How to Fix Spooler Errors

The print spooler plays an important role for your PC.

Problems with the print spooler take many forms. In some cases you will receive an error message when you try to add a new local or network printer. At other times you will simply receive no response when you send a print job to the printer. Any time you have problems with your printer, the print spooler should be one of the first things you check. If the print spooler crashes, you computer will not send your print jobs to the local and network-attached printers until the problem is resolved.

Instructions

1. Log on to your computer and click the "Start" button. Choose "Control Panel" from the menu.

2. Look for the "Administrative Tools" icon. Click the "Classic View" option if the icon is not visible. You might find this necessary in some versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

3. Double-click the "Administrative Tools" icon and then the "Services" icon. Scroll down to the "Print Spooler" service.

4. Right-click on the "Print Spooler" service and choose "Start." Wait for the status of the service to change to "Started."

5. Double-click the "Print Spooler" service and change the "Startup type" option to "Automatic." This will ensure that the print spooler service starts automatically each time your computer does.

References

• Microsoft: Support: Error Message When You Use the Add Printer Wizard: "Operation Could Not be Completed"