• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Technipages

Tutorials and fixes for smartphone, gadget, and computer problems

  • Topics
    • Android
    • Browsers
    • Gaming
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • iPhone
    • Linux
    • macOS
    • Office
    • Reviews
    • Software
    • Windows
    • Definitions
  • Product Reviews
  • Downloads
  • About
Windows: Clear Print Queue

Windows: Clear Print Queue

February 27, 2023 by Mitch Bartlett 10 Comments

If you have a long list of hung or corrupt print jobs in Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7, you can clear the print queue easily by using either of these methods.


Clear Pring Queue from Command Line

You can clear the print queue using commands like this.

  1. Select Start.
  2. Type Command.
  3. Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator“.
  4. Type net stop spooler then press “Enter“.
  5. Type del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\* /Q then press “Enter“.
  6. Type net start spooler then press “Enter“.
  7. The print queue on your Windows should now be cleared. Type exit, then press “Enter” to exit the command window.

Clear Print Queue Using Windows

You can clear the print queue using this the Windows GUI.

  1. Hold down the Windows Key and press “R” to bring up the Run dialog.
  2. Type services.msc, then press “Enter“.
  3. Find the “Print Spooler” service in the list. Right-click it, then select “Stop“.
  4. Leave the Services window open. Hold down the Windows Key and press “R” to bring up the Run dialog.
  5. Type %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\, then press “Enter“.
  6. Select all of the files by holding “CTRL” and pressing “A“.
  7. Press the “Delete” key to delete all of the files.
  8. Go back to the Services window, right-click “Print Spooler“, then select “Start“

FAQ

Some files remain in the “printers” folder and will not allow me to delete them. How do I get rid of these?

Make sure the Print Spooler is stopped. If you’re sure it’s stopped, you might want to try opening a command prompt and running “chkfdsk /f /r” to run a check on the hard disk. Once complete, attempt to delete the file.

You Might Also Like

  • Benefits of Using “Print to PDF” in Windows 10
    Benefits of Using “Print to PDF” in Windows 10
  • Disable Windows Print Notifications
    Disable Windows Print Notifications
  • Windows: Print Contents of Directory
    Windows: Print Contents of Directory
  • Windows 10: How to Print Multiple Files
    Windows 10: How to Print Multiple Files
  • Fix for “The print spooler service is not running” Error in Windows
    Fix for “The print spooler service is not running” Error in…
  • Fix: Windows Print Spooler Service Won't Stay Started
    Fix: Windows Print Spooler Service Won't Stay Started

Filed Under: Windows

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kimberley Hyatt says

    April 14, 2021 at 1:33 pm

    Amazing! Thank you. 2nd version worked a charm.

  2. John R Janovich says

    December 30, 2020 at 2:50 pm

    Followed above steps and worked like a charm on Win 7

  3. Elaine Pruncutz says

    May 18, 2020 at 8:43 pm

    how do I sign on as “Administrator”?????

  4. Harmony Rose says

    April 14, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    Thank you so much – I’ve been trying to sort out these stuck print jobs for monrths now. This finally worked.

  5. Nanang Taten says

    January 23, 2020 at 6:36 pm

    Thanks the first step work folr met

    Thank you very much again.

  6. lafield says

    November 14, 2019 at 12:42 pm

    thank you for making this so very easy!

  7. Laurie Turnbull says

    September 20, 2019 at 10:04 am

    Thank you, the first method above worked for me on an old HP p1005 printer

  8. Sr. Betty Preston says

    August 3, 2019 at 9:28 am

    am new with this old printer HP 6600
    I do not understand nor can I find the COMMAND nor the WINDOWS KEY

  9. Mitch Bartlett says

    March 17, 2019 at 1:08 pm

    When followed properly, these steps should have absolutely nothing to do with causing missing DLL files or background information.

  10. RWild says

    June 5, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    Just dawned on me this is to clear the files in the queue. I’m want to delete the queues themselves. Sorry but the thing that pointed me here sounded like that was what this was about.

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.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • 3 Ways to Choose All Files in a Folder – Windows 11
  • Apple TV+: How to Erase a Show From the Up Next List
  • How to Change the Profile Picture on Disney+
  • Local Security Policy: What Is It and How to Open It in Windows 11
  • How to Create and Erase an Alarm in Windows 11
  • 10 Best NAS Storage Device for Home and Professional Use
  • PS5 NVMe Requirements You Must Fulfill to Expand PS5 Storage
  • Steam Deck Won’t Turn On: 8 Possible Fixes You Can Try

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.

You May Also Like

  • Windows 95/98
  • Microsoft Windows NT
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Windows Media Player (WMP)

© Copyright 2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved · Privacy