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
    2015-09-06T19:30:41+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! 

    this didn't work for me.  It tries to print but has a question mark after the word printing.....

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-12-29T19:40:22+00:00

    This is NOT a printer problem it is a MS problem. I am using Windows Technical Preview for Enterprise and for the first few months my Cannon (everyone having problems use different printers) MG2120 worked as always..no problems. We had an update a while ago and the print spooler is now out to lunch. Irregardless as to how many times I start my spooler services, it will allow me to print only as long as I do not let the printer sit idle for more than a few seconds. I have watched it go from automatic to stopped a dozen times. I have removed drivers and printers, unchecked all kinds of stuff, checked all kinds of stuff (as per other users suggestions) only to see the print spooler stopped. You fellows at Microsoft can continue to pass the buck on this but until Microsoft has corrected the issue, it will continue.

     I have had no (0) issues with the printer or the print spooler since installing Windows Technical Preview for Enterprise, I have neither added nor removed any hardware or software since the initial build. Shortly after the last update my print spooler began stopping. It really does not require a genius to figure the cause just for Microsoft to figure what is responsible for the cause.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-12-16T14:41:18+00:00

    Very helpful...thanks,,,, Paul

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-12-15T07:23:10+00:00

    PROBLEM FIXED - THANKS!!!

    "Click Start, type “services.msc” and hit Enter.

    1. Scroll down to Print spooler.
    2. Right-click Print spooler, then select Properties.
    3. 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"

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