Print Spooler won't start (error 1053) after recent wave of updates to Win7 64-bit

Question

Hi, all.

I have exactly the same print spooler symptoms that many seem to have but none of the posted solutions worked.  I think the issues started at the end of November when I let Windows Update install the latest .NET updates and security updates.

Yes. I cleared out the \printers directory (nothing there)

Yes. I ran the SFC /scannow. All verified.

Yes. I checked my dependencies (just RPC and http and both running)

Yes. I checked the event log file. (the canon driver crashed a couple of times but the last time was back in March)

I just finished spending the day doing a "repair install" (re-installed the OS as an upgrade on top of itself).  That fixed the problem and I had my printer back for about 30 mins, but it broke again as Windows Update caught up with the 110 updates that it needed since SP1.

At this point, I'm almost certain one of the windows or .NET updates is causing this.  If anyone could figure out which one it is then I'd just re-install again and skip it.

Any more ideas?

Thanks,

Answer 1

Fixing this issue is very simple. Here was what I've done to start the Print Spooler:

1. Click Start, type “services.msc” and hit Enter.
2. Scroll down to Print spooler.
3. Right-click Print spooler, then select Properties.
4. Select the Log On tab, and uncheck the Allow service to interact with desktop setting.

(Microsoft recommends that you do not change the Allow service to interact with desktop setting. If you allow the service to interact with the desktop, any information that the service displays on the desktop will also be displayed on an interactive user's desktop. A malicious user could then take control of the service or attack it from the interactive desktop).

5. Once you have uncheck this setting, select the General tab and click "Start" (the Print Spooler should be able to start without popping up the Error 1053 again).

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

​Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community forum.

From the problem description, I see that you have an issue with printer and receive error message "Print Spooler won't start (error 1053)" after installing Windows Updates.

I can imagine the inconvenience you have experienced. We are here to help and guide you in the right direction.

What is the make and model number of the printer?

Method 1:

Let's first run this fixit which will help to resolve the issue.

Diagnose and fix printer and printing problems automaticallyhttp://support.microsoft.com/mats/printing\_problems/

**Method 2:**If the first method didn't fix the issue you may try the steps in the article and check if it helps.

Printer problems in Windows

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/printer-problems-in-windows

Method 3:

If the issue persists you may try to restart the print spooler service and check if it helps.

a. Click Start, type “services.msc” and hit Enter.

b. Scroll down to Print spooler.

c. Stop the print spooler service.

d. Start the spooler service again.

Do get back to us and let us know the status of the issue, I will be glad to help you further. We, at Microsoft strive towards excellence.

Answer 3

Thanks for the reply.

It's a Canon MG5320 and has been running fine for months.  I don't think it's just that printer though.  All of the printers disappeared with this issue (the XPS printer, Fax printer, and the PDF printer that Quicken installs are all gone.  If a click the "Add printer" I just get an error message that the print spooler in not running.

I tried all of those again. (I'd already tried them when looking through the previous answers.)

Both Fix-its say the "Print Spooler is not running...Not Fixed".

The Print Driver won't update without the Print Spooler running so I can't do that step in Method 2.

I've manually tried to start the service before.  It just gives the Error 1053 when I go through those steps.

Answer 4

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.

Check whether it has stopped and that just starting it 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.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprohardware/thread/2b618d54-854a-4cfd-84f5-f069aad75a9f

Answer 5

Thanks, Gerry.

I had already tried to manually start the Print Spooler service and set it to Automatic.  That's when it gives me the Error 1053 -- Service did not start in a timely manner.

I've also been checking the \printer directory since that seemed to help people with a similar problem on this forum.  I checked it again and it's empty.

Also, I have Windows MSE running and ran a scan yesterday.  I also ran scans with Kaspersky's standalone scanner and with MalwareByte's Anti-Malware.  I had run a 'Full Scan" and Anti-Malware found a "trojan", but it was a non-executable file in my recycle bin.  I bet it was just a random signature match, but I removed it anyway.

I uninstalled .NET (I'm sure that will break something, but getting my printer working is more important right now).  I did an "Update in Place" re-install of the OS and made sure that all the updates were turned off.  All the XPS and fax printers were back in the devices list and I could install the CANON printer driver (native in SP1) and print a test page, but then, it all disappeared again on the first reboot after the OS load.

I looked at my "installed update" list and there are still about 30x Office 10 updates and Windows Hotfix 2534111 that loaded despite having updates turned off.  Does anyone know how to turn off Office updates so that I can keep debugging?

The only other thing that I've loaded since Thanksgiving when I know things were working is iTunes v11.  Anyone heard of problems with that update?