Print Spooler Error on Windows? How to Fix It Permanently
The print spooler keeps stopping or crashing. Here is how to fix it once and for all so your printer works reliably.
What the Print Spooler Does
The Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages all print jobs. It queues documents, sends them to the printer in order, and handles communication between Windows and the printer driver. When the spooler crashes or stops, no printing is possible. The error usually shows as The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running or Spooler SubSystem App Has Stopped Working.
Step 1: Clear the Print Queue
Stuck print jobs are the number one cause of spooler crashes. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. Delete everything in this folder. You may need to stop the spooler first: open Command Prompt as Administrator and type net stop spooler. After deleting the files, type net start spooler. This clears corrupted print jobs that were crashing the service.
Step 2: Reset the Spooler Service
Open Services by typing services.msc in the Start menu. Find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Properties. Set the Startup Type to Automatic. Click the Recovery tab and set First Failure, Second Failure, and Subsequent Failures all to Restart the Service. This ensures the spooler automatically recovers from crashes without manual intervention. Click Apply and OK.
Step 3: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Corrupted drivers frequently crash the spooler. Remove all printers from Settings, Printers and Scanners. Then open Print Server Properties: press Win+R, type printui /s /t2. Delete any old or unused printer drivers from the Drivers tab. Restart your computer, then install fresh drivers from your printer manufacturer website and add the printer back.
Pro Tips
Still stuck? Talk to an expert.
Get personalized tech support help for your specific situation — just $3.
Chat with an expert — $3 →
