how to delete print jobs in print queue

Question

When I simply go to "print queue" and cancel a print job it takes forever. Is there a way to delete print jobs quickly?

Answer 1

To delete stuck print jobs quickly in Windows 11, clear the queue and, if needed, reset the Print Spooler service and spool folder.

1. Cancel all print jobs from Settings
   1. Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
   2. Select your printer, then select Open print queue.
   3. Right‑click each print job and select Cancel to remove it.
2. Restart the Print Spooler service (if jobs are slow to cancel or stay stuck)
   1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
   2. Scroll down and locate Print Spooler.
   3. Right‑click Print Spooler and select Restart.
3. Manually clear the spool folder (use if the queue still won’t clear)
   1. Stop the Print Spooler service:
      • Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
      • Scroll to Print Spooler, right‑click it, and select Stop.
   2. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
   3. Delete all files in this folder (these are the pending print jobs).
   4. Start the Print Spooler service again:
      • In services.msc, right‑click Print Spooler and select Start.

After these steps, the print queue should be empty and new print jobs should process normally.

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References:

• Fix print job stuck in queue errors in Windows
• Uncommanded Printer Operation - Microsoft Q&A