How to Delete Stuck Print Jobs in Windows Vista

The Windows command prompt allows you to directly interact with your Windows installation.

Have you ever found yourself with "stuck" documents in your Windows Vista print queue? These files will show as canceled in the Vista print queue window but will be immune to your efforts to print or remove them. Stuck print jobs can impede your ability to print new documents and can cause quite a bit of frustration, as Microsoft's recommended methods for removing them will not resolve the issue.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Windows Vista

Instructions

1. Click the Windows Vista button on your taskbar. It's the shiny round button with a Windows icon.

2. Type "Run" in the Start Search box and then press the Enter key on your keyboard. When the Run window opens, type "cmd" in the text box and click "OK."

3. Give the following commands on the command prompt one at a time by typing them exactly as they appear and hitting the Enter key:

   NET STOP spooler

   DEL %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\* /Q

   NET START spooler

4. Close the Command window. You can now resume printing!

Tips & Warnings

• You must be logged into Vista as an administrator for these commands to work successfully.

• Be careful to enter the commands exactly as shown in the Command window. Command prompts offer unprotected access to your Windows operating system, and incorrect commands could result in irreparable damage.

References

• Windows: Cancel Printing
• TechTarget: Delete Print Jobs That Won't Go Away
• Indemnity83: Remove a Stuck Print Job in Windows