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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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-01-18T00:42:06+00:00

    In the last December of Windows Updates, Microsoft installed Internet Explorer 11. IE11 had been causing printer problems.

    Open Internet Explorer, click on Help, then click on About Internet Explorer. It should show the version there. If you have IE11, then go to control panel, Windows Update, Installed Updates, look for Internet Explorer 11. Click on Internet Explorer 11, uninstall.

    Restart the computer, when prompted. Then see if your printer works.

    Rick

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-17T23:48:00+00:00

    Hi Gerry, I've been thru the loop you suggest so many times my head is spinning. Joe's post also suggests deleting the driver files and my question was does that include the sub-folders under the Driver folder.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-17T23:09:48+00:00

    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. If it has stopped check that just starting 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.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-17T21:59:30+00:00

    Hi Joe,  I'm reading your print spooler problem from 2010. When you say remove the contents of the drivers folder, does that include the subfolders listed under drivers?

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