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print job stuck in queue

Anonymous
2018-03-18T19:26:24+00:00

I have an HP Photosmart 7520 Series printer and last week tried to print a document from my computer using Windows 10 that was 47.8 MB in size.  It only printed about 1/4" on the page and the rest was blank.  I had to leave, but the next day, when I tried to print a new job and would not print, I saw that the print job from day before was still in queue, so I selected and hit delete. I cannot get the job to delete using following:

1.  rebooted computer and printer (including unplugging power cord on computer and router as printer is wireless)

2.  tried all suggestions from HP website including trying to stop printer spooler so I could delete the file, but "stop" option was disabled.

These are instructions: 

  • Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > Services >
  • Scroll down, find, andStop Print Spooler Service
  • Delete files from C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
  • Start Print Spooler Service

3.  I even tried deleting the files manually through Windows Explorer **(**C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS) but I got a message that the files were open so they could not be deleted.  This is the closest I got.

4.  I checked all settings on the printer and was able to print configuration page

I can print from my phone without a problem but I just cannot get that print job to come off the queue.

PLEASE HELP!  (I am not an expert so I appreciate explicit instructions that do not need a computer science degree)

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. DaveM121 871.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2018-03-18T19:29:15+00:00

    Hi Maria,

    Try manually clearing the Print Queue

    Click Start.

    Type cmd

    Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator“

    Run the following commands and hit enter after each one:

    net stop spooler

    del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\* /Q

    net start spooler

    The print queue on your Windows should now be cleared

    Type exit and hit Enter to close Command Prompt

    10 people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2018-04-27T18:21:22+00:00

    I tried this, no luck.

    ...\system32\spool\printers has no files in it

    However, [printername] -> queue shows the same file that has been stuck there for a month.

    This is a networked printer.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. DaveM121 871.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2018-03-19T10:16:16+00:00

    Glad to help, if you have any more questions, please contact us here at MS Community!

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-03-18T22:05:43+00:00

    Hi Maria,

    Try manually clearing the Print Queue

    Click Start.

    Type cmd

    Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator“

    Run the following commands and hit enter after each one:

    net stop spooler

    del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\* /Q

    net start spooler

    The print queue on your Windows should now be cleared

    Type exit and hit Enter to close Command Prompt

    OMG!  thank you, thank you, thank you!  Don't know if you have or are planning to have kids, but if I could, I would pay for her/his college education.  I appreciate that you gave me the information on simple terms.  I'm 68 years old and sometimes struggle with instructions that are given on community posts.

    I am making a toast to you, DaveM121, as we speak . . . . . .  CHEERS!

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