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Fix Print Spooler

clip_image002Fix printing problems by resetting the print spooler

Fix it for me

This Fix it Solution automates resetting the Print Spooler on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.

The Fix it has two modes: Light and Full.  The light mode will make changes to the spooler that should not require the end user to make any changes.  The full mode will restore the print spooler to defaults and require a reinstall of printers.

Published Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:20 PM by davecal_ms
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# Microsoft Fix it BLOG : Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, May 28, 2009 7:59 AM by Microsoft Fix it BLOG : Fix Print Spooler

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Saturday, May 30, 2009 10:18 PM by roney ware

our printer doesnt work. its stuck in queue, and wont delete document. it is saying that i am not an administrator. i own this computer!!! what the heck is going on? please get back to me quickly.

its not the printer, its in my software. and that is your department, i dont know much about this stuff.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Monday, June 01, 2009 8:03 AM by slight

Greetings Roney Ware,

We have released a more comprehensive Fix it package for print spooler issues.

http://blogs.technet.com/fixit4me/archive/2009/05/27/fix-print-spooler.aspx

Please see the comments at the above site for a description of what this Fix it package is doing.

/Steve

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, June 04, 2009 7:02 AM by Nicholas Blaney

Greetings all,

I have been looking through this blog and i have seen a variety of resources. Overall this blog is very well structered and i think this blog also has very good ethics within. The information is also relevant to the subject of the blog thus making this blog very good and useful for those with the problem of the Printer Spooler

Regards Nicholas Blaney

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, June 11, 2009 4:44 AM by Peter Allison

A restart failed to fix the problem (no printers listed) but once I used the 'Fix it' tool all was fine- printers miraculously reappeared!

Is this a permanent fix or will I have to constantly apply it?!

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, June 11, 2009 11:53 AM by slight

Peter,

This should be a one time application.

/Steve

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Monday, June 15, 2009 10:28 AM by Bert

A brief history.  I hope it is accurate.

1.  I tried to install a printer on my computer at a new job.  It was not successful and I got a printer spooler error.

2.  My printer at home stopped working.

3.  I deleted all printer drivers per a suggestion somewhere and then started getting "The RPC server is unavailable" when turning computer on.

4. Tried to turn print spooler on - got a 1068 error.

5. I ran the FixPrintSpooler.msi and it failed to process and had a link to this blog.

6.  I came to this blog saw what appeared to be a link to an improved fix (fix-print-spooler.aspx) and it just reloads this blog page.

PS My printer is also a scanner, copier, and fax.  The other day I could not send a fax.  thsi may or may not be related.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:22 AM by slight

Bert,

At the top of this blog there is link to the KB article for the Fix it package: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2000007

/Steve

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 3:18 PM by Mario Jaconelli

Absolutely brilliant.

After lots of searching this blog done the buisiness

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Friday, June 19, 2009 3:59 AM by Anthony Ong

Request to participate in the process!!!

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 9:39 AM by alan

I used the fix it tool you provided which seems to have wiped out all of my printers.  I've downloaded two.  One command says there are no printers and another says that they're already on the computer.  I don't understand.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:18 AM by Jeannie

I have tried the Fix It solution, as well as all the manual fixes I can possibly find.  Nothing works!  Any other ideas???

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 5:40 PM by Stuart Scott

Evrytime I try this it fails and I get error code 2738, any suugestions?

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:36 PM by Jesse Bunge

Brilliant tool, whoever made this is a champion. It would have saved me god-knows how long messing around in the registry, thanks a million.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 3:09 AM by Grant

I am using the Windows 7 RC and something messed up my print spooler. I can't get it to run. Fixit gives me an error that says it doesn't apply to my system. Does anyone have any ideas? I've read through several forums and can't find anything that has worked so far. Please help!

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Saturday, June 27, 2009 12:37 AM by chris

I have spent hours & hours trying to fix my "printer spooler service in not running" issue. I have blogged, went to tech sites, had long tech chat emails, very long, spent time in the registry (very scary place for a new-b to be!)...tried everything they suggested, nothing worked! Tonight I STUMBELED into the Fix It, used it and I can print for the 1st time in over a month...did I mention long chats? THANK YOU!!

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Monday, June 29, 2009 12:41 AM by mick

tried fix it in both modes ,but still get message   print  spooling service not running

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 3:20 AM by amit neelwarne

Fix the print spooler error by editing registry

in safe mode.

The only reason of this error is some printer files conflicting with adobe acrobat professional.

so if u have adobe acrobat professional please uninstall it and just install adobe acrobat reader for better performance

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Friday, July 03, 2009 12:32 PM by SHELLY GOODSON!!!

THIS WORKS!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!! I have been going crazy trying to fix this!!!

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Friday, July 03, 2009 12:32 PM by SHELLY GOODSON!!!

THIS WORKS!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!! I have been going crazy trying to fix this!!!

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, July 07, 2009 2:22 PM by Lynne Wolfe

Used this, fixed it. Vista SP2 ran...it broke the spooler again, ran this tool, added printers back, all is well! Awesome tool Thanks! Only wish I didn't have to dig though so many different posts on different sites till I finally found this one.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:00 AM by Lynne Wolfe

Spoke too soon! (see above post) Using Vista Ultimate, ran this fix, I rebooted, added the printers and it was fixed. User shut down for the night, when it came back up the print spooler problem was back.  If you have a solution: Please post! Now my user hates Vista and we are looking for an alternative OS. I've already invested TOO many hours in this problem!

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Wednesday, July 08, 2009 4:48 PM by Luis Rodriguez

I fix the spooler problem with the Fix. Now my acrobat reader and professional are corrupted. Any ideas how to make this work?

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Saturday, July 11, 2009 7:15 PM by Ian Hutcheson

You guys are great. Most grateful.

I found that the "heavy" version was needed

Excellent ! Thanks for saving the day.

Removing Acrobat and defragging created the problem I think.

I was about to give up after complete Epson uninstall (18 processes to do), and restarting print spoiler in Admin Tools, Services, and attemting reinstalling original software from CD left me with no printer installed, (as spoiler stopped itself in mid process each time).

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Saturday, July 11, 2009 10:48 PM by Chris

I tried the "fix it" patch. It wiped my printer drivers as expected, I loaded it up, it worked. However, everytime I try printing a pdf it crashes the spooler and I'm at square one all over again, any suggestions?  I'm using Vista Home Premium and the most updated acrobat reader.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Monday, July 13, 2009 7:38 PM by Brian

Can this tool be scripted to deploy using one of the modes without being prompted?

We have Vista on over 50 machines that have had similar issues, but not these types of error messages.

We have intermittant issues where the completed print job will not clear the queue and then every subsequent print job is delayed by several minutes, if it prints out at all.

I'm thinking it would be nice to use this tool to delete all printers and drivers off the Vista machines and would rather not have to do this manually on each box.

Thanks.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 7:51 PM by ioniapcwizard

I tried the Fix It tool on error 1075 and it did not work. I tried the manual removing the contents of the 'Printers directory and the Drivers\w32x86 folders and editing the registry. Neither worked...still need a fix.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:10 PM by Ray Christian

My computer will not except the fix it tool. an error messge tells me the system administrator has blocked this action......Can anyone in the world tell me how to fix this problem........none of the solutions in this blog have worked for me

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:46 PM by Brian

Ray,

Are you an administrator on that machine? If so, try turning of UAC. Google it if you are not familiar with how to do so. Hope that helps.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:39 PM by Nestor Gonzalez

Go to  Help and Support write down "print spool service" at SEARCH box and click wait for answer you'll see 15 answer or moore read it and after you look all solution and choose "fix it for me" note:read carefully not like reading a magazine  I click FIX THE PROBLEM and follow the instruction it will be easy to fix ,hope helps

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Monday, July 20, 2009 8:05 AM by Omer Langlais Jr

Help!

I have run the fix Print Spooler a number of times.

I can print Exel documents but when I try to print a web document, I get the spooler sub system error and my computer is dead.

I have WindowsXP and I the heavy version a couple of times.

Can you help?

Thank you

Omer Langlais Jr

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 7:15 PM by Steve

This "FIX IT" had no effect for me. Still having troubles.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 10:53 AM by Jaz5462

Fix it has not done the job for me.

I'm running XP windows. As I'm running

the  fix it program I get an error message

that states "Malicious Script Detection"

file Msiexec.exe

After this error message appears I try to override twice, then it comes back to say

that fix it was unable to finish.

I wrote on this blog yesturday and I still

haven't heard from you guys.

Thank you for reading....

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 11:22 AM by Larry

OK How do I get the software?

I see links that go to links but no software

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, July 30, 2009 9:54 AM by Michael

Does anyone have any idea as to why Symantec CSP would cause print spooler issues.  We oringally thought that it was SAV but when we uninstalled CSP the problem went away.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, August 06, 2009 11:50 PM by DVD To Blackberry Converter

Cannot resolve media player and for- mentioned problems.please help me to fix my drivers Thank you.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Friday, August 07, 2009 2:24 PM by Edward Aho

I have a Dell Dimension 3000 Desktop running Windows XP Professional SP3 and a Dell 720 Color photo printer connected via USB port.  My documents print completely but will not clear spooler with status "Deleting - Printed - Printing".  If I turn the printer off for 10 sec and then turn back it back on the document will clear and I can continue printing the next document.  I do not have "Retain documents after printing" selected,  I have tried deleting and reinstalling the printer software and driver numerous times.  I have tried stopping and restarting the spooler.  I have tried deleting files in "C:Windows\System32\Drivers\Printers".  I have tried running the "Fix It" program light and full. Then rebooting the computer and reinstalling the Dell 720 printer software and driver.  I have tried using another USB cable. Nothing I have tried has solved the problem.  Documents continue to remain in spooler que after printing and hold up other print jobs.

Anyone have any other ideas besides changing driver to print directly to printer?

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 2:56 AM by aurea-jewel Walker

looking for 3 weeks asking how to fix the print spooler services,for windows xp Pro.but all I have seen meanwhile are at best speculations.How it this happent to thpousnads of users but no information has a near fix.So how did it happen in the first place we booted up and thjere it was,no printer can install and cant find a clear fix,the FIX it is fraudlent as far as we witnessed it did nothing.So are there any Tech or familuar users out there that have the knowledge to fix the problem.Then we have Vista and no printer downloads,can communicate from computer to printer?.if you cant fix it why comment.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 2:56 AM by aurea-jewel Walker

looking for 3 weeks asking how to fix the print spooler services,for windows xp Pro.but all I have seen meanwhile are at best speculations.How it this happent to thpousnads of users but no information has a near fix.So how did it happen in the first place we booted up and thjere it was,no printer can install and cant find a clear fix,the FIX it is fraudlent as far as we witnessed it did nothing.So are there any Tech or familuar users out there that have the knowledge to fix the problem.Then we have Vista and no printer downloads,can communicate from computer to printer?.if you cant fix it why comment.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Monday, August 31, 2009 4:17 AM by ilango

printer spooler error

its irritating for everyone but no one is solve this prob still people are waiting.

Hey guys kindly gv me a clear solution which will correct this issu.

thanks in advance

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Wednesday, September 02, 2009 11:18 AM by Pete

I had the same problem:

Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running.

tried all the manual fixes, no help.

went to: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2000007

downloaded the program to a flash drive, then ran it on the offending computer.

Problem Fixed.

I also have a fix for magicjack problems on my website.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Thursday, October 01, 2009 9:36 AM by andy benham

Just fixed my computer using your print spooler restarting thingy, very very much appreciated and very easy to use. Thanks.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Friday, October 02, 2009 12:15 AM by Roger Lehmann

This fix worked.  How about adding it to the Printer troubleshooter?

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Sunday, October 18, 2009 7:13 PM by Teegan

My printer has a document sitting in the print queue with the statius as deleting, the job is 14.6MB. It's been sitting like this for nearly a week now. I have deleted the printer and re-installed it. I've stoped and started the spooler and also checked that there is no files in the spooler folder (I was informed that I should delete these if any and that would clear the queue also), but nothing I do is getting rid of the job and I can't print anything else.. I have just tried this fix it and i still can't print. Is there any other way to clear this job? Please help me.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:44 AM by Dustin Cook

Thank you, Fix it Team!

This Fix it (in Full mode) solved a very annoying problem we were having. The Printers and Faxes folder showed that no print jobs were queued and the printer was online. Word and Excel 2007, however, said there were five print jobs and the printer was offline.

Now it's fixed, and you saved my team a lot of time and effort.

# re: Fix Print Spooler

Friday, October 23, 2009 4:18 AM by Window stickers

Its really easy to utilize and thanks for sharing it.

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