How to Fix a Corrupted Print Spooler

Check the print spooler first.

Many things can cause a print job to fail, but when you send a print job and get no response, the print spooler should be one of the first things you check. The job of the print spooler service is to process jobs sent to each printer, and if that service stops working, no print jobs will make it to those printers. If you suspect a problem with this service, you need to check its status as one of your first troubleshooting steps.

Instructions

1. Log on to your computer and click on the "Start" button. Open the Control Panel.

2. Locate the "Administrative Tools" icon. If the icon is not visible, click the "Classic View" option to see the full list of icons. This might be necessary on some installations of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

3. Double-click on the "Administrative Tools" and then on "Services." Scroll down to the "Print Spooler" option and right-click it. Choose "Start" to start the service.

4. Double-click on the "Print Spooler" service and look for the "Startup Type" option. Change the startup type to automatic to ensure that it starts each time your computer starts.

References

• Microsoft Support: Print Spooler