How to Fix a Print Spooler

If you see print spooler error every time you try to print something and restarting print spooler service won't help - here is some useful info on how to fix it on your own.

Steps

1. 
   1
   Press "Windows" + R buttons on your keyboard and type 'cmd' without quotes.
2. 
   2
   In opened window type 'net start spooler' without quotes and look carefully what message you have.
   • If it is Error 1068 "The dependency service or group failed to start" then type the following in the same window: sc config spooler depend= RPCSS (there must be a space after "=" but not before it.)
   • If it is "The required service has been already started" or "The print spooler service started successfully" but you still get error when trying to print - go next.
3. 
   3
   Remove your old printer drivers, then stop print spooler service.
4. 
   4
   Locate files spooler files spoolsv.exe and spoolss.dll in system32 folder.
5. 
   5
   Download this files from dll archive site from the web or copy from your friends PC.
6. 
   6
   Replace files in system32 folder with downloaded ones.
7. 
   7
   Start print spooler and install latest drivers downloaded from the web.

Video

Tips

• Try Microsoft Spooler Fix It - it can redeem some types of spooler errors.
• Use HP Print Diagnostic Utility for HP printers.
• Small tricks that can help in fixing issue:
  • press win r on your keyboard
  • type in "regedit" without quotes
  • locate this tree node HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler
  • to the right-hand side of the window locate “imagepath” icon
  • double-click on it and type in C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
  • press enter
  • reboot