Server 2016 RDS Print Spooler Issues

Scott Fitzgerald 1 Reputation point
2021-06-24T19:56:42.287+00:00

Having a strange issue with a Microsoft Server 2016 RDS server. I have two RDS servers, one Broker Farm. One of the RDS servers is working perfectly fine. The other I can't even access the Printers section of the control panel otherwise the whole explorer window will freeze and I will get an application hang error.

If I restart the print spooler the Printers option becomes available. I need to be able to access the Printers section of Windows...

Troubleshooting -

I've run sfc, dism, print spool repairer. No such luck with any of them. Any ideas on how to fix the printing issue?

Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop
A Microsoft app that connects remotely to computers and to virtual apps and desktops.
3,243 questions
Windows Server Printing
Windows Server Printing
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Printing: Printer centralized deployment and management, scan and fax resources management, and document services
534 questions

4 answers

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  1. Andy YOU 2,941 Reputation points
    2021-06-28T14:26:14.763+00:00

    HI

    Is there anything to help you?

  2. Scott Fitzgerald 1 Reputation point
    2021-06-28T14:56:16.89+00:00

    I actually found the fix after scouring for a little while. Was three simple PowerShell commands:

    net stop spooler
    Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Providers\Client Side Rendering Print Provider*" –Recurse
    net start spooler

    Thank you for your help though. Much appreciated.

  3. Ven Shuda 1 Reputation point
    2021-08-12T20:13:55.337+00:00

    Hi,

    My Explorer Window freezes when I try to access Devices and Printers. I will try the command mentioned by Scott after I backup Regedit, of course.

    More context:
    * This is a Windows server 2016
    * Server received PrintNightmare patch last month
    * Issue observed while someone was doing maintenance on a backup solution installed on that server. Not confirmed if related/cause of break.

    net stop spooler
    Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Providers\Client Side Rendering Print Provider*" –Recurse
    net start spooler

  4. Dave Ketter 1 Reputation point
    2022-02-17T14:47:41.48+00:00

    This worked for me on a Server 2019 box too. Thank you very much for posting!!!