How to Fix a Windows Vista Print Spooler

The print spooler stores printable data in memory.

The print spooler is a Windows component used to store data into memory for printing. This component runs as a startup service. If you are having problems printing documents within Vista, the service may be need to be enabled or restarted.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Click on "Start," then in "Search."

2. Type "Services.msc" without the quotes.

3. Press the "Enter" key.

4. Scroll down and double-click on "Print Spooler."

5. Click in the "Startup type" menu and change the option to "Automatic." This enables the service to start when your computer boots. You can also click on the "Start," or "Resume" button to force the service to start immediately.

References

• Microsoft: Troubleshoot Printer Problems
• Microsoft: Changes to a printer's device configuration are not applied until the computer restarts or the Print Spooler service restarts in Windows Vista

Resources

• SpeedyVista: Windows Vista Services Guide