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

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

May 1, 2018 by Mitch Bartlett 29 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.

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Filed Under: Windows Tagged With: Windows 10

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. C says

    November 29, 2022 at 10:07 am

    Thank You so much

  2. Johnny Ringo says

    November 18, 2022 at 8:38 pm

    Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. HP Printer Access Denied Issue says

    July 21, 2022 at 12:53 am

    To switch the startup type to “Automatic,” double-click the “Printer Spooler” service. With this setting, the Spooler service will launch automatically each time your machine restarts. Choose “OK.” Try installing the printer again after restarting the computer. visiontechnews help to solve this problem deeply .

  4. William O'Grady says

    May 25, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    Thank you very much Mitch. It was a series of files (?) in the spooler file I had repeatedly try to load an HP printer that would not load. I cleaned out the file and the spooler works fine,.
    Thank you again.

  5. sach says

    April 20, 2022 at 3:19 am

    Thanks Mitch,
    Mine was already set to automatic but somehow after PC restart the spoolsvc was showing stop status. Just have to start it back again.
    The catch:- On a normal user login, status was showing start(and all options disabled, as it should be). This is a bug.
    Fix: When switched to admin login status shows stop. Then changed back to start and all working fine then.

  6. phani says

    March 21, 2022 at 12:57 am

    I have 15 system in my lan all system this speller error , i was formated 2 systems with latest antiviruss and when I connected my lan agaon it started the problem

  7. Mostafa says

    January 15, 2022 at 11:34 am

    Thank you so much. Your website is great. Thanks

  8. Shreedhar says

    November 20, 2021 at 2:02 am

    Yes really worked

  9. mahdi says

    November 7, 2021 at 1:43 am

    the reason :
    spoolsv.exe has been deleted or corrupted
    you must copy or replace the file spoolsv.exe located in the path in c:\windows\system32\ from another computer to your computer c:\windows\system32

  10. Phoebe says

    August 5, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    After buying 3 new label makers (PT-D600) and not getting any of them to work on any workstation, this suggestion was a God-send. Had many hours of frustration and help from a co-worker before stumbling on this; it worked like a charm.

  11. Elyse says

    March 3, 2021 at 1:23 pm

    Since mine was already set to automatic, I switched to disabled first, saved, then switched back to automatic. And then restarted the machine. And it worked after that!

  12. BIkky says

    September 27, 2020 at 5:04 am

    Thanks alot it works

  13. Courtney Brady says

    September 21, 2020 at 6:47 pm

    This helped fix the problem!! In my case, it was the update dated 9/9/20 KB4574727. Uninstall this and everything is fixed! Thank you.

  14. maria says

    March 13, 2020 at 3:16 am

    Thank you so much! :-)
    it worked at once! for windows xp,

  15. charlie says

    October 9, 2019 at 11:06 am

    Uninstalling Windows Update KB4524147 + restart resolved the issue for me.

  16. Lazlo says

    October 7, 2019 at 1:20 pm

    OCT 7th printer spooler issue. I am having to remove updates KB4524148 or 4524147 to get printers to work. This update meant to fix the spooler completely breaks it on some PCs

  17. Bodvar says

    October 7, 2019 at 9:35 am

    Already tried this. But it seems that the Windows 10 update of Sep 23 2019 has a bug that stops print spooler from running. I can print from a website which bypasses the print spooler, but not from my laptop.

  18. Louieville P. Galinato says

    September 25, 2019 at 5:51 am

    sir.. it did print as I tried printing like 1 page then after that it didn’t work again how am I gonna fix this?

  19. Unknown says

    August 6, 2019 at 11:04 am

    Thanks bro IT WORKS

  20. william L. Grant says

    May 1, 2019 at 1:16 pm

    Thank you so much you have been very helpful.

    With love and Kind Regards

    William L .Grant

  21. Sebastian Leal says

    April 16, 2019 at 9:00 am

    Disconnect from any VPN you’re connected to

  22. vince says

    May 19, 2018 at 1:53 am

    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.

  23. Rahul Agrawal says

    April 10, 2018 at 2:06 am

    Mitch Bartlett you are just too good. THANKS A TON!

  24. Peter says

    February 4, 2018 at 10:44 am

    All i can say is THANK YOU SO MUCH

  25. renato says

    November 20, 2017 at 12:07 pm

    Perfect!

  26. homayoon says

    September 4, 2017 at 10:56 am

    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

  27. Mandy says

    February 16, 2017 at 10:50 am

    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

  28. Hamed says

    January 18, 2017 at 8:37 am

    thank you very much. it was very helpful now it works.

  29. Joe says

    October 25, 2016 at 9:42 am

    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.

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Who’s Behind Technipages?

Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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