Can't add printer. Print Spooler crashes. Error code 0x000006be

Question

So, I've spent several hours working on this problem and nothing seems to help. 

I have Windows Vista Ultimate SP1.  Whenever I try to add a printer, check server properties, or anything else related to printing, I simply get the error "windows can't add printer [or "server properties cannot be viewed']. The local print spooler service is not running.  Please restart the spooler or restart the machine."

When I restart the spooler via administration tools/services or the command prompt (this is supposedly successful) and try to add a printer again, I receive the error message "Operation cannot be completed (error 0x000006be)" and the spooler promptly crashes again.  This just started happening suddenly, and not because I tried to install any certain printer.  If it helps, I have been using a Dell Photo Printer 720, but I have used it in the past with the same system, OS, and driver without problems.

I have searched for solutions everywhere, and so far have removed any traces of printer drivers from the system in case a corrupted file is crashing the spooler. 

So far, I have:

 1. Removed any printers that could be uninstalled from Add and Remove Programs

 2. Cleared out the Windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86and **Windows\system32\spool\printers**folders

 3. Removed subkeys in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Drivers and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printersregistry keys

 4. Removed non-default subkeys in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitorsregistry key

Is there anything else that I could possibly do to fix this problem?  Is it possible the spooler app itself has a problem?  Or am I missing something that is messing it up?  Any help would be REALLY appreciated!

Answer 1

Hello urrghhvista,

Try this:

1. Click Start> Select Control Panel> In Programs And Features> select Turn Windows Features On Or Off.
2. Click + sign of Print Services.
3. Select LPD and LPR. You should remove Internet Printing Client. Restart your PC to ensure there is no error in the spooler service.
4. Try to install your printer driver/software again.

Hope this helps you. Let us know either way. Make it a great day!

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"In the End The Love You Take, Is Equal To The Love You Make" (The Beatles last song from thier last album, Abbey Road.)

Answer 2

Mine were already off and I have the same problem. My hard drive crashed and I replaced the hard drive and used my recovery disks to get my laptop back up and running. Then the next day, my printer didn't work anymore and now have this same problem.

Answer 3

I did all of the above and still get exactly the same results.  Am I to understand that after doing this, I am to re-install drivers?