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Fix Print Spooler Service Keeps Stopping Automatically

The Windows Print Spooler service crashes or stops randomly, preventing users from printing documents or adding new printers.

print-spoolerprintingservicescrash

Confirmed working on: Windows 10 · Windows 11

Before you begin

Match the environmentUse this guide only for Windows 10, Windows 11 or a clearly compatible setup.
Protect recoveryBack up important data and save encryption or account recovery keys before changing system state.
Know when to stopMake one change at a time and stop if the result differs from what the guide describes.

Problem overview

The Print Spooler service manages all print jobs on Windows. When it stops automatically, you lose the ability to send documents to your printer or view installed printers.

Common causes

  • Corrupt files stuck in the print queue
  • Outdated or incompatible printer drivers
  • Registry errors in the spooler subkeys
  • System file corruption

Solution 1: Clear the spooler folder

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Stop the Print Spooler service so you can delete locked files:
net stop spooler
  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and press Enter.
  3. Delete all files inside this folder. Do not delete the folder itself.
  4. Return to the Command Prompt and start the service:
net start spooler
Expert Tip

You might need to confirm administrator permissions in File Explorer when opening the PRINTERS folder for the first time.

Solution 2: Reinstall problematic printer drivers

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type printui.exe /s /t2, and press Enter.
  2. Select the printer you suspect is causing the crash.
  3. Click Remove and choose to remove both the driver and the driver package.
  4. Download the latest driver from the printer manufacturer’s official website.
  5. Install the new driver and restart your computer.

Solution 3: Run the System File Checker

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Execute the system repair command:
sfc /scannow
  1. Wait for the scan to reach 100 percent.
  2. Open the Event Viewer and navigate to Windows Logs, then Application. Look for Application Error events tied to spoolsv.exe to identify any remaining failing modules.

Confirm the result

  1. Repeat the exact action that originally triggered the problem.
  2. Confirm the original error or symptom is gone and no new warning has appeared.
  3. If the guide changed a driver, service, package, or system setting, restart once and test again.
  4. If the result is worse or unexpected, stop. Reverse only the last change using its documented restore option; if none is documented, use your backup or qualified support.

Questions about this fix

Why does the print spooler crash immediately after I start it?

A stuck print job with a corrupt file is likely forcing the service to crash upon startup.

Will deleting the spool folder remove my installed printers?

No. Deleting the contents of the PRINTERS folder only removes pending print jobs, not the printers themselves.

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