The print spooler error is one of the most common printer errors encountered by users. It usually occurs when an application or service is attempting to access the printer, but the printer is not responding or is unable to respond. There are a few methods for resolving the issue, depending on the cause.
Method 1: Restart the Print Spooler Service
To resolve this issue, first check if the spooler service is running properly or not. To do this, press the Windows key + R simultaneously, then type in services.msc and press Enter. This will open the Services Window. Scroll down to the Print Spooler service and double-click it. The service should be set to Automatic and started. If it is stopped, select Start and click OK.
If the service is started and the problem still persists, try restarting the Print Spooler service. To do this, return to the Services Window and right-click the Print Spooler service, then select Stop. Wait for it to stop, then select Start and click OK.
Method 2: Clear the Printer Queue
If restarting the service didn’t work, the next step is to clear the print queue. Right-click the Start button and select Control Panel, then select Devices and Printers from the list. Right-click your default printer and select See What’s Printing. This will open the Print Queue window. Click Printer in the menu bar and select Cancel All Documents. If the printer is still showing offline, right-click it and select Use Printer Online.
Method 3: Adjust Printer Properties
If restarting the service and clearing the print queue are unsuccessful, then you can try changing the properties of the printer. Go to the Start Menu and type in “Printers & Scanners” and select Printers & Scanners from the list. Select your printer, then click Manage and select Printer Properties. Click the Advanced tab and uncheck the box that says “Enable Advanced printing features”. Click OK and try printing again, if it doesn’t work, repeat these steps again, but this time click the Ports tab and select the correct port for the printer.
Method 4: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
If none of the above methods worked, then the next step is to run the Printer Troubleshooter. To do this, go to the Start Menu and type Troubleshoot. Select Troubleshoot from the list, then select Printer and follow the instructions on-screen to diagnose and fix the issue. If the troubleshooter is successful, then your problem should be resolved.
Method 5: Reinstall Printer Drivers
If the above methods did not work, then you may need to reinstall the printer drivers. To do this, go to the Start Menu and type Device Manager. Select Device Manager from the list, then find your printer and double-click it. Select the Driver tab and click Uninstall Device. Confirm the uninstallation and restart your computer. Once it is restarted, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your printer. Install it and restart your computer for it to take effect. Try printing again, if it works, the issue should now be resolved.
Conclusion
Print spooler errors can be frustrating and time-consuming to resolve, but the methods mentioned above should help you fix the issue. If all else fails, contact the manufacturer’s customer support or a printer repair center to get additional help.