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
    2012-12-18T15:44:12+00:00

    I also tried everything to fix this problem.  I was finally able to fix "error 1053" today.

    I first installed the Microsoft.NET Framework 1 service pack 1.1 from 2004, (not the more recently published versions)

    I then restarted the Print Spooler at Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services/Print Spooler --  you can simple restart by right-clicking.

    Finally, I reinstalled my printer's drivers and everything worked as normal.....

    I hope to have lucked into solving a very confusing MS issue.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-18T03:14:59+00:00

    I also have the exact same problem, have done all of the above, still cannot print or start spooler.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-12-15T16:55:15+00:00

    Thanks, Gerry.

    I had already tried to manually start the Print Spooler service and set it to Automatic.  That's when it gives me the Error 1053 -- Service did not start in a timely manner.

    I've also been checking the \printer directory since that seemed to help people with a similar problem on this forum.  I checked it again and it's empty.

    Also, I have Windows MSE running and ran a scan yesterday.  I also ran scans with Kaspersky's standalone scanner and with MalwareByte's Anti-Malware.  I had run a 'Full Scan" and Anti-Malware found a "trojan", but it was a non-executable file in my recycle bin.  I bet it was just a random signature match, but I removed it anyway.

    I uninstalled .NET (I'm sure that will break something, but getting my printer working is more important right now).  I did an "Update in Place" re-install of the OS and made sure that all the updates were turned off.  All the XPS and fax printers were back in the devices list and I could install the CANON printer driver (native in SP1) and print a test page, but then, it all disappeared again on the first reboot after the OS load.

    I looked at my "installed update" list and there are still about 30x Office 10 updates and Windows Hotfix 2534111 that loaded despite having updates turned off.  Does anyone know how to turn off Office updates so that I can keep debugging?

    The only other thing that I've loaded since Thanksgiving when I know things were working is iTunes v11.  Anyone heard of problems with that update?

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-12-15T07:37:17+00:00

    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.

    Check whether it has stopped and that just starting it does not solve the problem. If it is not set to Automatic right click and select Properties, General tab. There is a box after StartUp type. The options are available on a drop down by clicking on the arrow down to the right of the box. Make the change and click on Apply and OK. Restart the computer and check whether it has started.

    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 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 may resolve your immediate problem.

    http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprohardware/thread/2b618d54-854a-4cfd-84f5-f069aad75a9f

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