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

2011-05-16T21:24:11+00:00

Superb!!

This worked a treat.

Many thanks.

Many thanks to all contributors...
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Anonymous

2011-05-16T08:39:52+00:00
Hi,
1. What is the make and model number of your printer?
2. Were you able to print before without any issues?
3. Did you make any changes to the computer prior to this issue?
Method 1:

You can check if the printer you are using is compatible with Windows 7.

Refer the link to check compatibility:

Windows 7 Compatibility Center

Method 2:

You can try to uninstall the printer completely and try reinstalling in cleanboot state.

Step 1: Uninstall drivers from Device manager.

a. Click Start and type devmgmt.msc, and then Enter.

b. Right click on Printer driver and select Uninstall.

After uninstalling drivers from device manager you have to also uninstall the device drivers from programs and features so that it uninstalls the software completely from the computer.

Step 2: Uninstall drivers form Programs and features.

a. Click start

b. Type appwiz.cpl in Start Search

c. Search for the Printer driver and uninstall the package.

Before restarting put the system in cleanboot state and try installing the drivers

Step 3:

A clean boot helps to verify if any third party application services or startup item is causing this issue.

You may refer the following KB article to put the computer in clean boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

You can try installing the drivers and check.

Also, after resolving the issue, see the section on the clean boot link to how to return your computer to a Normal startup mode by following the steps under “Reset the computer to start as usual.

Hope this information is helpful.
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