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Print Spooler Keeps Crashing in Windows 7 Ultimate Edition

Anonymous
2009-10-27T23:35:05+00:00

Recently I upgraded my system from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate edition. Although the system overall has been working well, I've been unable to print, let alone view my printers because the print spooler service keeps crashing.

When I try printing in various programs I get an error saying I need to install a printer before printing however when selecting yes to install a printing, I get an error message saying something along the lines of not being able to add the "add printer" dialogue because I the spooler isn't running.

I've tried manually starting the service and rebooting however no matter what I try, the spooler stops running after about 10 or so seconds. On a similar note, I've tried two repair installs but to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-10-28T22:59:03+00:00

    Hi xcrunner645,

             Welcome to Windows Answers Community Forums

    •         This behavior occurs if existed printer drivers are corrupt.

         I suggest that you remove all the installed printers and reinstall the Windows 7 printer drivers if available.

    Remove a printer

    1. Click the "Start" button, type PRINTER in the search box and press Enter.
    2. Find the icons of installed printers, and delete them.
    3. Right-click on the blank part of the window, and choose "Run as administrator"->"Server Properties".
    4. On the Drivers tab, select the listed printers and click the Remove button. Please then select Remove driver and driver package.
    5. Open Start menu, input APPWIZ.CPL in the Search box and press ENTER to launch "Programs and Features".
    6. Try to remove all related printer software.

    If the issue is not resolved, I suggest that you clear the printing sub system.

    Step 1

    ======

    Start Windows Explorer, and then rename all files and folders in the following two folders:

    c:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86

    To rename a file, we can right click the file and select Rename.

    Step 2

    ======

    1. Click Start, type REGEDIT in the Start Search Bar, and then press ENTER.
    2. Navigate to and then click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environment\Windows NT x86

    View the list of subkeys. There should be only the following subkeys:

    Drivers

    Print Processors

    If there are any keys other than those listed above, follow these steps:

    a. On the File menu, click Export.

    b. In the File Name box, type a descriptive name for this key -- for example, type WindowsNTx86regkey -- and then click Save to save it to your local Desktop.

    We can use this backup of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environment\Windows NT x86 registry key to restore the key if you experience any problems after you complete this procedure.

    c. Delete all keys other than Drivers and Print Processors.

    Step 3

    ======

    Navigate to and click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors registry key. View the list of subkeys. There should be only the following subkeys:

    BJ Language Monitor

    Local Port

    Microsoft Document Imaging Writer Monitor

    Microsoft Shared Fax Monitor

    Standard TCP/IP Port

    USB Monitor

    WSD Port

    If there are any keys other than those listed in above, follow these steps to delete them:

    a. On the File menu, click Export.

    b. In the File Name box, type a descriptive name for this key -- for example, type Monitorsregkey -- and then click Save to save it to your local Desktop.

    We can use this backup of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors registry key to restore the key if you experience any problems after you complete this procedure.

    c. Delete all keys other than the 5 listed above.

    Step 4. Disconnect the printer cable from the computer, and then restart the computer.

    Step 5. Reconnect the printer cable to the computer, install the printer according to the manufacturer's installation instructions, and then check if the issue persists.

    You can also use these two articles to troubleshoot this issue:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2000007

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933454

    Hope it helps. 

    Thanks and Regards:

    Shekhar S - Microsoft Support.

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum

    http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/answersfeedback/threads/ and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-08-23T23:22:03+00:00

    I've had this problem a lot with both Windows 7 (64-bit) and Window XP. 

    There is only one solution that has worked for me, and it's not going to the "Services" and starting the Print Spooler, because the Print Spooler will just stop again within seconds or minutes.

    What has worked for me (in both XP & Window 7), is to delete the contents of the following folders:

    C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

    and

    C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers

    Once I do this, I do not have to reinstall my printers.  I just physically disconnect my local printer (unplugged the USB cable), wait a few seconds, and then reconnect it.

    Hope this helps.  Let me know.

    If it does, spread it around.

     - Joe

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-10-11T18:42:01+00:00

    I've tried this, but it doesn't work for me. It might for a few hours, but then it all starts over again. Also, when I do this I have to reinstall all of my drivers.. including Adobe. We are looking at migrating to Win 7 from XP here at the office, but not if this keeps happening. There are tons of complaints about this on the web, I don't understand why there isn't a fix yet....

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-09-03T13:30:35+00:00

    This definitely worked for me, Win 7 Enterprise x86. Thanks.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-08-24T18:03:22+00:00

    Hi Joe_in_MD,

    I thank you for sharing the resolution that worked for you and I hope it will help many users on this forum.

    Thanks and Regards:

    Shekhar S - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

    If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

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