The solutions below should work for all of these versions of Windows.
We have separateinstructions for Windows 11.
Work through these steps in order (easiest to hardest solutions):
spin up the printer troubleshooter.
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You’ll find this if you search for Troubleshooting controls and selectingAdditional troubleshooters.
It will walk you through a wizard that may potentially isolate and fix the print spooler error.
Stopping and restarting the print spoolertypically resolves many printing issues or print jobs stuck in the print spooler.
Net Command (Windows 10).
Try this before moving on to any of the more complicated steps below.
it’s possible for you to use theNet commandat thecommand promptto stop and start drivers.
Set thePrint Spooler serviceto Automatic.
Net Command (Windows 10).
You’ll see the “Print Spooler” service in the process list.
confirm to set it toAutomaticrather than Manual.
flush the Printer Queue.
you’re able to stop the print spooler service using the net command before clearing the queue.
Remove all printers andinstall only the ones you use.
Having a clutter of old printers installed on your setup can sometimes cause print spooler conflicts and other issues.
It also makes it confusing to know which is the correct printer to select.
you might do this in Windows options by selectingDevices>Printers & Scanners.
Update or reinstallprinter drivers.
Many times, print spooler issues are because of missing or corrupt driver files.
First, tryupdating your existing printer drivers.
If that doesn’t work, thendownload the latest printer driversfrom the manufacturer’s website andinstall those latest drivers.
In this case, you’ll need torun the drivers using Windows Compatibility mode.
Reset print spooler registry keys.
The registry contains important information to make the print spooler connect to your printer properly.
By deleting old information there, it can reset the spooler and fix any issues.
Use//HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Print/Environments/Windows NT x86/Print Processors/for 32 bit Windows or//HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/Print/Environments/Windows NT x64/Print Processors/for 64 bit Windows.
To fix it, reset and scrub the Android OS Print Spooler cache.
Go toSettings>Apps>Show System Apps>Print Spooler>Clear Cache and Data.
When you exit the Command Prompt window, the spooler should start properly.
