How one can Repair the “Print Spooler Service Is Not Working” Error in Home windows

The Print Spooler service acts as a significant middleman between your Home windows laptop and the printer, facilitating the dealing with of print jobs. Nevertheless, if this service stops functioning, it might probably render your printer unusable. This information takes a have a look at the completely different options for the “Print Spooler service isn’t working” error.

Good to know: mouse pointer transferring by itself? These fixes will help you resolve the difficulty on Home windows.

1. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

The very first thing to do when something goes incorrect with the printer or the providers associated to it’s run the Printer troubleshooter.

This utility is designed by Microsoft particularly to scan the system for points that are stopping the printer from working correctly. If any underlying drawback is recognized, the instrument will both try and resolve it routinely or recommend related fixes that you would be able to apply manually.

  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to “System -> Troubleshoot.”
  1. Click on on the “Different troubleshooters” choice.
Clicking on "Other troubleshooters" in Settings.
  1. Within the following window, it is best to have the ability to see a listing of obtainable troubleshooters in Home windows. Find the Printer troubleshooter, and click on on the “Run” button for it.
  2. In Home windows 10, navigate to “Settings -> Replace & Safety -> Troubleshoot -> Printer -> Run the troubleshooter” for a similar choice.
Click on "Run" button next to Printer troubleshooter.
  1. The troubleshooter will start scanning the system for underlying points. This may increasingly take some time to finish, so dangle in there. As soon as the scan is accomplished, analyze the outcomes.
  2. If the troubleshooter has prompt a repair, click on on the “Apply this repair” button to proceed. In any other case, select “Shut the troubleshooter,” and transfer to the subsequent technique.
Click on "Close the troubleshooter" option after scan is done.

FYI: if it is advisable make certain information are erased utterly out of your system, take a look at one of the best instruments to securely delete information on Home windows.

2. Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler service itself could possibly be coping with a corruption error or inconsistency that’s stopping it from functioning correctly. A simple approach to repair points with the service is to restart it by following the steps under:

  1. Press Win + R to open Run.
  2. Sort providers.msc in Run and click on Enter.
Typing "services.msc" in Run window.
  1. Find the Print Spooler service, and right-click on it.
  2. Select “Properties” from the context menu.
Right-clicking on Print Spooler in Services app.
  1. Click on on the “Cease” button, wait a number of seconds, and click on “Begin.”
Settings "Startup type" to "Automatic" in Print Spooler Properties window.
  1. Broaden the drop-down for “Startup sort,” and select “Automated.”
  1. Click on “Apply -> OK” to save lots of the modifications, and verify whether or not the issue has been resolved.

Tip: in case your PC is experiencing sluggish boot instances, we’ve a number of strategies that may velocity it up.

3. Clear the Print Queue

The Print Spooler service could possibly be malfunctioning due to caught or corrupted print jobs. Furthermore, there might be numerous pending print jobs which are placing a pressure on it, resulting in the issue you might be experiencing.

To confirm whether or not that is the case, clear the print queue, and verify whether or not that helps. Doing so will get rid of any clogged or corrupted print jobs and resolve any conflicts and errors which are occurring as a result of a specific print job.

  1. Sort providers.msc within the Run window once more, and hit Enter.
Typing "services.msc" in Run window.
  1. Contained in the Companies window, find the Print Spooler service, and right-click on it.
  2. Select “Cease” from the context menu.
Clicking "Stop" to halt the Print Spooler service.
  1. Launch File Explorer by both clicking on the folder icon within the taskbar or urgent Win + E.
  2. Navigate to the next location within the File Explorer: “C:WindowsSystem32spoolPRINTERS”
  1. Delete all of the information within the Printer folder. Affirm your motion within the Consumer Account Management immediate, if it seems.
Printer folder containing no files in File Explorer.
  1. Launch the Service window once more, and right-click on the Print Spooler service.
  2. Choose “Begin” within the context menu.
Clicking "Start" for Print Spooler service.
  1. Click on “Apply -> OK” to save lots of the modifications.
  2. Shut the Companies window, and verify whether or not the difficulty has been resolved.

4. Replace or Reinstall the Printer Drivers

In some circumstances, the difficulty may come up as a result of incompatible or corrupt printer drivers. An issue along with your drivers might lead to incompatibility with the Print Spooler service, or they could possibly be interfering with the method of this service, inflicting it to malfunction.

One of the best ways to resolve driver points is by updating them or manually downloading an up to date model of the driving force from the producer’s web site and putting in it.

Uninstalling printer driver via Device Manager.

If updating the drivers doesn’t work, it might suggest a extra critical underlying drawback. In that case, contemplate uninstalling the drivers, then reinstalling them.

5. Verify for Third-Get together Interruption

There are occasions when third-party functions or providers can intrude with the processes of the Print Spooler service, resulting in the issue. To find out whether or not that is the case, boot into Protected Mode, and verify whether or not the difficulty nonetheless seems. If it doesn’t, it implies {that a} third-party app or service is conflicting with the Print Spooler service.

  1. Click on on the Home windows icon in your taskbar.
  2. Choose the ability button, and click on “Restart” whereas holding the Shift key.
Clicking on "Restart" button while also holding the Shift key.
  1. Watch for Home windows as well into the restoration setting, and navigate to “Troubleshoot -> Superior choices.”
Clicking on "Advanced options" in recovery environment.
  1. Select “Startup Restore.”
Clicking on "Startup Repair" in Advanced options.
  1. Click on on the “Restart” button, then press F5 to launch Home windows in Protected Mode.
Click "Restart" button in Startup Settings.
  1. As soon as you might be in Protected Mode, strive performing the motion that was initially triggering the error.

Tip: is System Restore not working for you? Be taught what to do.

When you don’t see the error in Protected Mode, you’ve a few choices to attempt to resolve the difficulty. First, carry out a System Restore, which can revert your system again to a earlier state when the Print Spooler service was functioning accurately. Alternatively, when you have an concept of which particular service or software is inflicting the battle, you possibly can manually take away it.

Nevertheless, if the error persists even in Protected Mode, we advocate looking for help from the official Microsoft assist workforce. They will help pinpoint the precise reason for the issue and offer you acceptable steerage for a decision.

Print Spooler Service Up and Working

The Print Spooler service performs a significant function in managing print jobs, and addressing any points promptly is vital to sustaining a easy printing expertise. We advocate putting in common system updates to stop such points from occurring sooner or later. Typically updates can spell bother, however fortunately, we’ve an entire information that exhibits how one can cope with errors led to by updates.

Picture credit score: Pexels. All screenshots by Zainab Falak.