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Print job stuck in "spooling" state

Anonymous
2014-10-29T09:00:31+00:00

Hi,

I'm having this weird problem in several computers, after I print a document (from any application - word, notepad, pdf reader) the job is sent to the printer queue and stuck there in "spooling" mode, also the program is stuck (not responding) until I force close it.

I've tried to restart the print spooling service through services.msc and tried to do net stop spooler, delete all the files under spool/PRINTERS and net start spooler. Nothing helps! I've also tried to re-install the printer driver (HP LaserJet) with no use. While the print job is stucked I can scan with the printer so it's not a communication problem.

The only way to temporary fix the problem is to restart the computer, but even after that the problem returns after about half hour.

Please HELP!

Thank you!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-11-01T11:59:08+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for keeping us updated on the issue.

    Follow the steps below and let us know if it fixes the issue:

    Move numbered folders and restart the print spooler

    Move numbered folders to a temporary folder

    To move numbered folders left over from a failed driver upgrade:

    1. In the Windows\system32\spool\drivers\ folder, look in each of the IA64, W32X86, and x64 folders for the presence of a folder named "3" that contains a large number of numbered folders (\W32X86\3\1, \W32X86\3\2, \W32X86\3\3, and so on).
    2. If there are a large number of numbered folders inside the "3" folder, move those folders to a temporary folder such as C:\Temp.
    3. After moving the folders, restart the Print Spooler service by using the procedure in the following section.

    Restart the print spooler

    To start or restart the Print Spooler service:

    1. Press “Windows key” + “R”.
    2. Type Services.msc
    3. Locate the Print Spooler service in the list of services, and then confirm that its status is started.
    4. If its status is not started, select the service and then click Start on the Action menu.

    Note: You can also do this from an elevated Command Prompt window by typing the following command: net stop spooler && net start spooler

    In some instances, you might receive Error 1068 – "The dependency service or group failed to start" – when attempting to start the Print Spooler.

    This can happen if the Print Spooler service relies on other services that are not running. To resolve this issue:

    1. Press “Windows Key” + “R”
    2. Type Services.msc
    3. Right-click Print Spooler and then click Properties.
    4. Click the Dependencies tab.
    5. The first box lists all of the system services that must be running for the print spooler to start. These are the dependencies.
    6. Make a note of each service, click OK, and then start each service that the print spooler depends on, if the service is not already started.
    7. If a particular service is not already started, right-click it, click Properties, and then confirm that the Startup type is Automatic.

    Hope this information help, get back to us if you need further assistance with Windows.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-10-30T09:09:03+00:00

    Try updating the printer drivers/software and then check. If no update is available/update failed to resolve the issue, reinstall the software: uninstall the software, restart the PC, install the software, restart the PC and then check.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-30T08:55:29+00:00

    Hi,

    Thanks for the reply!

    As for your questions:

    1. I'm having the same problem from two different computers and two different printers (Same model)
    2. The printer is HP LaserJet 1536
    3. I can print successfully until it is stuck, and when the job is stuck on the printer I can print to a different printer
    4. After the restart everything work fine for a while, and then it happens again

    Thank you for your help!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-30T06:46:28+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

    I understand that the Printer status stuck at spooling mode.

    For better understanding of the issue, I would need more information from your end.

    1. Are you facing this issue with any other Printer?
    2. What is the make and model of Printer?
    3. Are you able to print the documents successfully?
    4. After restarting the computer is it working fine?

    You may refer to the article below for further information:

    Print Jobs from Your HP Printer are stuck in the Print Queue

    http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c02205477#N1119

    Hope this information help, get back to us if you need further assistance with Windows.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-30T06:56:15+00:00

    Try running Microsoft Fixit from the following link and then check:

    http://support2.microsoft.com/mats/printing\_problems/

    Additionally, you can clear any files inside C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printersand then try printing.

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