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
    2013-11-05T18:08:32+00:00

    All good.  Thank you for your help.  I am a perfectionist and hate these little bugs when everything worked just fine before the upgrade.  I have a tech degree and I'm a network admin for a company so I really get frustrated when I can't figure things out.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T17:33:24+00:00

    Hi,

    I have the same issue with my print spooler. I am using a HP in both wireless and cable mode and is the same on all 3 windows computers with 8.1 installed.

    I have tried everything  including removing and reinstalling the printer, stopping and starting the spooler service and deleting all files in the system32/spool/printer folders but still the same, after boot up the spooler service isn't running, it has to be started manually?

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T19:49:34+00:00

    Hi,

    Try Jeff's suggestion about deleting drivers\printers in Print Management....

    This is different than the System 32 location...

    As much as I hate to say, you might be better off if you do the deleting after again uninstalling your printer.... just to make sure there is nothing there that shouldn't be...

    Nothing but Microsoft drivers... my machine has four Microsoft drivers....

    Print Management can be found in Control Panel... Administrative Tools...

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-25T16:34:04+00:00

    I am having the same problem again after it was working fine for about 2 weeks.  I did not add any new printers or software since we fixed the problem.  I have no idea why its happening again.

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