How to Start Print Spooler Service Manually on Windows

The Print Spooler service is essential for managing print jobs sent from your computer to the printer. When this service is stopped or malfunctioning, printing tasks can fail or get stuck. Starting the Print Spooler service manually can quickly resolve common printing issues and restore your ability to print documents. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, covering everything from prerequisites to troubleshooting tips.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC with administrative privileges
• Basic familiarity with Windows interface or Command Prompt
• Access to Services management console or Command Prompt

Step-by-Step

1. Log into your Windows PC with an administrator account. Administrative rights are required to start or stop system services.
2. Open the Services management console:
   • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Locate the Print Spooler service: Scroll through the list of services until you find “Print Spooler.” Services are listed alphabetically.
4. Check the status of the Print Spooler service: Look under the “Status” column. If it says “Running,” the service is active. If it’s blank or says “Stopped,” the service is not running.
5. Start the Print Spooler service manually:
   • Right-click on “Print Spooler” and select “Start.”
   • Alternatively, if the service is running but you suspect an issue, you can select “Restart” to refresh it.
6. Verify the service has started successfully: The status should change to “Running.”
7. Close the Services window.
8. Test your printer: Try printing a test page or a document to confirm that the service is functioning properly.

Alternatively, you can start the Print Spooler service using the Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges:
   • Press Windows key, type cmd, right-click “Command Prompt,” and select “Run as administrator.”
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   net start spooler

3. If the service starts successfully, you will see a confirmation message.
4. Close the Command Prompt and test your printer.

Common Mistakes

• Not running as administrator: Attempting to start the Print Spooler without admin rights will fail silently or show an error.
• Attempting to start the service while printer drivers are corrupted: The service may start but printing won’t work properly.
• Ignoring dependent services: Sometimes, other services needed by the Print Spooler may be stopped or disabled, causing it not to start.
• Not clearing the print queue: A stuck or corrupted print job can prevent the spooler from starting correctly.
• Using incorrect commands in Command Prompt: Typos or incorrect service names will result in errors.

Tips

• Clear the print queue before restarting the spooler: Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files to clear stuck jobs.
• Set Print Spooler to start automatically: In the Services console, right-click “Print Spooler,” select “Properties,” and set Startup type to “Automatic” to avoid future manual starts.
• Keep your printer drivers updated: Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause spooler issues.
• Restart your computer if the spooler repeatedly fails: Sometimes other software conflicts can be resolved by a reboot.
• Use PowerShell as an alternative: You can start the spooler with the command Start-Service -Name spooler.

Troubleshooting

If the Print Spooler service does not start as expected, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Check for error messages: When starting the service, Windows may display an error code or message that can guide your diagnosis.
• Examine the Event Viewer logs: Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) and look under “Windows Logs” > “System” for errors related to the Print Spooler service.
• Clear the print queue manually: Sometimes corrupted print jobs block the spooler. Stop the service, delete files in the spool folder (C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS), then start the service again.
• Check dependencies: The Print Spooler depends on other system components such as RPC (Remote Procedure Call). Ensure these services are running.
• Scan for malware: Certain viruses or malware can target the print spooler service. Run a full system scan using trusted antivirus software.
• Update or reinstall printer drivers: Faulty drivers can cause spooler crashes or prevent it from starting.
• Run System File Checker (SFC): Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow to repair corrupted Windows files.
• Reset Print Spooler configuration: If nothing else works, you may consider resetting the spooler registry keys or performing a system restore to a time when printing worked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Print Spooler service stopping repeatedly?

This often happens due to corrupted print jobs, outdated or incompatible printer drivers, or malware affecting the service. Clearing the print queue and updating drivers usually helps.

Can I start the Print Spooler service without admin rights?

No. Starting or stopping system services requires administrative privileges on Windows for security reasons.

What does the Print Spooler service do exactly?

It manages print jobs by queuing them and sending them to the printer in order, allowing multiple print requests to be handled efficiently.

How do I clear a stuck print job causing spooler issues?

Stop the Print Spooler service, delete all files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, then restart the service.

Is it safe to disable the Print Spooler service?

Disabling it will prevent printing altogether, so it’s not recommended unless you do not use any printers on the device.

Why does the Print Spooler service fail to start after Windows update?

Sometimes updates can cause driver conflicts or corrupt spooler files. Updating drivers and running system repair tools can resolve this.

By following these instructions and tips, you can effectively manage and troubleshoot the Print Spooler service to maintain smooth printing operations on your Windows PC.

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