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"Printer properties cannot be displayed. The print spooler service is not running." (even when it is running)

Anonymous
2009-10-30T15:15:02+00:00

When I right click on a particular printer and try to view the Properties of it, I get the following message:

Printer properties cannot be displayed.  The print spooler service is not running

Problem is, it is running, as going to Administrative Tools -> Services in the Control Panel verifies.

One of the "printers" I have installed is "Send To OneNote 2007".  I can right click on that just fine - just not this other printer. Would I be able to do that if the print spooler wasn't running?

Indeed, if I do disable the print spooler, *all* the printers in "Printers and Faxes" disappear.  So the fact that I'm even seeing them in the first place suggests to me that the printer spooler is running.

I posted this on microsoft.public.windowsxp.general a while ago and someone there suggested I visit this site .  Problem is, C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\PRINTERS is empty.  It's empty when the Print Spooler is running and it's empty when it isn't.

Also, I was unable to install KB896423 since I'm running SP3.  Trying to install it got me the following:

Setup has detected that the Service Pack version of this system is newer than the updates you are applying.

There is no need to install this update.

The printer is a "Local printer attached to this computer" connected via a "Standard TCP/IP Port".  Personally, I think such a printer ought to be called "A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer", but that's the terminology the "Add Printer Wizard" uses.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-11-11T18:23:07+00:00

    Hello terrafrost,

    Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Answers Community.

    What is the model number of the printer you are using?

    Printing to a "Standard TCP/IP Port, is used for a printer that is directly connected to a network, not your local system.

    I would try to uninstall your printer, and reinstall your printer.

    Hope this helps

    Chris.H

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2011-02-06T20:44:06+00:00

    I need to turn on the printer spooler , how?

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2013-06-27T16:41:48+00:00

    Click on the Start button and select Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services. Locate Print Spooler in the list. Check that it has started and that the StartUp type is Automatic. If it has stopped check that just starting does not solve the problem. If it is not set to Automatic right click and select Properties, General tab. There is a box after StartUp type. The options are available on a drop down by clicking on the arrow down to the right of the box. Make the change and click on Apply and OK. Restart the computer and check whether it has started.

    You may need to show hidden files. Type Folder Options in the search box above the Start button and select View, Advanced Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden files and folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system files" is unchecked. You need to scroll down to see the second item. You should also make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known file types" is not checked.

    Now access Windows Explorer and select c:\windows\system32\spool\printers. Normally this folder should be empty but there is a problem when files with “spl” and “shd” extensions stick there. Delete the files and restart your computer. This may resolve your immediate problem.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2011-02-06T20:48:14+00:00

    I have a Hp Deckjet F4400 series printer, My spooler is off, I need it back on , can anyone help?

    *** Email address is removed for privacy ***

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2010-10-15T21:39:21+00:00

    if there were a problem with the printer then this would be true on all machines but this is only true on the machines running XP.  my machine is running on Windows7 and has no issue.  we have 6 other machines that cannot print and they all are running XP.  Any other suggestions?

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