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
    2013-01-24T11:55:35+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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  2. Anonymous
    2013-01-13T16:19:05+00:00

    Hi, all.

    After two weeks, several re-boots, and having automatic Windows Updates install, Gwen's answer seems to have fixed this problem permanently for me. 

    I didn't not try the idea to do a repair install of MS Office and that might be the true root cause for folks who want to look at this further.  I just wanted my printer to re-appear and now it has...

    I'm going to mark Gwen's reply as the answer to this thread.  If I understand how things work here, that may reduce the amount of expert traffic that the thread sees and those of you still having trouble may need to start your own problem thread.

    Bye,

    TheWB

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-12T13:29:04+00:00

    Sue

    It may not be a Windows problem. Is the problem you had caused by a pdf file or trying to print a web page?

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-01-12T09:16:51+00:00

    This appears to have worked for me and at least was quicker than some of the other methods I have tried - mym installed printer reappeared not needing troubleshooting - just hope it lasts - why windows cannot send out a permanent fix for this I don't know

    • had no problems with Vista - only with new laptop and Windows 7

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