Printer spooler won't start at startup - Windows 8.1

Anonymous

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

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Anonymous

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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Anonymous

2013-11-05T00:19:12+00:00

I have the exact same problem going on too. Does not matter what printers or drivers I have installed the spooler just will not start unless I manually start it from services. This never occurred until I upgraded to Windows 8.1. This is a major nusence having to start the spooler every time I need to print or add a new printer. Please help!!!
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Anonymous

2013-10-31T05:05:15+00:00
Hi Timothy,

What is the make and model of the printer?

I suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below and check if it helps.

Method 1:

a. Press Windows key + R and type services.msc in the search field and press enter.

b. In the Services listed stop the Print Spooler service.

c. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder below, and open the PRINTERS.

C:\Windows\system32\spool\PRINTERS

d. Click on Continue or Yes (if prompted by UAC) to approve opening the PRINTERS folder.

e. Delete all files in the PRINTERS folder until it is empty, and then close Windows Explorer.

Note: DO NOT DELETE the PRINTERS folder itself. Only delete its contents.

f. Open Services, and start the Print Spooler service.

Method 2:

Let's start the all the dependencies service for the printer spooler service. Follow the steps provided.
1. Press Windows key + R and type services.msc in the search field and press ENTER.
2. Scroll down to Print spooler.
1. Right click and click properties, click the tab “Dependencies”
2. Note all of the dependent services listed, and then close the Print Spooler Properties window.
If any of the dependent services are missing or cannot be started, try uninstalling all installed printer drivers and then reinstalling them.

Method 3:

If the issue still persists, I would suggest you to install the latest driver for the printers from the manufacturer website and check if it helps.

You can also refer to the article mentioned below if the issue persists.

Fix printer problems

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/printer-problems-in-windows-help#fix-printer-problems=windows-8&v1h=win8tab1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1

Hope this helps.

For any issues related with Windows, feel free to contact us and we will be glad to help.
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Anonymous

2013-11-05T01:00:48+00:00
Hi,

I had all kinds of problems getting my Lexmark to work, but after a couple of days of trial and error I came up with this.... What you see when you do this may vary because of the different brand of printer...
1. Printer must be On for it to show up in Devices and Printers after the Upgrade - Just this one time. Otherwise, only the Lexmark Fax shows up and the Printer can't be REMOVED.
2. Now UNHOOK the Printer
3. REMOVE Lexmark Printer and Lexmark Fax in Devices and Printers.
4. STOP the PRINT SPOOLER.
5. Uninstall software - TWO Firewall Security Messages Pop Up about "ALLOWING' Printer Communication..
Select "ALLOW".... if you Allow both Shared and Private on both windows, you end up with two printers in Printer Preferences, Properties, etc. I unchecked a "Shared" on the first window.
1. After REBOOT, STOP Print Spooler AGAIN.
2. Reinstall Software\Drivers ... Hook Printer back up when Prompted.
3. Unhook Printer again and REBOOT ... This step isn't necessary if Bidirectional Support is already ENABLED.
Skip to step 10 if Enabled.
1. Enable Bidirectional Support and Reboot
2. Set up Printer Preferences if desired, and it's ready to go.
Your issue may be a bit different than mine, but reinstalling normally accomplished nothing without the other steps..
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Anonymous

2013-11-02T14:51:43+00:00
Hi Timothy,

What is the make and model of the printer?

I suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below and check if it helps.

Method 1:

a. Press Windows key + R and type services.msc in the search field and press enter.

b. In the Services listed stop the Print Spooler service.

c. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder below, and open the PRINTERS.

C:\Windows\system32\spool\PRINTERS

d. Click on Continue or Yes (if prompted by UAC) to approve opening the PRINTERS folder.

e. Delete all files in the PRINTERS folder until it is empty, and then close Windows Explorer.

Note: DO NOT DELETE the PRINTERS folder itself. Only delete its contents.

f. Open Services, and start the Print Spooler service.

Method 2:

Let's start the all the dependencies service for the printer spooler service. Follow the steps provided.

Press Windows key + R and type services.msc in the search field and press ENTER.

2. Scroll down to Print spooler.

Right click and click properties, click the tab “Dependencies”

Note all of the dependent services listed, and then close the Print Spooler Properties window.

If any of the dependent services are missing or cannot be started, try uninstalling all installed printer drivers and then reinstalling them.

Method 3:

If the issue still persists, I would suggest you to install the latest driver for the printers from the manufacturer website and check if it helps.

You can also refer to the article mentioned below if the issue persists.

Fix printer problems

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/printer-problems-in-windows-help#fix-printer-problems=windows-8&v1h=win8tab1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1

Hope this helps.

For any issues related with Windows, feel free to contact us and we will be glad to help.
Unfortunately this only works each time you repeat this procedure, when you restart windows the problem manifests itself each and every time. The automatic start setting for the spooler does not work. I've installed and reinstalled the prionter drivers, tried various different drivers but each time I restart Windows the apooler service is not running. This has only happened since I upgraded to Windows 8.1 and on this computer, not on others within the home.
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