Few things are more irritating than sending a file to print only for nothing to happen—or seeing your printer marked as “offline” even though it’s turned on and connected. In many cases, the root of the problem is the Windows Print Spooler. This essential service controls how print jobs are queued and sent to your printer. When it malfunctions, printing can stop entirely.
This guide explains what the Print Spooler does and walks you through step-by-step methods to fix common Print Spooler problems, helping you get your print jobs flowing again.
Important Disclaimer
This article is provided for independent, informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by HP, Epson, Canon, Brother, Microsoft, Apple, or any printer or software manufacturer. We do not supply drivers, remote assistance, or repair services. Our goal is to share reliable troubleshooting information to help you resolve printer-related issues on your own.
What Is the Print Spooler and Why Is It Important?
The Print Spooler is a Windows service that temporarily holds print jobs in memory or on disk before sending them to your printer. This allows you to continue using your computer while documents print in the background. If the spooler stops running, crashes, or becomes corrupted, printing can fail entirely—jobs may get stuck, printers can appear offline, and new printers may not install correctly.
Common Signs of a Print Spooler Problem
- Print jobs stay in the queue and never print.
- The printer shows as Offline despite being powered on.
- You’re unable to add a new printer or install drivers.
- Programs freeze or crash when you try to print.
- You see errors mentioning the Print Spooler service or spooler subsystem app.
Step 1: Restart the Print Spooler Service (Most Effective First Step)
Restarting the Print Spooler often resolves temporary errors and restores printing functionality.
Open the Services Window
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
services.mscand press Enter.
Find Print Spooler
- Scroll through the list and locate Print Spooler.
Restart the Service
- Right-click Print Spooler.
- If it’s running, choose Restart.
- If it’s stopped, choose Start.
Test Printing
- Try printing your document again to see if the issue is resolved.
Step 2: Clear Stuck Print Jobs and Spooler Files
Damaged or frozen print jobs can prevent the spooler from working properly.
Stop the Print Spooler
- In the Services window, right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.
- Leave the Services window open.
Remove Spooler Files
- Open File Explorer (Windows + E).
- Navigate to:
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS - Approve administrator access if prompted.
- Delete all files inside the PRINTERS folder (do not delete the folder itself).
Restart the Print Spooler
- Return to the Services window.
- Right-click Print Spooler and select Start.
Try Printing Again
- Send a test document to the printer.
Step 3: Review and Update Printer Drivers
Faulty or outdated drivers can trigger Print Spooler errors.
Check for Driver Updates
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Look under Advanced options or Optional updates for Driver updates.
- Install any available printer driver updates.
Reinstall the Printer Driver
- If issues persist, uninstall and reinstall the printer driver.
- Download the latest driver version from the printer manufacturer’s official website for best results.
Step 4: Use the Windows Printer Troubleshooter
Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common printer and spooler issues.
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Scroll down and click Run the troubleshooter next to Printer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Important
This guide is intended for general troubleshooting only. For printer-specific instructions, official drivers, or advanced technical support, always consult your printer manufacturer’s official website or user manual.
Conclusion
Print Spooler problems can bring printing to a standstill, but they’re often easy to fix. Restarting the service, clearing stuck print jobs, and keeping your drivers up to date can resolve most issues quickly. These steps are essential for keeping Windows printing stable and reliable.