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

Anonymous
2011-05-15T16:41:33+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2011-05-16T09:29:28+00:00

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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  1. Anonymous
    2013-09-12T01:11:22+00:00

    Hello,

    I have a problem with all my printers.

    Initially, I had a problem with the spooler - it couldn't start because the dependency service wouldn't. I looked at the dependency services, and deleted the line that said http. After that, the spooler was ok, but all my printers have disappeared, including pdf, office image, etc.

    I can see that printer is connected properly, because the scanner works (I have a multifuntion). When I try to add a printer, it goes to the the Choose the printer port, and nothing shows up on the drop down box in Use Existing Port menu.

    In my Devices list, I can see the both Printer and Fax showing as other devices, and when I try to install a driver, it ends up with the error.

    System restore doesn't work.

    Can someone please help?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-07-16T13:58:25+00:00

    Peet

    What service pack?

    This update released in August 2012 addresses a number of printing issues:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2647753

    The update proved to be problematic when it came to installing.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-07-16T10:31:18+00:00

    The service pack did the trick. It's quite interesting though, because I never heard of a print spooler not working. Microsoft and it's problems....

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-07-15T17:32:54+00:00

    Please provide a copy of your System Information file. Type System Information in the Search Box above the start Button and press the ENTER key. Select File, Export and give the file a name noting where it is located. Please upload to your Sky Drive, share with everyone and post a link here. Please say if the report has been obtained in safe mode.

    Please upload and share with everyone copies of your System and Application logs from your Event Viewer to your Sky Drive and post a link here.

    To access the System log select Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer, from the list in the left side of the window select Windows Logs and System. Place the cursor on System, select Action from the Menu and Save All Events as (the default evtx file type) and give the file a name. Do the same for the Applications log. Do not provide filtered files.

    For help with Sky Drive see paragraph 9.3:

    http://www.gerryscomputertips.co.uk/MicrosoftCommunity1.htm

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