Top 6 Ways to Fix Print Spooler Keeps Stopping on Windows 11
Print Spooler is a service that manages all print jobs on your PC. It is responsible for sending print requests to the printer and managing the print queue. However, at times, the print spooler may stop working, and you may see an error message that says “Print Spooler keeps stopping.” This can be frustrating, especially if you are in the middle of completing an important printing task. In this article, we will discuss the top 6 ways to fix Print Spooler Keeps Stopping on Windows 11.
1. Restart the Print Spooler Service
The first step to fix the issue is to restart the Print Spooler service. To do this, press the Windows key + R, type “services.msc,” and press Enter. In the Services window, find the Print Spooler service and right-click on it. Select Restart from the context menu. This should restart the Print Spooler service.
2. Clear Print Spooler Files
The Print Spooler files may get corrupt or damaged, causing the error message to appear. To fix this, you can clear the Print Spooler files. Go to the Services window and stop the Print Spooler service. Then, navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS folder and delete all the files in the folder. Finally, restart the Print Spooler service.
3. Update Printer Drivers
Outdated, corrupt, or incompatible printer drivers can also cause the Print Spooler to stop working. Updating the printer drivers to their latest versions can fix the issue. To update the printer drivers, go to the Device Manager, find the printer, and right-click on it. Select Update driver from the context menu.
4. Run SFC Scan
The System File Checker (SFC) tool scans the system for corrupt system files and repairs them. Running the SFC scan can fix any issues with the Print Spooler service. To run the SFC scan, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “sfc /scannow” in the command prompt. Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete.
5. Run DISM Scan
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool is used to repair the Windows system image. Running the DISM scan can fix any issues with the Print Spooler service. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” in the command prompt. Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete.
6. Reinstall the Print Spooler
If none of the above methods work, you can try to reinstall the Print Spooler. To do this, go to the Services window, find the Print Spooler service, right-click on it, and select Stop. Then, navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\spool folder, right-click on the PRINTERS folder, and select Delete. Finally, restart the Print Spooler service.
In conclusion, the Print Spooler Keeps Stopping on Windows 11 can be frustrating, but there are solutions available to fix it. Try the above methods one by one until the issue is resolved. If the issue persists, it may be best to seek professional help.