If you’re having trouble getting your printer to work on Windows 10, it could be because the print spooler is not working properly. Fortunately, restarting the print spooler is a relatively simple process. In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to restart the print spooler in Windows 10 quickly and easily.

How to Restart Print Spooler Windows 10?

What is Print Spooler?

Print spooler is a service in Windows which manages the printing jobs sent to the printer. It is responsible for keeping the print jobs in the queue and sending them to the printer. Print spooler service is required to be running all the time, otherwise, you won’t be able to print anything. If you are facing any issues while printing, the first thing you should do is restart the print spooler service.

What are the symptoms of Print Spooler service malfunction?

The most common symptom of print spooler service malfunction is that you won’t be able to print anything. You can also face additional problems such as the printer not being detected, the print jobs stuck in the queue, etc.

How to Restart Print Spooler Service?

You can easily restart the print spooler service in Windows 10. You can either do it from the Services window or you can use the command prompt.

Using Services Window

Open the Services window by pressing the Windows + R key and then type ‘services.msc’. In the services window, look for ‘Print Spooler’ service, right-click on it and select ‘Restart’.

Using Command Prompt

Open the command prompt window by pressing the Windows + R key and then type ‘cmd’. In the command prompt window, type the following command and press enter.

net stop spooler

The print spooler service will be stopped. Now type the following command to start the service again.

net start spooler

The print spooler service will be started again.

How to Check if Print Spooler Service is Running?

You can easily check if the print spooler service is running or not in Windows 10. You can either do it from the Services window or you can use the command prompt.

Using Services Window

Open the Services window by pressing the Windows + R key and then type ‘services.msc’. In the services window, look for ‘Print Spooler’ service, right-click on it and select ‘Properties’. In the Properties window, you will see the status of the service.

Using Command Prompt

Open the command prompt window by pressing the Windows + R key and then type ‘cmd’. In the command prompt window, type the following command and press enter.

sc query spooler

It will show the status of the service. If it is running, it will show ‘RUNNING’, otherwise, it will show ‘STOPPED’.

Checking if There are any Stuck Print Jobs

Sometimes, the print jobs get stuck in the queue and this prevents any other print jobs from getting printed. You can easily check if there are any stuck print jobs or not.

Using Command Prompt

Open the command prompt window by pressing the Windows + R key and then type ‘cmd’. In the command prompt window, type the following command and press enter.

net stop spooler

The print spooler service will be stopped. Now open the print spooler folder by typing the following command.

%windir%\system32\spool\printers

It will open the print spooler folder. In this folder, if you find any files, then there are stuck print jobs in the queue. Delete these files and then start the print spooler service again by typing the following command.

net start spooler

The print spooler service will be started again.

Checking Printer Drivers

If you are still facing any issue with the print spooler service, then you should check if the printer drivers are installed properly or not. You can easily check the printer drivers in the Devices and Printers window.

Using Devices and Printers Window

Open the Devices and Printers window by pressing the Windows + R key and then type ‘control printers’. In the Devices and Printers window, look for your printer and right-click on it and select ‘Properties’. In the Properties window, look for the drivers and check if they are installed properly or not.

If the drivers are not installed properly, then you should download and install the latest version of the drivers from the manufacturer’s website. After installing the drivers, restart the print spooler service and check if the issue is resolved or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Print Spooler?

The Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages the printing process. It stores print jobs in a queue and sends them to the designated printer. It is responsible for sending documents to the printer, receiving status information from the printer, and notifying applications of printer errors.

What is the Purpose of Restarting the Print Spooler?

Restarting the Print Spooler can help resolve printer issues including documents not printing, slow printing, or documents getting stuck in the print queue. It can also help clear out any corrupt print jobs that may be clogging up the print queue.

How do I Restart the Print Spooler in Windows 10?

To restart the Print Spooler in Windows 10, open the Run window by pressing the Windows key and R at the same time. Type “services.msc” and press Enter. Scroll down to the Print Spooler service and double-click it. Click the Stop button and then the Start button in the Print Spooler Properties window.

What if I Cannot Stop the Print Spooler?

If you are unable to stop the Print Spooler, you can try restarting it from the command prompt. Open the Command Prompt by right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Command Prompt”. Type “net stop spooler” and press Enter. The Spooler service will be stopped. To start it again, type “net start spooler” and press Enter.

What if the Print Spooler Continues to Stop?

If the Print Spooler continues to stop, it could be a sign of a larger issue with the printing system. Try reinstalling the printer driver and restarting the Print Spooler again. If that does not work, you may need to reset the Windows Print Spooler configuration.

How do I Reset the Windows Print Spooler Configuration?

To reset the Windows Print Spooler configuration, open the Run window by pressing the Windows key and R at the same time. Type “services.msc” and press Enter. Scroll down to the Print Spooler service and double-click it. Click the Stop button and then the Start button in the Print Spooler Properties window. Right-click the Start button and select “Command Prompt”. Type “net stop spooler” and press Enter. Type “net start spooler” and press Enter. The Spooler service will be restarted with the default Windows configuration.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily restart the print spooler in Windows 10. Doing so helps ensure that your printer works properly and that you can continue to print documents. If you have additional questions about restarting your print spooler, you can reach out to a professional computer technician for assistance. With the right tools and knowledge, you can keep your printer running smoothly.