The Printer Spooler is a vital component in any computer system that allows a printer to communicate with a computer. It is responsible for storing all the print jobs in the computer’s memory before sending them to the printer.
However, sometimes users may encounter an error message that reads, “Error accessing printer spooler.” This type of error stops all print jobs from being sent to the printer, causing frustration and delay for users.
As a result, it’s essential to understand what causes this error and how to fix it to avoid subsequent printing disruptions.
In this article, we will explore the various reasons why this error may occur, and provide solutions that will help to resolve it effectively.
Causes of Error Accessing Printer Spooler
Print spooler is an essential part of the printing system on Windows operating systems. The print spooler manages all print jobs and sends the print job to the printer.
However, sometimes the printer spooler stops working, resulting in the error accessing printer spooler. There could be several reasons for this error, and we’ll discuss them in detail here.
1. Printer Driver Issues
The most common cause of the error accessing printer spooler is due to printer driver issues. Printers require a driver to communicate with the computer, and if the driver is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with your operating system, it can cause printer spooler errors.
A simple solution to this problem is to uninstall the current printer driver and download and install the latest driver version from the manufacturer’s website.
2. Malware or Virus
Malware or virus infections can cause printer spooler errors. Malware can corrupt system files and registry settings that are vital to the printer spooler’s functioning.
It’s essential to scan your computer regularly with reliable anti-malware software to detect and remove any malicious software that might be causing the error.
3. System-related Issues
System-related issues like software conflicts or outdated operating system can also cause printer spooler errors.
Most operating systems updates patches for errors on a regular basis, and neglecting to update your OS can lead to printing issues.
Additionally, issues with third-party programs like anti-virus, firewalls, or other software can cause the error and interfere with the printer spooler’s functioning.
4. Printer-related Issues
Sometimes the problem isn’t with the computer but with the printer itself. In some cases, an outdated or malfunctioning printer can cause printer spooler errors.
It’s always a good idea to check the printer’s connections to ensure that everything is properly connected and isn’t damaged.
Try rebooting the printer to see if the issue resolves itself. Additionally, using the Windows troubleshooter tool can help you identify any hardware problems with the printer that might be contributing to the error.
5. Print Job Issues
Sometimes, there might be an issue with the print job itself. If there’s a large print job with several documents that you’ve sent to print, it might be stuck in the print queue and causing the error accessing printer spooler.
In this case, ensure that you cancel all print jobs and then start the printer spooler again. Then try printing the document again.
printer spooler errors can be caused by various factors, so it’s important to identify and address the problem’s root cause.
If you’re experiencing any issues with the printer spooler, try troubleshooting the issues using the methods explained above or seek support from the device manufacturer.
Common Error Messages Related to Printer Spooler
Printer spooler error messages can be confusing and frustrating to deal with, particularly if you’re not a tech-savvy individual.
Not to worry though, we’ve put together a list of the most common error messages related to printer spooler, along with some possible solutions.
Some of the most common error messages related to printer spooler include:
Error 0x800706b9: Not enough resources are available to complete this operation
This error message typically appears when there isn’t enough disk space, memory, or printer spool space available to complete the operation. Here are some potential fixes:
- Free up disk space: Make sure your computer has enough free space to operate. Delete old and unnecessary files or programs to create more space.
- Check memory usage: Open Task Manager and monitor the resource usage of your computer. If memory usage is high, try closing any unnecessary programs or processes that might be running in the background.
- Clear Printer spool space: Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Print Spooler. Stop the service, navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS folder, and delete all its contents. Restart the Print Spooler service.
“Operation could not be completed” error message
This error message often indicates that the printer spooler service has stopped. Here are some potential fixes:
- Restart the Print Spooler service: Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Print Spooler. Stop the service, then restart it. Try to print again.
- Reset Printer: If you continue to receive the error message, try resetting the printer. Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, and wait a few minutes. Plug the printer back in and turn it on again.
- Reinstall Printer Drivers: If neither of the above solutions work, try reinstalling printer drivers. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Right-click on your printer and select “Remove device.” Restart your computer and then reinstall your printer drivers.
“Windows cannot connect to the printer” error message
This error message most likely indicates a connectivity issue between the printer and the computer. Here are some potential fixes:
- Check connectivity: Make sure the printer is properly connected to the computer through USB (or) Wi-Fi. Try unplugging the printer and plugging it back in or restarting the Wi-Fi on the printer.
- Run the Printer Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Printer > Run the troubleshooter.
- Manually add the printer: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Add Printer > Add a Local Printer or Network printer with manual settings. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup.
“Print spooler service not running” error message
This error message appears when the print spooler service has stopped running. Here are some potential fixes:
- Restart the Print Spooler service: Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Print Spooler. Stop the service, then restart it. Try to print again.
- Check dependencies: Find Print Spooler in Services, right-click on it and click on Properties > Dependencies. Make sure all services listed are running. If any of these services are not running, start them.
- Check for malware: Malware can sometimes cause issues with print spooler service. Run an antivirus and anti-malware scan to check if any malware is present on your computer.
Hopefully, with this list of common error messages and potential fixes, you’ll be able to troubleshoot and resolve any printer spooler errors you encounter.
Troubleshooting steps for error accessing printer spooler
Encountering an error message while attempting to print documents can be quite frustrating, especially if you’re halfway through a crucial project.
The error accessing printer spooler is a common problem that occurs when the printing function can no longer connect to the printer’s spooler service for one reason or another.
The printer spooler is designed to save printing tasks to a temporary folder on your computer before transferring them to the printer.
A malfunction in this feature can make things difficult for your printing function, leading to an error message. Here are a few tips you can follow to fix error accessing printer spooler:
Restart the Spooler Service
Restarting the spooler service can help to resolve the issue that is causing the printer spooler error message. This can be done in the following steps:
- Press the Windows key + R key to open the Run box.
- Type ‘services.msc’ into the search box and hit Enter.
- Locate the spooler service.
- Right-click on it and select ‘Restart’ from the drop-down menu.
After restarting the spooler service, try printing your documents again to see if the problem has been resolved.
Clean the Print Spooler Folder
The printing function might encounter the spooler error message when it is unable to write documents to the spooler’s folder. Cleaning out the folder may help to solve this problem. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to the ‘C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS’ folder.
- Select and delete all the files that are present in this folder.
- After deleting all files in the folder, try printing your documents again.
Check for Printer Driver Issues
The problem with the printer driver can also cause the printer spooler to encounter errors. In this case, uninstalling and then reinstalling the printer driver may help to resolve the issue. Here are the steps to follow:
- Press the Windows key + R key to open the Run box.
- Type ‘devmgmt.msc’ into the search box and hit Enter.
- Locate the printer in the list of devices.
- Right-click on the printer and select ‘Uninstall device’ from the drop-down menu.
- After uninstalling the printer driver, download and install the latest version from the printer manufacturer’s website.
Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Windows has an in-built Printer Troubleshooter that can help to identify and solve common printer issues. Running the Printer Troubleshooter may help to fix the printer spooler error message. Here’s how to run the Printer Troubleshooter:
- Go to the Control Panel and click on ‘Troubleshooting’.
- Select ‘View all’ option from the left pane.
- Click on ‘Printer’ and then click on ‘Advanced’.
- Check the box for ‘Apply repairs automatically’ and click on ‘Next’.
the printer spooler error message can be quite frustrating, but it can be resolved using the methods outlined above.
If you’ve tried all the above methods and the problem persists, consider consulting an expert to help you resolve the issue.
How to Restart the Printer Spooler Service
Encountering an error accessing the printer spooler can be frustrating, especially when you need to print important documents or presentations.
Fortunately, restarting the printer spooler service can resolve this issue. In this article, we will discuss how to restart the printer spooler service so that you can get back to printing smoothly.
What is a Printer Spooler Service?
Before we dive into the steps, let’s first understand what a printer spooler service is. In simple terms, a printer spooler is a software program that manages all the print jobs that are sent to a printer.
It queues these jobs and sends them to the printer in an orderly fashion, ensuring that they are printed correctly.
When there is an error accessing the printer spooler, it means that the queue has been interrupted and the jobs cannot be printed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Restart Printer Spooler Service
Restarting the printer spooler service involves a few simple steps that anyone can follow. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This opens the Run dialog box.
- Type “services.msc” without quotes in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will open the Services window.
- Scroll down the list of services and locate “Print Spooler”.
- Right-click on “Print Spooler” and select “Stop” from the context menu. This will stop the printer spooler service.
- After stopping the service, right-click on “Print Spooler” again and select “Start”. This will start the service again.
- Close the Services window and try printing your documents again.
Why Restarting the Printer Spooler Service Works?
You may be wondering why restarting the printer spooler service can resolve the error accessing printer spooler.
The answer is simple. The printer spooler service can sometimes encounter issues that cause it to malfunction.
This can happen due to numerous reasons. Restarting the service clears any stuck print jobs or errors in the queue that were causing the issue.
Once the service is restarted, it begins to work as normal, and printing can resume without any problem.
Restarting the printer spooler service is a quick and easy solution to the error accessing printer spooler. This method works in most cases, and you can easily do it by following the step-by-step guide given above.
Remember to try this solution the next time you encounter any issues while printing documents. In case the problem persists, you may need to seek professional help or perform further troubleshooting to resolve it. Happy printing!
Using Windows troubleshooter to fix printer spooler error
Dealing with a printer spooler error on your Windows operating system can be a real hassle. It can prevent you from printing documents or even installing new printers. People often don’t know what to do when they see this error message on their screen.
Thankfully, the Windows operating system has a built-in troubleshooting tool that can help you fix many printer-related issues, including the printer spooler error. In this article, we’ll explain how to use the Windows troubleshooter to fix printer spooler error.
Step 1: Run the troubleshooter
The first step to using the Windows troubleshooter is to open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu and selecting “Settings” from the list of options.
Once you have the Settings app open, click on “Update & Security.” From there, select “Troubleshoot” and then “Printer.” Finally, click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button.
Step 2: Follow the instructions provided by the troubleshooter
Once you click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button, Windows will scan your system for any printer-related issues. If it finds any issues, it will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to fix them.
Follow the instructions provided by the troubleshooter to fix the printer spooler error. In most cases, this will resolve the issue, and you’ll be able to use your printer again.
Step 3: Restart the spooler service
If the troubleshooter is unable to fix the printer spooler error, you may need to restart the spooler service manually.
To do this, go to the Start menu and type “services” in the search box. From there, click on “Services” to open the Services app.
Look for the “Print Spooler” service and right-click on it. Select “Restart” from the list of options. Once you’ve restarted the Print Spooler service, try printing a test page to see if the issue has been resolved.
Step 4: Uninstall and reinstall the printer driver
If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the printer driver. To do this, go to the Start menu and type “device manager” in the search box.
Select “Device Manager” from the list of options. From there, find your printer in the list of devices and right-click on it. Select “Uninstall device” from the list of options. Once the printer driver is uninstalled, restart your computer.
After your computer has restarted, go back to the Device Manager and select “Action” from the top menu. From there, select “Scan for hardware changes.” This will automatically reinstall the printer driver and may resolve the printer spooler error.
Step 5: Contact technical support
If none of the above steps resolves the printer spooler error, you may need to contact the technical support department of your printer manufacturer for further assistance.
They may be able to provide you with additional troubleshooting steps or offer a replacement if your printer is still under warranty.
the printer spooler error can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be. The Windows troubleshooter is a powerful tool that can help you fix many printer-related issues, including the printer spooler error.
Hopefully, the steps outlined in this article have helped you resolve the issue and get back to printing your important documents.