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Windows 7 Professional, 32bit. Printer Spooler Problem. Cannot print.

Anonymous
2010-03-12T21:02:21+00:00

I have Windows 7 Professional, 32 bit. I did a clean install from Vista.

I am basically not able to add a printer, because of the multiple errors I get.

If I go to Printers->Add Printer. I receive error: "Windows can't open Add Printer. The local print spooler serviceis not running. Please restart the spooler or restart the machine".So I go to Run->Services.msc  and manually restart and 'Start' the Printer Spooler.

So now the Add Printer dialog box comes up and I choose to add a local printer...there are no existing ports to choosefrom and it doesn't allow me to create a new port. (I have to restart and start the spooler each time before being ableto successfully open the Add Printer dialog box). (The printer spooler also somehow 'stops' shortly after I 'start' it.

So I go back and try to add a network printer. I see my network printer hosted on the network drive, I click on theprinter and after I select the printer it starts to try and install it, but quickly produces the error message:"Windows cannot connect to the printer. The local print spooler service is not running. Please restart the spooler or restart the machine".

I have absolutely no idea what could be causing this problem. And yes I have tried the Microsoft Call Support, the rep had no idea what was causing it.

And the Print Spooler's dependencies are listed below:This service depends on the following system components:Remote Procedure Call

The following system components depend on this service:Fax

So any ideas why I can't print?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-03-14T19:23:19+00:00

    Hi j8636,

    As the print spooler service stops automatically, I would suggest you run a virus/malware scan.

    Run a virus/malware scan and get back to us.

    Microsoft Security Essentials

    http://www.microsoft.com/Security\_Essentials/

    How to get rid of malware by MVP Vincenzo

    http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistasecurity/thread/ba80504b-61f1-4d71-960f-b561798b7b42

    Regards,

    Gulrez

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2010-04-10T15:24:09+00:00

    I get the same problem as j8636. The spooler automatically stops working shortly after i start it. I pretty much have to start the spooler manually everytime i want to print one item. This is insane!!! I ran virus/malware scans and nothing shows. Someone please help!

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-03-14T05:58:57+00:00

    It is any printer I try to install. Its a spooler problem, not a printer problem.

    But I am using a Samsung CLP510 on the network.

    I followed your steps (as I mentioned in my post) but it continually turns itself off and refuses to work.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-03-13T14:36:15+00:00

    Hi j8636,

    ** What is the model number of the printer?

    ** Are you trying to install it for the first time?

    Try using the “Printer troubleshooter” to fix the problem automatically.

    For information on “Printer troubleshooter”, click here.

    Since you have to start the “print spooler” service every time, I would suggest you check if “print spooler” service start type is set to automatic.

    To make the Spooler service startup type as automatic, follow these steps:

    1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
    2. Double-click Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
    3. Double-click the Printer Spooler service, and then change the startup type to Automatic. This sets the Spooler service to start automatically when you restart the computer.
    4. If you want to start the spooler service immediately, click Start under the Service Status field.

    Please get back to us with the results so that we can troubleshoot accordingly.

    Regards,

    Gulrez

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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