Print Spooler Is Not Running

Start computer in safe mode
Start the computer in safe mode so that you can remove spool files. To do this, follow these steps:

   1. Restart your computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. On a computer that is configured to start multiple operating systems, you can press the F8 key when the Boot menu appears.
   2. Select Safe Mode when the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then press ENTER.
   3. If the Boot menu appears again and you are prompted to select the operating system on the computer, use the arrow keys to select the operating system, and then press ENTER.

      Note For more information about how to start your computer in safe mode, click Start, click Help and Support, type safe mode in the Search box, press the ENTER key, and then click the Start Windows in safe mode topic.

Back to the top
Now delete spool printer and driver files
In safe mode, delete the spool printer and driver files. To do this, start Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then delete all the files and the folders in the following two folders (where C: is the drive where you have Windows XP installed):

    * C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printers
    * C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Drivers\w32x86

Back to the top
Next, edit the registry
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
First, remove Windows NT subkeys
Remove the potentially problematic registry entries for Windows NT x86 service subkeys. These may have been installed by third-party printer setup programs and may be interfering with the print spool service. Use the following steps to keep the drivers, print spools, and registry entries that came with Windows on your computer and remove all others that may be causing issues.

   1. Start Registry Editor. To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
   2. Locate and expand the following registry key:
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86
      View the list of subkeys (subfolders). There should only be the following subkeys:
          * Drivers
          * Print Processors
   3. If there are any subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 2, follow these steps:
         1. On the File menu, click Export.
         2. In the File Name box, type the name that you want to use for this key, such as WindowsNTx86regkey, and then click Save.

            NoteYou can use this backup of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86 registry key to restore the key if you experience any issues after you complete this procedure.
         3. Delete all the subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 2. To do this, right-click each subkey that is not on the list, and then click Delete. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.

Second, remove registry entries for printer drivers
Remove the potentially problematic printer driver subkeys, which may be interfering with the printer you want to use. These may have been installed by third-party printer setup programs. Use the following steps to keep the printer driver and registry entries that came with Windows on your computer and remove all others that may be causing issues.

   1. Start Registry Editor if it is not open. To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
   2. Locate and then expand the following registry key:
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Drivers
      The registry entries for the printer drivers that are installed on the computer are stored in the Version-x subkey or subkeys, where x is a number (typically 2 or 3).
   3. Export the Version-x subkey or subkeys. To do this, follow these steps:
         1. On the File menu, click Export.
         2. In the File Name box, type the name that you want to use for this key, such as print driver, and then click Save.
   4. Expand the Version-x subkey or subkeys, and then delete the printer driver entries. To do this, right-click each printer driver subkey, and then click Delete. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.

Third, remove registry entries for default print monitors
Remove the potentially problematic print monitor subkeys, which may be interfering with the printer you want to use. These may have been installed by third-party printer setup programs. Use the following steps to keep the print monitors and registry entries that came with Windows and remove all others that may be causing issues.

   1. Start Registry Editor if it is not open. To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
   2. Locate and then expand the following registry key:
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors
      View the list of subkeys. There should only be the following subkeys for the default print monitors:
          * BJ Language Monitor
          * Local Port
          * PJL Language Monitor
          * Standard TCP/IP Port
          * USB Monitor
   3. If there are any subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 1, follow these steps:
         1. On the File menu, click Export.
         2. In the File Name box, type the name that you want to use for this key, such as MonitorsRegkey, and then click Save.

            NoteYou can use this backup of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors registry key to restore the key if you experience any issues after you complete this procedure.
         3. Delete all the subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 2. To do this, right-click each subkey that is not on the list, and then click Delete. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.
   4. Exit Registry Editor.
   5. If you have a printer attached to the computer, disconnect the printer cable from the computer, and then restart the computer.

Back to the top
Now verify that the print spooler service is running
Verify that the print spooler service is running. To do this, follow these steps:

   1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
   2. Expand Services and Applications, and then click Services.
   3. In the details pane, right-click the Print Spooler service, and then click Start (if it is stopped).
   4. Exit Computer Management.

If you cannot start the Print Spooler service, follow the steps in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to start the Print Spooler service:
919750  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919750/ ) You experience problems printing, viewing printer icons, and adding printers, the Print Spooler service does not function correctly, and you receive print-related error messages on a Windows XP-based computer
Back to the top
Finally, add a printer and print a test page
If you have a printer attached, reconnect the printer cable to the computer, install the printer by adding it to the computer through the Add Printer Wizard, and then try to print a test page. To install the printer you want, follow these steps:

   1. Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes.
   2. Click Add a printer. The Add Printer Wizard starts.
   3. Follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard to install the printer that you want.
   4. Print a test page to make sure that you can print.

If you still cannot print or if you are still receiving print spool errors, go to the "Did this fix the problem?" section.