How to Restart the Print Spooler in Windows 10?

Are you having trouble printing documents in Windows 10? The print spooler may be to blame. This tutorial will show you how to restart the print spooler in Windows 10, so you can get back to printing documents without any further delay.

What Is Print Spooler and Why Should It Be Restarted?

The print spooler is a service in Windows 10 that manages the printing process. It stores print jobs in the memory and sends them to the printer when the printer is ready. It is responsible for managing the order of print jobs from different applications, and it also optimizes print jobs for the printer. If the print spooler stops working, it can lead to problems like slow printing, frozen print jobs, and even printer errors. Therefore, it is essential to restart the print spooler if you encounter any of these problems.

When the print spooler stops working, it can cause a lot of problems. It can cause the printer to freeze, print jobs to take a long time to finish, or even cause the printer to produce errors. In some cases, it can even cause the printer to become unresponsive. Restarting the print spooler can help resolve these issues and get the printer back to normal.

How To Restart Print Spooler In Windows 10?

There are several ways to restart the print spooler in Windows 10. The first way is to use the “Services” tool. To do this, press the Windows key + R and type in services.msc. This will open the Services window. Scroll down to the Print Spooler service, right-click it, and select “Restart”.

The second way to restart the print spooler is to use the command prompt. To do this, press the Windows key + X and select the “Command Prompt” option. Type in the command “net start spooler” and press Enter. This will start the print spooler service.

The third way to restart the print spooler is to use the Task Manager. To do this, right-click the taskbar and select “Task Manager”. Select the “Services” tab, scroll down to the Print Spooler service, right-click it, and select “Restart”.

How To Ensure The Print Spooler Stays Running?

Once the print spooler has been restarted, it is important to ensure that it stays running. To do this, press the Windows key + X and select the “Run” option. Type in services.msc and press Enter. This will open the Services window. Scroll down to the Print Spooler service, right-click it, and select “Properties”.

In the Properties window, select the “General” tab and make sure that the “Startup type” is set to “Automatic”. This will ensure that the print spooler will start automatically whenever Windows is restarted.

Next, select the “Recovery” tab and make sure that the “First failure” and “Subsequent failures” options are set to “Restart the Service”. This will ensure that the print spooler will be restarted automatically if it fails.

Troubleshooting The Print Spooler

If the print spooler is still not working correctly, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue. The first thing to do is to check that the printer is connected properly and that there are no loose cables.

If the printer is connected properly, you should check the printer driver to make sure it is up-to-date. You can do this by going to the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest version of the driver.

Finally, you should check the print spooler service to make sure it is running correctly. To do this, press the Windows key + X and select the “Run” option. Type in services.msc and press Enter. This will open the Services window. Scroll down to the Print Spooler service, right-click it, and select “Properties”. In the Properties window, make sure that the “Status” is set to “Running”.

Conclusion

The print spooler is an essential part of the printing process in Windows 10. If the print spooler stops working, it can cause a lot of problems, such as slow printing, frozen print jobs, and even printer errors. Therefore, it is important to restart the print spooler if you encounter any of these issues. There are several ways to restart the print spooler, such as using the Services tool, the command prompt, or the Task Manager. Once the print spooler has been restarted, it is important to ensure that it stays running. If the print spooler is still not working correctly, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try, such as checking the printer connection, updating the printer driver, and checking the print spooler service.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Print Spooler in Windows 10?

The Print Spooler in Windows 10 is a service that enables users to print documents from their computer to their printer. It stores documents in a queue and sends them to the printer in the order they were requested. The Print Spooler also provides access to printer settings, printer driver information, and resource sharing.

What are the Reasons to Restart the Print Spooler?

The Print Spooler may need to be restarted when it stops working correctly. This can occur due to a misconfigured driver, a printer that is not responding, or a corrupted print job. Restarting the Print Spooler can help resolve these issues and get your printing back on track.

How to Restart the Print Spooler in Windows 10?

To restart the Print Spooler in Windows 10, open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R, type “services.msc” and press enter. This will open the Services window. Scroll through the list of services and locate the Print Spooler. Right-click on it and select “Restart”. The Print Spooler will be restarted and you should be able to print again.

What Happens After Restarting the Print Spooler?

After restarting the Print Spooler, all queued up documents will be released and sent to the printer. Any corrupted print jobs will be cleared out and the printer will be ready to accept new print jobs.

Are There Any Risks in Restarting the Print Spooler?

Restarting the Print Spooler is a relatively safe process. However, it is recommended to close all programs that are actively using the printer before restarting the Print Spooler to ensure that documents are printed correctly.

Is It Possible to Automate the Restart of the Print Spooler?

Yes, it is possible to automate the restart of the Print Spooler. You can use a PowerShell script to restart the Print Spooler on a regular basis or according to a predetermined schedule. This can help keep your printing environment running smoothly and ensure that any corrupted print jobs are cleared out in a timely manner.

Restarting the print spooler in Windows 10 is a relatively simple task, and it can be done in just a few steps. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now be able to successfully restart the print spooler in Windows 10 and get your printer up and running in no time. So don’t hesitate to give it a try and make sure your printer is running optimally again.