Print Spooler won't start (error 1053) after recent wave of updates to Win7 64-bit

Anonymous
2012-12-14T05:57:12+00:00

Hi, all.

I have exactly the same print spooler symptoms that many seem to have but none of the posted solutions worked.  I think the issues started at the end of November when I let Windows Update install the latest .NET updates and security updates.

Yes. I cleared out the \printers directory (nothing there)

Yes. I ran the SFC /scannow. All verified.

Yes. I checked my dependencies (just RPC and http and both running)

Yes. I checked the event log file. (the canon driver crashed a couple of times but the last time was back in March)

I just finished spending the day doing a "repair install" (re-installed the OS as an upgrade on top of itself).  That fixed the problem and I had my printer back for about 30 mins, but it broke again as Windows Update caught up with the 110 updates that it needed since SP1.

At this point, I'm almost certain one of the windows or .NET updates is causing this.  If anyone could figure out which one it is then I'd just re-install again and skip it.

Any more ideas?

Thanks,

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2012-12-29T07:45:18+00:00

Fixing this issue is very simple. Here was what I've done to start the Print Spooler:

  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).

Hope this helps!

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-12-31T14:19:11+00:00

    Gwen

    An interesting contribution.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-31T13:58:03+00:00

    My solution did not hold up after awhile but Gwen's is working for me too!  Thank you!

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-12-31T06:20:53+00:00

    Woo! Hoo!

    Gwen, de-selecting the "Allow service to interact with desktop" seems to have worked.  Of course, many things have seemed to work the first time I tried them just to fail again after a re-boot, but this was the first where I could apply the change immediately and BAM! my printer is back.

    Thanks so much!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-12-29T11:02:22+00:00

    You misunderstand.

    The majority of print spooler problems arise after trying to print pdf files and / or internet web pages.

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