How to Troubleshoot ‘Print Spooler Service Not Running’ on Windows 10 PC

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The error message ‘The local print spooler service is not running’ may appear when you try to install a new printer, when you open the settings for a configured local printer, or when you try to print a file. This error may occur on Windows computers.

The text of the error message may vary slightly depending on what you want to do with the objects in the print spooler subsystem. For example

Windows cannot open “Add Printer.
The local print spooler service is not running. Please restart the spooler or restart your computer.

Windows cannot connect to the printer.
The local Print Spooler service is not running.

What is the reason for ‘Print Spooler Service Not Running’?

  • The problem is most likely due to corrupted printer drivers installed on your computer.
  • This error usually occurs because the spooler service, which performs print job spooling and handles printer communication, is corrupted.
  • Sometimes the print spooler service can stop because of the print spooler files. Try checking and removing if there are any print queues left in the Print Spooler folder.

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Perform the printer troubleshooting procedure

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Select Update and Security, then click the Troubleshooting tab.
  3. Click Printer in the right pane, then click Run Troubleshooting.
  4. Wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer and see if the error persists.

Restarting the print spooler service

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run field.
  2. Type services.MSC in the box and click OK to open Services.
  3. Find the Print Spooler service in the list, right-click it and select Properties.
  4. On the General tab, change the startup type to Automatic and click Start.
  5. Click OK to confirm the changes.
  6. After restarting the Print Spooler service, the “Print Spooler service not running” error should be resolved.

Updating the printer driver

  1. Press Win + X to select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the print queues, then right-click on the desired printer and select Update Driver.
  3. Select Automatically check for driver updates, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the printer driver update.
  4. Restart your computer to see if the error has been fixed.



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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Run the printer troubleshooter program.
  2. Make sure that the print spooler service is set to automatic mode.
  3. Delete files from the print spooler.
  4. Restart the Print Spooler service.
  5. Remove other (unnecessary) printers.
  6. Uninstall the printer drivers and install them again (from the manufacturer's website).

  1. Click "Window" + "R" to open the "Run" dialog box.
  2. Type "services. MSC" and select "OK".
  3. Double-click the "Print Spooler" service and change the startup type to "Automatic".
  4. Restart your computer and try installing the printer again.

  1. Open Task Manager from the search box or other convenient way.
  2. Click on the Details option to access all the tabs.
  3. Switch to the Services tab.
  4. Scroll down and select the Spooler service.
  5. Right-click on Spooler.
  6. Click on the Restart option.

Related posts:
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  2. How to Troubleshoot Print Spooler Error 0x800706b9 on Windows 10 PC
  3. How To Fix: Spooler Service Error in Lexmark Printer
  4. How To Repair Print Spooler Error 0X800706B9 (Solved)
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