why does print spooler keep getting turned off

Question

Print spooler keeps getting turned off . Print devices only give save as PDF as an option. Have to go to Task Manager and turn it on in Services.

Answer 1

The Print Spooler service may keep turning off due to several reasons:

1. System Instability or Resource Issues: If your system is unstable or has insufficient resources, the Print Spooler service might fail to start or may stop unexpectedly. Checking the event logs for errors related to the local print provider can help identify such issues.
2. Conflicts with Anti-Virus Software: Sometimes, anti-virus software can interfere with the Print Spooler service. Ensure that your anti-virus is not blocking any files necessary for the Print Spooler to function properly.
3. Group Policy Settings: If there are Group Policy settings in place that disable or stop the Print Spooler service, this could be a reason for it turning off. It’s important to check if any Group Policy Object (GPO) is affecting the service.
4. Outdated Drivers: If the drivers for your printers are outdated, it may cause the Print Spooler service to stop responding. Keeping your drivers updated can help prevent this issue.
5. Corrupted Files in the Spool Folder: If there are old or corrupted files in the Spool folder, it may cause the Print Spooler to crash. You can check the Spool folder (located at systemroot\System32\Spool\Printers) and remove any old files to see if that resolves the issue.

To troubleshoot, you can try restarting the Print Spooler service manually or using Command Prompt or PowerShell. If the issue persists, consider looking into the mentioned factors to identify the root cause.

Answer 2

Completely uninstall your printer, then restart (not shut down) your PC.

Then, go to the support page for your printer on the manufacturers website and from there, manually download and re-install the version of printer drivers, firmware and associated software they provide for your printer model.