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
    2014-07-17T09:12:23+00:00

    Hello Sam,

    Thank you for the reply.

    I would suggest you to try following steps:

    Step 1:

    Start your computer in safe mode

    Refer this article:

    Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode)

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

    Step 2:

    Delete the spool printer and driver files

    In safe mode, delete the spool printer and driver files. To do this, start Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then delete all the files and the folders in the following two folders:

    • C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printers

    • C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Drivers\w32x86

    Step 3:

    Edit the registry

    Please remove the Windows NT subkeys

    a. Press Windows + R keys, type regedit in run window and press Enter.

    b. Locate and expand the following registry key to view the list of subkeys (subfolders):

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86

    In the subkey list, there should only be the following subkeys:

    ◦ Drivers

    ◦ Print Processors

    c. If there are any subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step b, follow these steps:

    1. On the File menu, click Export.
    2. In the File Name box, type the name that you want to use for this key, such as WindowsNTx86regkey, and then click Save.
    3. You can use this backup of the

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86

    registry key to restore the key if you experience any issues after you complete this procedure.

    1. Delete all the subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 2. To do this, right-click each subkey that is not displayed on the list, and then click Delete. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.

    Now, Remove registry entries for the default print monitors

    a. Press Windows + R keys, type regedit in run window and press Enter.

    b. Locate and then expand the following registry key to view the list of subkeys:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors

    In the list of subkeys, there should only be the following subkeys for the default print monitors:

    ◦ BJ Language Monitor

    ◦ Local Port

    ◦ PJL Language Monitor

    ◦ Standard TCP/IP Port

    ◦ USB Monitor

    c. If there are any subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step b, follow these steps:

    1. On the File menu, click Export.
    2. In the File Name box, type the name that you want to use for this key, such as Monitorsx86regkey, and then click Save.
    3. You can use this backup of the

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors

    registry key to restore the key if you experience any issues after you complete this procedure.

    1. Delete all the subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 2. To do this, right-click each subkey that is not displayed on the list, and then click Delete. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.
    2. Exit Registry Editor.

    Step 4:

    Install the printer.

    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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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-17T07:41:56+00:00

    Hi Ratandeep,

    Alas, nothing changed. Again I had to manually start the print spooler.

    Cheers

    Sam

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-17T06:23:29+00:00

    Hello Sam,

    Thank you again for your response.

    Please follow these steps and check if it helps.

    a. Click Start, type regedit in the start search box and press Enter. Registry editor will open.

    b. Expand the folders to the following location:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler

    c. On the right window pane, double-click on the "DependOnService" registry value.

    d. There are two dependency terms for the service enlisted one per line. You have to remove the http

    value. Leave RPCSS.

    e. After making the modification, click ok. You may now close the registry editor and reboot the computer to get the issue fixed.

    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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  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-17T04:59:13+00:00

    G'day Ratandeep,

    I ran the chkdsk/f/r as you advised and after spending about 2.5 hours on 13% completed, it finished in 3 hours. Could not find the results. But in the Window services windows all was still the same: No HTTP, Print-spooler not running etc.

    Cheers

    Sam

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