How to Fix a Printer Spooler

Print Spooler Dialog box

If you get the following error when you try to install a Printer in Windows.
"Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running" Then you may need to restart the print spooler and ensure that (RPC) Remote
Proceedure Call service is also runnung. Here's how to go about fixing this problem:

Things You'll Need

• May need printer drivers CD.
• Internet Access for drivers update.

Instructions

1. Go to Start, Run to open the Run dialog and type services.msc and click OK. Or you could try starting the service by typing "net start spooler" in the run dialog box then click ok.

2. Scroll down and Double-click the Printer Spooler service, and in the dialog box, change the startup type to Automatic. This sets the Spooler service to start automatically when you restart the computer. Click OK.

3. Restart the computer and try to install the printer again.

4. * If that didn't work, your printer drivers may be currupted. Uninstall all printer software from your computer and start over from scratch. This may include bundled software that came with your printer as well. If printers etc. is listed in the Control Panel under Printers & Faxes, you should consider deleting them aswell.Clean out everything possible that might be hanging the Printer Spooler service. Once the reinstallation is completed, updated the printer driver software from your printer manufacturers website. You may also consider installing only the applications you need to operate your printer.

Tips & Warnings

• If it is a networked printer, ensure that the network cable is correctly attached and that the printer is on. Also ckeck to see if the network port on the printer is working properly.

• From my experience, some printers like "HP" does not install, if at all install correctly, if you attach it to the computer before the installation instruct you to, so please keep that in mind when carrying out the installation.