Technipages

Smart phone, gadget and computer tutorials

Fix for “The print spooler service is not running” Error in Windows

Fix for “The print spooler service is not running” Error in Windows

By Mitch Bartlett 11 Comments

Some users may get a “print spooler service” error when you trying to install a printer in Windows that says:

Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running.

To solve this error, try the following steps.

  1. Press “Window key” + “R” to open the Run dialog
  2. Type “services.msc“, then select “OK“.
  3. Double-click the “Printer Spooler” service, and then change the startup type to “Automatic“. This sets the Spooler service to start automatically when you restart the computer. Select “OK“.
  4. Restart the computer and try to install the printer again.

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.

You can also try cleaning out everything possible that might be hanging the Printer Spooler.

You Might Also Like

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. william L. Grant says

    Thank you so much you have been very helpful.

    With love and Kind Regards

    William L .Grant

  4. vince says

    thanks worked for me. have been trying for days to get printer to work on three computers. one had remote utilites printer i suspected might ha been the problem but was tired
    of messing with problem so deleted ir aand all others. reinstalled the printers i wanted and all is ok. good work.

  8. homayoon says

    Press “Window key” + “R” to open the Run dialog
    Type “services.msc“, then select “OK“.
    Double-click the “Printer Spooler” service
    then stop it and start it again it works

  9. Mandy says

    Our Panasonic Printer model KXP3626 has just stopped printing delivery notes. it was switched off last night and back on this morning as normal but will not print from any computer in the office. I have followed the instuctions for Print Spooler errors and nothing has changed. We recently changed broadband provider, could it be possible that this has had an effect? We were connected to a router/provider yesterday afternoon

  11. Joe says

    The articles of 5/25/16 & 6/9/16 regarding Print Spooler did not correct the Error Message I’m receiving on WiinXP with an H-P DeskJet printer. I don’t have the original Installer CD, & H-P no longer supports my model; I’m unable to verify the installation or Driver status.

Did this help? Let us know!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.