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
    2014-07-16T14:10:21+00:00

    Hello Sam,

    Thank you for prompt response.

    I would suggest you to run check disk to fix any error in the hard drive and then check the issue. Please follow these steps:

    a. Press Windows + X keys and select command prompt(admin).

    b. Type the following command in the command prompt and press Enter.

    chkdsk /f /r

    Please follow on-screen instructions(if it appears). Check disk will take some time to complete.

    Please reply with results.

    Thank you

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

    Hi Ratandeep,

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

    Cheers

    Sam

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