How to Clean a Print Spooler
When you attempt to print a document or photo, your computer's operating system buffers the data in a print spooler. If the print spooler experiences an error, the print job may not go through or become garbled. To solve the problem, you must clean out the print spooler and resend the print job. You can clean the print spooler in Windows Vista by turning the spooler off and back on.
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Instructions
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Open the Start menu and click "Control Panel." Double-click the "Administrative Tools" icon.
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Click "Computer Management" and then "Continue" in the dialogue box asking you to confirm that you want to access Computer Management.
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Scroll through the list of options in the center panel. Double-click "Services and Applications."
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Click the "Services" icon. Click the "Name" button at the top of the window to organize the list of services alphabetically. Double-click "Printer Spooler."
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Navigate to the "General" tab and scroll down to the "Service Status" heading. Click "Stop," and then click "Apply." Click "Start," and then click "Apply" again. Click "OK."
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Close the Services window and restart your computer. Power the printer off and then back on.
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Tips & Warnings
If your computer has an operating system other than Windows Vista, you may need to access different menu items to reach the print-spooling service. Check your manual or access the OS support website for details.
The print spooler can malfunction if you have an outdated driver installed for your printer. To update your driver, navigate to "Device Manager" in the Control Panel. Right-click the printer's name, choose "Update Driver" and follow the prompts.
References
- Photo Credit Hisks/Sxc.hu
