keeps stopping, or if the service is not running or is hung.
In this article we will teach you How to Fix ‘The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running’ Error. This is what may occur. When you try to print from any application (Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, QuickBooks, Internet Explorer, Chrome, and so on), you get an error message stating that you must first install a printer or that the print spooler is not running. You should not be alarmed if this occurs. To continue printing, simply repair the print spooler. Below we have mention the steps to Fix ‘The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running’ Error.
How to Fix ‘The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running’ Error
Run the Printer Troubleshooter
The built-in Printer troubleshooter in Windows 11 and 10 allows you to locate and resolve printing issues. The troubleshooter scans the system for common print issues and resolves them automatically. Here’s how to put it to use.
- To open Windows Settings, press Win + I.
- In the left pane, click the System tab.
- Scroll down and click Troubleshoot in the right pane.
- Then, select Other troubleshooters.
- Then, for the Printer option, click the Run button. The troubleshooter will scan the system for any problems.
- Select the printer to troubleshoot and then click Next.
- Wait for the scan to finish and then check to see if it discovered any issues. Then, if available, apply the recommended fixes.
Set the Print Spooler Service Startup Type to Automatic
The print spooler service is configured to start automatically when the system reboots. However, if you have it set to start manually, the service may cease to function. Using the Services snap-in, you can change the startup type of the print spooler service.
To alter the startup type of the print spooler service:
- To open Run, press Win + R.
- To open the Services snap-in, type services.msc and press OK.
- Locate the Print Spooler service here.
- Select Properties from the Print Spooler menu.
- In the resulting pop-up dialog, select Automatic from the Startup type drop-down menu.
- To save the changes, click Apply and OK.
- Select Disabled if it is already set to Automatic. To save the changes, click Apply and OK.
- Open the Print Spooler service properties and select Automatic as the Startup type.
- To save the changes, click OK and then Apply.
- Restart the PC/Laptop after closing the Services snap-in. Create a print job and see if the printer spooler service is not running error is resolved.
Clear the Print Spooler Files
Too many pending or corrupted print jobs can cause the print spooler service to stop working. To fix this, manually delete the print spooler files and restart the service. Here’s how to go about it.
- To open Run, press Win + R.
- Enter services.msc and press OK.
- In the Services snap-in, locate and select the Print Spooler service.
- Stop the Print Spooler by right-clicking it.
- Then, press Win + E to launch File Explorer.
- Navigate to the following address. To navigate quickly, copy and paste the following path into the File Explorer address bar:
C:WindowsSystem32spoolPRINTERS
- Clear all of the files in the Printers folder. If prompted by User Account Control, select Yes (UAC). Delete only the files within the PRINTERS folder, not the folder itself.
- Return to the Services snap-in after closing File Explorer.
- Right-click on the Print Spooler service and choose Start.
- Create a new print job and check to see if the error has been resolved. If that doesn’t work, try disconnecting and reconnecting the printer to see if that helps.
Check Windows Defender Firewall
If your printer is network-connected, Windows Defender Firewall may be preventing the connection, resulting in the error. You can confirm this by temporarily disabling Windows Defender Firewall and printing again.
To turn off Windows Defender Firewall, follow these steps:
- To open Settings, press Win + I.
- In the left pane, click the Privacy & security tab.
- Then, select Windows Security.
- Finally, click the Open Windows Security button.
- In the left pane, click the Firewall & network protection tab.
- Select your current network (Public / Private).
- To disable the firewall, toggle the switch under Microsoft Defender Firewall. If UAC prompts you, select Yes.
- Create a new print job with the Firewall turned off and see if it completes successfully.
- After that, turn on Windows Defender Firewall protection.
Disabling Windows Defender Firewall is not an option if you frequently use your printer. To allow the connection through the Firewall, you’ll need to look into the problem further.
Update Your Printer Driver
Computer drivers that are out of date or corrupted can cause your connected device to malfunction. Try updating your printer driver to see if that solves the problem. The Device Manager can be used to update the generic printer driver. Here’s how to go about it.
- To open Run, press Win + I.
- To open Device Manager, type devmgmt.msc and press OK.
- Expand the Print Queues section in Device Manager.
- Select Update driver from the printer’s context menu.
- Select Search automatically for drivers next. If a new driver update is available, Windows will scan for it and download and install it.
If no new updates are available, go to the website of your printer manufacturer to download the most recent driver for your printer model.
Uninstall and Reinstall the Printer Driver
You can also uninstall the printer driver and reinstall your printer. To remove a printer, first remove the device from Settings, then remove the driver. To uninstall a printer, follow these steps:
- To open Settings, press Win + I.
- Click Bluetooth & devices in the left pane.
- Then, select Printers & Scanners.
- Locate and select your printer.
- Click the Remove button in the upper right corner, then confirm the action by clicking Yes.
After that, restart the PC. After restarting, go to the official manufacturer’s website and download the most recent printer drivers to finish the setup.
Final Words
Assume you have a large number of documents to print and your printer isn’t doing its only job, which is to print documents. This could be caused by a variety of factors, including a faulty print spooler. “The Printer Spooler service is not running,” is one of the most common printing errors reported. The Print Spooler is a Windows 10/11 component that transfers print requests from the computer to the printer. The printer will not be able to print if the print spooler service is corrupted or disabled.
I hope you understand this article, How to Fix ‘The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running’ Error.
