This comprehensive guide walks through everything you need to know about the Print Spooler, the reasons it fails, and how to fix it manually — without using any external tools. The article is purely educational and outlines detailed methods for identifying and resolving print spooler-related issues in Windows 10 and Windows 11. 

This comprehensive guide walks through everything you need to know about the Print Spooler, the reasons it fails, and how to fix it manually — without using any external tools. The article is purely educational and outlines detailed methods for identifying and resolving print spooler-related issues in Windows 10 and Windows 11. 

What Is a Print Spooler?

Before delivering each print job to the printer individually, the Print Spooler, a built-in Windows service, temporarily stores them in the system’s memory. It acts as a queue manager that allows multiple print jobs to be managed efficiently.

When the spooler is functioning correctly, the user can continue working while documents are lined up for printing in the background. If the spooler service crashes, stops, or becomes corrupted, print jobs cannot be processed — and that’s when the error appears.

Common Symptoms of a Print Spooler Error

You click Print, but nothing happens.

A dialog appears saying, “Print Spooler Service is not running.”

The printer disappears from the Devices and Printers window.

Documents are stuck in the print queue and can’t be deleted.

You receive error codes like 0x800706b9, 0x800706be, or 1053.

Causes of Printer Spooler Errors

Corrupted print jobs stuck in the queue

Outdated or conflicting printer drivers

Malware or system registry issues

Windows updates causing service conflicts

Accidental spooler service stoppage or misconfiguration

Step-by-Step Methods to Fix Print Spooler Errors

Let’s explore how to diagnose and fix this issue from the ground up.

Method 1: Restart the Print Spooler Service

To launch the Run dialog box, press Win + R.

Type services.msc and hit Enter.

Scroll down to find Print Spooler.

Right-click and choose Restart.

If it’s not running, right-click and select Start.

Optional: Set the Startup Type to Automatic so it restarts with Windows.

Method 2: Clear the Print Queue Manually

Sometimes, a corrupt job in the queue causes the spooler to crash repeatedly.

Step-by-step:

Type services.msc and press Enter after pressing Win + R.

Locate Print Spooler, right-click and click Stop.

Open File Explorer and go to:

makefile

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Edit

C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

Delete all files in this folder.

Return to services.msc, right-click Print Spooler again, and select Start.

This removes all queued documents and often fixes the issue.

Method 3: Use Command Prompt to Reset the Spooler

This advanced method performs the same steps as above, but through commands.

Type cmd in Start, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

Then enter the following commands one by one:

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Edit

net stop spooler

del /Q /F %systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*

net start spooler

This guarantees that the service restarts, the spooler stops, and the queue is cleared.

Method 4: Remove Old or Duplicate Printer Drivers

Faulty or outdated drivers often conflict with the spooler.

Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

Remove any duplicate or unused printers.

Press Win + R, type printmanagement.msc, and hit Enter (on Pro editions).

Under All Drivers, right-click and delete any old or duplicate entries.

Restart your system.

If your Windows version doesn’t support Print Management, use Device Manager:

Open Device Manager.

Expand Printers.

Right-click the installed printer > Uninstall device.

Reboot the system and reinstall the printer.

Method 5: Check for Windows Updates

In some cases, missing or partial updates can interfere with the spooler service.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Click Check for Updates.

Install all pending updates.

Restart your system.

Method 6: Edit Registry (Advanced)

If none of the above works, registry edits may be needed — but use extreme caution.

Type regedit, hit Enter, and then press Win + R.

Navigate to:

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Edit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler

Ensure these values exist:

Start should be set to 2 (Automatic)

Do not modify anything else unless you’re familiar with the Registry Editor.

Note: Back up your registry before making any changes.

Method 7: Run System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted system files can affect the spooler service.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Type:

bash

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Edit

sfc /scannow

Await the scan’s completion and adhere to any prompts displayed on the screen.

Preventive Tips

Regularly clear your print queue, especially in shared printer environments.

Avoid unplugging the printer during active print jobs.

Install only one version of the printer driver.

Keep Windows updated.

Restart your computer occasionally to refresh background services.

FAQs

What causes the print spooler to stop working?

This often results from corrupted print jobs, outdated drivers, or software conflicts. External devices or system changes can also impact the spooler.

Can I disable the spooler permanently?

Yes, but disabling it will prevent all printing functions. It’s best to restart or repair the service instead.

My spooler restarts but crashes again. What now?

Check for corrupt drivers or malware. A clean boot or SFC scan can help isolate the problem.

Why does my printer keep showing “offline”?

If the spooler is down, Windows cannot communicate with the printer, even if it’s properly connected.

Do I need third-party tools to fix spooler issues?

No. Most spooler errors can be resolved using built-in Windows tools and manual methods, as described above.

Conclusion

The Printer Spooler Error is one of the more manageable issues in Windows, once the underlying cause is known. Whether it’s a blocked queue, driver mismatch, or system corruption, resolving the issue often takes just a few steps. The key is to work methodically — starting from the spooler service itself and moving toward driver and system file repairs.