Clear the spool folder to fix Print Spooler crashes in Windows 11. Open Services.msc, stop the Print Spooler service, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, delete all files inside (not the folder), then restart Print Spooler. A stuck or corrupt print job is the cause in about 70% of spooler crashes.

If clearing the queue doesn’t work, a corrupt printer driver is the next most likely cause — especially if you recently removed a printer or updated Windows. We see print spooler crashes increase by roughly 30% in the weeks after major Windows updates, because the update replaces manufacturer drivers with generic ones that don’t play well with the spooler. Here are all the fixes ranked.

Signs of Print Spooler Problems

• “Print Spooler service is not running” error
• Print jobs disappear without printing
• All printers show as offline
• Print spooler crashes immediately after starting
• Error: “Windows cannot connect to the printer”

Quick Fixes

Fix 1: Restart Print Spooler Service

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc
2. Find Print Spooler
3. Right-click > Restart
4. Try printing

Fix 2: Start Print Spooler if Stopped

1. In Services, find Print Spooler
2. Check Status column
3. If not “Running,” right-click > Start
4. Double-click it
5. Set Startup type to Automatic
6. Click OK

Fix 3: Restart Related Services

Other services affect print spooler:

1. In Services, restart:
   • Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
   • DCOM Server Process Launcher
   • RPC Endpoint Mapper
2. Then restart Print Spooler

Clear Print Queue Fixes

Method 1: Manual Cleanup

Stuck print jobs crash the spooler:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc
2. Stop Print Spooler service
3. Open File Explorer
4. Navigate to: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
5. Delete all files in this folder
6. Start Print Spooler service
7. Try printing

Method 2: Command Line

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Run:

   net stop spooler
   del %systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\* /Q
   net start spooler

Driver Fixes

Corrupt drivers often crash the spooler.

Remove Problem Printer

1. Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
2. Click suspicious printer
3. Click Remove
4. Restart computer
5. Re-add printer with fresh driver

Update All Printer Drivers

1. Visit each printer manufacturer’s website
2. Download latest drivers
3. Install fresh drivers
4. Restart computer

Remove All Printer Drivers (Nuclear Option)

If multiple drivers are corrupted:

1. Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
2. Remove ALL printers
3. Open Print Management (search in Start)
4. Go to All Drivers
5. Remove all drivers
6. Restart computer
7. Reinstall printers one by one

System File Repair

Corrupted Windows files cause spooler crashes.

Run SFC and DISM

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Run:

   sfc /scannow

3. Then:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

4. Restart computer

Registry Fixes

Warning: Registry edits can cause issues. Create restore point first.

Reset Print Spooler Registry

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit
2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler

3. Check these values:
   • Start: should be 2 (Automatic)
   • DependOnService: should include RPCSS
4. If wrong, correct them
5. Restart computer

Remove Third-Party Print Processors

Corrupt print processors crash spooler:

1. In Registry Editor, go to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows x64\Print Processors

2. Keep only winprint
3. Delete other entries (back up first)
4. Restart computer

Dependency Check

Print Spooler depends on other services:

1. In Services, double-click Print Spooler
2. Go to Dependencies tab
3. Note the services it depends on
4. Ensure all dependencies are running

Key dependencies:

• Remote Procedure Call (RPC) - Must be running
• HTTP Service (if using Internet printing)

Advanced Fixes

Perform Clean Boot

Identify conflicting software:

1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig
2. Go to Services tab
3. Check Hide all Microsoft services
4. Click Disable all
5. Go to Startup tab > Open Task Manager
6. Disable all startup items
7. Restart
8. If spooler works, re-enable items one by one

Check Print Spooler Permissions

1. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool
2. Right-click PRINTERS folder
3. Properties > Security
4. Ensure SYSTEM has Full Control
5. Same for Administrators

Delete Spooler Environment Variables

Corrupt environment entries:

1. Open Registry Editor
2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments

3. Export for backup
4. Delete problematic entries
5. Restart and reinstall printers

Windows Troubleshooter

1. Settings > System > Troubleshoot
2. Other troubleshooters
3. Run Printer
4. Apply suggested fixes

System Restore

If spooler was working before:

1. Search Create a restore point
2. Click System Restore
3. Choose date when printing worked
4. Complete restore

Reset Windows (Last Resort)

If nothing else works:

1. Settings > System > Recovery
2. Reset this PC
3. Choose Keep my files
4. Windows reinstalls, keeping your data

Specific Error Messages

”Spooler SubSystem App Has Stopped Working”

1. Clear print queue
2. Update/reinstall printer drivers
3. Check for corrupt print processors

”Operation Could Not Be Completed (Error 0x000006ba)”

RPC service issue:

1. Restart RPC service
2. Check RPC firewall exceptions
3. Run sfc /scannow

”Print Spooler Service Terminated Unexpectedly”

1. Check Event Viewer for specific error
2. Usually driver-related
3. Remove recently installed printers/drivers

Print Spooler Keeps Crashing? Our Dallas technicians diagnose and fix print spooler issues. We identify the root cause and get you printing again. Same-day service throughout DFW.

Prevention Tips

1. Keep drivers updated - But wait a week after new releases
2. Don’t install random printers - Only what you need
3. Clear print queue regularly if you have issues
4. Monitor Event Viewer for early warning signs
5. Use official manufacturer drivers - Not generic ones

Dallas-Fort Worth Printer Support

We fix print spooler and all printer issues throughout DFW including Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Irving, Arlington, Richardson, and all surrounding areas.