Windows 7 printer spooler stopped and can't print re-install drivers or add a printer

Anonymous

Original title: Windows 7: Print spooler fails, can't print with printers, can't re-install drivers for printers, can't add a printer. Basically everything for printers is no more.

This all started after the lates batch of May Windows 7 fixes were automatically installed.

Ran the MS 'Fix-it' but it was unsucessful; could do no more than stop and re-start the spooler service.

Tried using services to start, stop the spooler service without any luck. Shutdown the machine, rebooted numerous times, have gone back to previous restore point from a month ago.

Downloaded drivers to re-install but half way through the installation it barps - printer spooler stopped and so it aborts installing the driver.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous

I would check the status of the Print Spooler Service.

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.

I suspect that it has stopped and that just starting it will not solve the problem.

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 may 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 should resolve your problem.

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90 additional answers

Anonymous

2013-02-24T17:34:49+00:00

OK, am now printing wirelessly again. I could not re-connect the printer using the HP software but by simply "removing" and "adding" using the dialogue boxes under the "Devices and Printers" tab I was able to have it show up as the default printer. Have printed a test page and another document so I'm optimistic that the problems should be behind me.

For the record, I'm using a Toshiba, not a Dell, with Windows 7 64 Bit, and am sharing this HP printer with two other laptops (Windows XP and Windows 8) and two iPads. Only Windows 7 has given me problems and ONLY after I downloaded the 14 updates on 21 February. Bfore that it worked fine. Not really sure what the cause was but based on the number of people who have had (and are having) this problem there really should be an easier fix.

I lost two hours of my life today that I'll never get back. Time to get outside with my daughter while the weather is good.

Thanks Gerry for your help, you've given me another reason for me to buy the next Brit I see a beer.

Regards all.
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Anonymous

2013-02-24T16:56:20+00:00

Well, I'm closer, the printer is now showing up under the "devices and printers" tab, for awhile it actually had the green check as the default printer but still could not print. Had the warning triangle, tried troubleshooting and printing a few more times, no love yet. Am going to re-boot the printer and the laptop, possibly even re-install the software and see what happens.
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Anonymous

2013-02-24T16:29:27+00:00
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).
1. 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).
Source Gwen 2012 http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/profile/fb3e08a2-3038-4a44-b173-a4122e98c9b3
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Anonymous

2013-02-24T16:18:21+00:00

Wayne,

Did you ever find a fix other than going back to a previous restore point?
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