print spooler service is not running

Sometimes while trying to print and the document stocks in the queue, and if you try to cancel the job, it’ll stay deleted forever. There are several reasons you can’t print, including connection problems or issues with the printer itself. But most commonly it’s a problem with the “print spooler” on Windows 10. Print Spooler Service is responsible for managing print jobs and If this service ceases to work, the printer won’t print documents. Sometimes while install or opening printer you may receive

Windows cannot connect to the printer.

The local print spooler service is not running.  Please restart the spooler or restart the machine.

Print Spooler Service is not running

This problem print spooler service keeps stopping usually happens if the Print Spooler related-file has become corrupted or gone missing. Restarting print spooler service, clear print queues from printer spooler folder. Update or reinstall the Printer drivers and Run a printer troubleshooter most probably fix the problem.

Set Print Spooler Service to Automatic

This is the first thing you must check whenever you face a print spooler service-related problem. If the service is not started, or stuck on not responding you may face local print spooler service is not running Windows 10.

  • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and ok to open the services console
  • Scroll down and look for print spooler service
  • Right-click on the print spooler service and select properties.
  • Here check and make sure its startup type is set to Automatic
  • if not Set Print Spooler Service to Automatic
  • Now stop and start the service and click apply to make save changes.
  • Check there is no more problem with the print spooler service.

restart print spooler service

Clear print queues from printer spooler folder

This is very useful if you notice a print job stuck in the queue won’t delete

  • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and ok to open the services console
  • Scroll down, look for Print Spooler service right-click and select stop.
  • Now Press Windows + R type the following path and press ok
  • C:\Windows\System32\spool\printers
  • Select everything in the printer’s folder and hit the delete button to remove all its content.

Clear Printer Spooler Files

  • Again open the Windows services console, Right-click print spooler service select start.
  • That’s all Once you’ve completed the steps, you can try to print a document one more time, and the printer should work as expected.
  • This is the most applicable solution to fix to remove a stuck print job in Windows 10

Run Printer Troubleshooter

Also running the built-in Printer Troubleshooter can help solve most print issues. Detect if the print spooler and required services running, latest printer drivers are installed, or check if have any connectivity issues.

To run the printer troubleshooter,

  • Press Windows + I to open Windows settings,
  • Click Update & security, then Troubleshoot,
  • On the right-hand side look and select printer,
  • Then click the Run troubleshooter
  • Let the printer troubleshooter detect and fix the problems.
  • Restart Windows after complete the process
  • Now fire a print job and check there is no more problem.

Printer troubleshooter

Update printer driver

Also sometimes driver incompatibility causes the printer to not function properly. We recommend check or reinstall the printer driver with the latest one.

  • Open control panel, programs, and features
  • look for the installed printer driver and select uninstall,
  • Restart Windows to completely remove the driver from your PC.
  • Now Obtain updated software from your printer manufacturers and reinstall only the items you need.
  • Check if this helps to fix the print spooler problem.

Did these solutions help to fix the print spooler service that keeps stopping on Windows 10? Let us know in the comments below.

Robeg
I am Robeg founder of this blog. My qualification. completed Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). With a strong background in computer applications love write articles on Microsoft Windows (11, 10, etc.) Cybersecurity, WordPress and more.