Printer spooler problem: 7 fixes for Windows 10

You are expecting your document to print but instead you get nothing happening. The document will stay in the print queue. The printer will not respond and Windows may show an error saying the Print Spooler service has stopped.

The problem might be down to Windows’ printing service rather than the printer if you are having a printer spooler problem.

The Print Spooler is in charge of handling print jobs and sending them to the printer; if it stops functioning, then documents can get stuck, the printers may disappear from Windows, and new printing requests may fail.

There are some practical methods for dealing with a printer spooler problem,such as those relating to the HP printer spooler on Windows 10.

What causes a printer spooler problem?

Several issues can cause the Print Spooler service to fail and lead to a printer spooler problem, including

  • Stuck or corrupted print jobs
  • Outdated or incompatible printer drivers
  • Conflicting printer software
  • Temporary Windows errors
  • Problems with printer-related services

Microsoft lists stuck print jobs and the use of incompatible drivers as problems that can lead to printing failures. It offers steps for resolving them in its Print Spooler troubleshooting guide at 

1. Restart the Print Spooler service

A good first thing to do when the print spooler is not working is to restart the service.

Follow these steps:

  • On your keyboard, press Windows plus R.
  • Type services.msc and then press Enter.
  • Find the Print Spooler in the list.
  • Click the right mouse button on it and then choose Restart.
  • Try printing your document again.

When the service is stopped, choose Start instead. If the service stops once again a short time later, carry out the steps below to determine the cause.

2. Handling Stuck Print Jobs

A damaged or incomplete print job can stop other documents from being printed. This is a very common printer spooler problem

To clear the queue:

  • On Windows 10, go into Settings and then select Devices, after which choose Printers & scanners.
  • Choose your printer and open its print queue.
  • Cancel the documents that are waiting.
  • Now atart to print a new document.

The Print Spooler can be stopped manually by you. Start by pressing the Windows key + R and entering services. msc. Stop the Print Spooler service and open the following folder using File Explorer:

C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

Delete all the files in the folder. Restart the Print Spooler service and attempt to print.

3. How to fix problems with the HP printer spooler on Windows 10

If you are having HP printer spooler problems on Windows 10, the problem could be due to the HP printer driver or the related software.

Try the following:

4. Update or Reinstall Your Printer Driver

If your printer is not working, your computer might have an broken otherwise could be a a old driver. Go to the printer maker’s website. Find the latest driver for your printer model. Download and install it. If problems continue, remove the printer driver from your computer. Then restart your computer and reinstall the driver. This can help fix issues with the printer.

To check your driver:

  • Click on the Start menu and then search for Device Manager.
  • Open Printers or Print queues.
  • Find your printer.
  • Look for available driver updates or remove the driver if needed.
  • Obtain a driver that is compatible with your printer from the manufacturer’s official website.

After having made the changes, restart your computer and then test the printer once again.

5. How to correct the error ‘The Windows Print Spooler Service has been stopped’

If the message “Windows Print Spooler service has been stopped” appears on the screen, open the Services application and then check the status of the service.

You can open up the properties of the Print Spooler by right-clicking it, selecting Properties. Ensure that the startup type is set to ‘Automatic’ if it is a good fit for your computer. Click Apply.

If you are having trouble getting it to start, or the print spooler keeps stopping, check for any print jobs that are stuck or drivers that are faulty.

If you are using a computer for managed work, it may have been intentionally restricted by your administrator. Contact your IT administrator before changing any of these settings.

6. Restart both your computer and printer.

The printing service can be affected by temporary system problems, which can lead to a printer spooler problem.

Save your work, restart your computer, and switch off your printer. After that, wait for about a minute before turning the printer back on.

When the two devices have been prepared, send a test page to the printer.

Print from another application to see if the printer spooler problem persists. This will help to identify if it is a general printing issue.

7. Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

You can typically troubleshoot your printer with the Get Help app in Windows 10.

Open the Get Help app. Search printer troubleshooting and complete any troubleshooting steps to determine what common problems there may be with your printer connection, set up, or printing.

Please note that Microsoft no longer offer standard support for Windows 10 beyond October 14th 2025. If you are currently running Windows 10 we recommend upgrading to a supported Operating System.

When should you consider getting professional printer support?

If you have made so many troubleshooting steps but the service still continues even after restarting, the Print Spooler continues to stop, clear the queue and update the drivers, the printer spooler problem may need more in-depth troubleshooting.

At PC Support Expert, you can get help with diagnosing spooler errors, driver conflicts, problems with HP printers, and repeated Windows printing failures.

Conclusion

There can be a range of issues relating to your printer spooler, which can cause problems when printing documents. Often these can be fixed by restarting the service, clearing your print jobs, and ensuring you have no incompatible drivers.

If you’re having ongoing issues with your print spooler, then try checking your drivers and service settings, but if this doesn’t help, contact a professional printer troubleshooter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by a printer spooler problem?

It happens when Windows’ Print Spooler service is unable to properly manage or send the print jobs to your printer.

Why is my print spooler stopping?

Print spooler problems can be caused by old or broken printer drivers, issues with system files or compatibility issues. First you should restart the Print Spooler Service and update the printer driver. You can also scan your computer for viruses. If none of these work, try uninstalling and re-installing your printer.

How to Restart the Print Spooler on Windows 10:

Click on the Windows Key + R. Type services.msc into the search box. Find the Print Spooler, right-click, and select Restart.

How to Fix Spooler Errors with an HP Printer on Windows 10:

Restart the service, clear any print jobs that are stuck, and update your HP printer driver using the official HP Support website.

Why is Windows saying that the Print Spooler service has stopped?

This can be as a result of a crash or stopping due to a driver compatibility error, corrupted print job or other issues.

Will deleting the print spooler delete my documents?

No, deleting the print spooler will only delete what is in the print queue, not the original files.

What should I do if my print spooler is crashing?

Try to identify any problematic drivers, clear your print queue, and restart the service. If you are still having issues, then please seek professional technical support.