Restart Server Print Spooler

6 min read Oct 10, 2024

Restarting the Print Spooler: A Troubleshooting Guide

Have you encountered issues with printing documents on your Windows computer? Perhaps your printer is not responding, or you're seeing error messages related to the print queue. One of the first troubleshooting steps you should consider is restarting the Print Spooler service. This service manages all print jobs, and a simple restart can often resolve various printing problems.

What is the Print Spooler?

The Print Spooler is a crucial component of your Windows operating system that acts as a middleman between your computer and your printer. When you send a document to print, it doesn't immediately go directly to the printer. Instead, the Print Spooler temporarily stores the print job in a queue, waiting for the printer to become available.

Think of the Print Spooler like a virtual waiting room for print jobs. It helps manage the order of print jobs, prioritizes tasks, and ensures that only one job is sent to the printer at a time.

Why Restart the Print Spooler?

Here are some common reasons why restarting the Print Spooler might be necessary:

Print jobs stuck in the queue: If you see print jobs that are stuck in the queue for an extended period and aren't printing, restarting the Print Spooler can help clear the backlog.
Printer not responding: If your printer is not responding to print commands, restarting the Print Spooler might refresh its connection and resolve the issue.
Printing errors: Various error messages related to printing, such as "Print spooler service is not running," can be resolved by restarting the service.
After installing new software or drivers: Sometimes, installing new software or printer drivers can cause conflicts with the Print Spooler, requiring a restart.

How to Restart the Print Spooler

There are a few ways to restart the Print Spooler service in Windows:

1. Using the Services Window:

Open the Run dialog box (Windows key + R).
Type services.msc and press Enter.
Locate the Print Spooler service in the list.
Right-click on the service and choose Restart.

2. Using Task Manager:

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Services tab.
Find the Print Spooler service.
Right-click on the service and choose Restart.

3. Using Command Prompt:

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type net stop spooler and press Enter to stop the service.
Type net start spooler and press Enter to start the service again.

Important Note: When you restart the Print Spooler, any print jobs currently in the queue will be deleted.

When to Consider Other Troubleshooting Steps

While restarting the Print Spooler is often a quick fix for printing problems, it might not always be the solution. If you continue to experience issues, try these additional troubleshooting steps:

Check the printer connection: Ensure that the printer is properly connected to your computer via USB, network, or Wi-Fi.
Update printer drivers: Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause printing problems. Visit the printer manufacturer's website to download the latest drivers.
Clear the print queue: If you have several print jobs in the queue, try clearing it to see if it helps.
Check for printer errors: Many printers have error lights or messages that indicate issues. Refer to the printer's manual for troubleshooting guides.

Conclusion

Restarting the Print Spooler is a simple yet effective troubleshooting step for many printing problems. By restarting the service, you can often clear the print queue, refresh connections, and address any temporary issues. However, if the problem persists, remember to explore other troubleshooting steps to isolate and resolve the underlying cause.