Printer spooler won't start at startup - Windows 8.1

Anonymous
2013-10-30T06:00:37+00:00

Hi,

Problem started with trying to add a home network printer. I get the error message "Windows can't open Add Printer. There are no more endpoints available from the endpoint mapper."

Each time I boot the PC I have to go to Services and start the Printer Spooler, and then I can add printers, and print, but after a reboot I have to repeat this action again.

The Printer Spooler is set to automatic, but like I say it won't start automatically.

I also checked out the c:\windows\system32\spool\printers folder but it was empty. (deleting all files in this folder has been offered as a solution)

Has anyone worked this one out yet? There seems to be a few people suffering the same issue.

Thanks

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2013-11-26T18:24:31+00:00

SOLUTION!!!  This worked for me and I have tested it over and over again.

"As suspected by many, the problem is Kaspersky related.

I found a solution: download kavremvr.exe (Kaspersky Lab Products Remover), run the program, select "<Remove all known products>" and then click on "Remove".

Restart the computer, wait, do not panic, the first reboot is slow.

On the first reboot, still the spooler will not restart automatically.

Again, restart the computer, everything should be ok now."

I originally had Kaspersky antivirus installed from the manufacturer which I removed thru add / remove programs back when I had windows 8.  I guess not everything was removed when I originally uninstalled it.  You must do the 2nd restart as described above for it to work.  I found this solution on another thread while searching different keywords trying to get answers.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-07-24T10:32:29+00:00

    Hello Sam,

    Thank you for replying.

    I would suggest you to try all the steps provided in this article and check.

    Print Spooler Crash Troubleshooting Steps

    http://blogs.technet.com/b/perfguru/archive/2008/08/06/print-spooler-crash-troubleshooting-steps.aspx

    (Applies to Windows 8.1)

    Note: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

    I hope this helps.

    Thank you

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-24T10:19:50+00:00

    Hi Ratandeep,

    I checked the register as you recommended and the driver was indeed set to "Localspl.dll"

    Cheers

    Sam

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-24T07:55:21+00:00

    Hello Sam,

    Thank you again for responding.

    Please confirm the default "Local Print Provider" and then check the issue. Please follow these steps:

    a. Use regedit to locate the "Print" key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print

    b. Click to highlight the print key in regedit and export the key as a .reg file for backup purposes (File > Export).

    c. Locate the "Local Port Registry" key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors\Local Port

    d. Confirm that the "Driver" value in the "Local Port Registry" key is set to "Localspl.dll". If it is not, double-click the "Driver" value to edit the "Data String" and set it to "Localspl.dll".

    Note: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

    Thank you

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-23T10:39:16+00:00

    Hi Ratandeep,

    After doing the things you recommended and finally restarting the PC again, it was again a no-show for the Print Spooler.

    In the register, the 'version-3' under drivers reappeared and in the 'monitors' folder the 'ssm1M Langmon and the Samsung Network PC Fax Port with subfolder have reappeared.

    So if I (re)start the LPD service/print spooler the Samsung comes back again as the printer to use.

    But  the default printers that MS offers and the CutePDFwriter are nowhere to bee seen.

    Cheers

    Sam

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