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fix print spooler after recent windows update

Stewart Granfield 20 Reputation points
2026-03-30T21:02:46.8566667+00:00

My computer performed an update yesterday and I'm now unable to print to any of the printers. The error reads that print spooler needs to be restarted. When I turn it back on from the task manger services window, it remains on until I open any printer application. I can't print to PDF or any stand alone printer.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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2026-03-30T21:02:58.5+00:00

Follow these steps in order, as the update likely corrupted the Print Spooler or a printer driver:

  1. Restart the Print Spooler service
    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.
    4. Try printing again (including to PDF). If the service stops as soon as printing starts, continue with the next steps.
  2. Clear and reset the Print Spooler
    1. Press Windows key and type services, then open Services.
    2. Double‑click Print Spooler.
    3. Select Stop, then OK.
    4. Press Windows key + R, type %WINDIR%\system32\spool\PRINTERS and press Enter.
    5. Delete all files in that PRINTERS folder (do not delete the folder itself).
    6. Go back to Services, double‑click Print Spooler again.
    7. Select Start and set Startup type to Automatic, then select OK.
    8. Test printing again.
  3. Update or reinstall printer drivers A recent Windows update can expose issues in older or incompatible drivers.
    1. Select Start > Device Manager.
    2. Expand Printers (or Print queues).
    3. For each physical printer and any PDF printer:
      • Right‑click and select Update driver and let Windows search.
      • If issues persist, right‑click and select Uninstall device, then restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the drivers automatically.
  4. Check for system or policy issues if the spooler still stops
    1. Open Services and confirm Print Spooler is set to Automatic and is Running.
    2. If it repeatedly stops, check for:
      • System instability or low resources (review Event Viewer → Windows Logs → System for Print Spooler errors).
      • Any security or Group Policy settings that might be configured to stop or disable the Print Spooler (common in managed/enterprise environments).

After these steps, the spooler should remain running when opening printer dialogs and printing to both physical printers and PDF. If it still crashes immediately, focus on identifying a specific printer driver that triggers the crash by disabling/uninstalling printers one by one and testing after each change.

References:

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  1. Stewart Granfield 20 Reputation points
    2026-03-30T21:15:53.8266667+00:00

    I've tried deleting my print drivers. Each time I delete them and restart spooler they all reappear as disconnected

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  2. Manoel Barros 18,930 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-03-30T23:15:15.83+00:00

    Hi! There's a chance that one of your printer drivers is causing this print spooling problem. Try a clean reinstall of the printer drivers and then start the spooler.

    1. Open Windows Settings (press WINDOWS + I keys) > Devices > Printers and Scanners > Remove your printer.
    2. Open Run again > Type "regedit" > Copy the path below > Paste it in the Registry Editor Address Bar, under the "File" Menu, "Edit"...

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows x64

    1. Expand the Drivers folder > In the "Version-3" and "Version-4" folders, delete drivers with the name and manufacturer of your printer (Right-Click > Delete).
    2. Expand the Printers folder, in Environments, and delete your printer as well.
    3. Press Windows + R > Type “%windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS” > Delete all the contents of the folder.
    4. Restart your computer after these changes >Press Windows + R > Type services.msc > Locate the spooler service > Start it.
    5. Install the printer driver.

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