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Spooler subsystem app and high CPU usage

Anonymous
2020-05-04T21:19:22+00:00

Before sending this, I have Googled the issue and have had no success; this, I am turning here for help.

Recently I have had high CPU usage on my Toshiba Laptop, Windows 10, all latest updates installed.  On checking, I found that it was the spooler subsystem that is using 26-29% CPU.  I have tried all of the fixes that I could find and the problem persists.  (1) For example, I ran the Printer Troubleshooter, and it returned no errors. (2) I checked to ensure that I have the latest drivers installed and I do.  The printer (HP ENVY 5055) prints with no problems.  (3) I stopped the spooler in Administrative Services and then tried to delete any cached print jobs at C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.  There were no jobs there.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what else may be wrong?

Thanks for any help.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-05-15T11:32:44+00:00

    Thanks for the reply, Zaki.  I will save it for future reference.

    In the meantime, I can report that the problem has disappeared.  I had turned off the spooler to avoid the problem when an update to Windows 10 came out (May 12, 2020—KB4556799 (OS Builds 18362.836 and 18363.836)).  I installed it and when  the computer restarted, the spooler did too and the CPU usage is now back to normal.  Must have been something in the update that fixed things, but in any event, I am now a happy camper.

    Thanks again for your reply.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-09-03T12:42:08+00:00

    DYMO Connect was the problem with my print spooler as well.  I uninstalled it and the problem went away!  Thanks for your post!

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2020-07-06T14:58:16+00:00

    I had this same problem, Windows 10 (version 1809, all current updates as of July 6, 2020).

    I was discouraged by the "Uninstall HP Printer Software (Windows) suggestion - because I do not have any HP printers installed.  I also have about 20 printer drivers installed for various non-HP printers.  I really did not want to Uninstall and Reinstall all of them!

    However, your suggestion pointed me in a good direction.  The last application I installed in my system was "DYMO Connect" , an application that interfaces with DYMO Label Printers. After uninstalling "DYMO Connect" my Windows spooler subsystem now behaves well.  I have to revert back to "DYMO Labels V8" to use the label printer.  I can live with that.

    Thank you for your help,

    //aj

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-05-18T06:00:52+00:00

    Hello GordMcFee,

    Glad to know that the issue is fixed and the PC is back to normal and I thank you for providing the information about how to fix it, since it might help other users with similar issues.  Please feel free to contact us back, in case you face any other issues with Windows in future.

    Regards,

    Zaki

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-05-15T05:47:47+00:00

    Hello GordMcFee,

    I understand that Spooler subsystem app is consuming too much of the CPU usage. We appreciate your efforts in troubleshooting the issue and providing us the detailed information about the issue.

    Spooler subsystem App is a process that helps manage the printer & fax systems. Whenever a program sends a document to the printer, the spooler subsystem app adds it to the print queue. The Print Spooler service saves these print jobs in memory and sends them to the printer one by one when the printer is available.

    Method 1:

    Step 1: Uninstall Printer

    I suggest you to uninstall and reinstall the printer. You can refer to the article on how to uninstall HP Printer Software (Windows)

    Step 2: Install Printer

    I suggest you to download drivers from the printer manufacturer’s website and refer to the article on how to Install a printer in Windows 10.

    **Method 2:**I suggest you to perform a full system scan using the Microsoft Safety Scanner

    Note: Microsoft Safety Scanner is a scan tool designed to find and remove malware from Windows computers. Download it, run a scan to find malware and try to reverse changes made by identified threats.

    Hope it helps.

    Regards,

    Zaki

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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