Restore the Windows 7 printing subsystem. The Print Spooler service crashes: how to fix it

While chatting on one of the computer forums, I suddenly came across a completely strange-looking question: what to do if the Print Spooler service suddenly stops (turns off) on a computer with Windows 7. It would seem, does this even happen? Microsoft seems to have done its best in the 7th version of Windows, saving users from all the print manager glitches characteristic of Windows XP.

Nevertheless, the issue turned out to be serious, the problem is real, and the case itself is far from isolated. Based on this, we had to “pull ourselves up” and find a simple and sufficient effective solution to resolve this issue. Do you want to know what it is?

Briefly about the reasons

In principle, as expected, in order to solve a problem, you first need to figure out why it actually arose. No sooner said than done. Having rummaged through the settings of computers with a problematic print manager, several factors were miraculously discovered that contributed to the premature death of this previously quite tolerably working service in Windows 7. In particular, among the reasons for this problem were:

viruses that have successfully settled in the system;
outdated and incorrectly installed (incompatible) printer drivers;
unlicensed version of Windows;
general overload of the computer with all sorts of junk files, which led to slowdown of processes running in Windows.

Based on this, options for getting rid of problems in the print manager suggested themselves, although initially in the form of the familiar “poke method”. Let's look at what they look like and how to use them in practice.

Ways to solve the problem: step-by-step instructions

Without knowing exactly which of the reasons led to the problem in the print service on a computer with Windows 7, you should start by checking the system for viruses. Why? Because in more than half of the cases, they are the ones who are responsible for the fact that the dispatcher stops without any warning.

Step #1: Antivirus Scan

Without wandering into the wilds, we note that best way to check Windows 7 for viruses is to scan it with one of antivirus utilities, for example, using the AVZ program, Dr.Web CureIt or one of the online services for this purpose, for example, Security Scan from Kaspersky Lab, Online Scanner from ESET, etc.

Don't be surprised if similar utilities discover a problem in the antivirus installed on the computer: this happens quite often. In this case, disabling either complete removal antivirus program. However, if the check does not reveal any “oddities,” you will have to look further for the cause and solution.

Step No. 2: Checking the functionality of the service

After Windows checks 7 for viruses, of course, it would be a good idea to scan it for the presence system errors, for example, using the sfc /scannow command specified for execution in the Run utility:

However, given that such a process takes quite a lot of time, you can skip this step and go straight to checking the functionality of the print service itself. To do this, just enter the corresponding query in the search bar built into the Start menu:

One way or another, after opening the “Services” window, we are required to find the “Print Manager” item, and then, using the appropriate buttons, first disable this system program and then enable it.

If this does not return the dispatcher to normal, disable it again and go to drive C. Here we find Drivers folder and safely delete all its contents using Del:

After this, we return to the “Services” window, restart the print manager and proceed to reinstalling the drivers.

Step No. 3: Install the “drivers”

So, in order to bring the print manager back to life in Windows 7, all we have to do is reinstall the drivers for the printer we are using. There are several options for performing this task (read about them). However, it is best to look at the device manufacturer’s website and download the “firewood” from there. If this is not possible, or new software for the printer is not found, you can get by with the installation using Windows tools 7. In this case, we will act like this:

After this, we wait for the automatic driver installation to complete and check the operation of the printer. As a result, if all the steps were performed correctly, problems with the print manager are left behind: the program works like clockwork and no longer unexpectedly stops when performing the tasks assigned to it. However, if the problem recurs after installing the driver, the “Recovery” utility built into Windows 7 can help solve it:

Often, printer users are faced with the fact that the printing subsystem is unavailable or the print manager stops. Subject to availability similar malfunctions, the device does not allow you to complete printing of documents or even asks you to restart the printing subsystem. Particularly relevant this problem is for users operating system Windows 7.

Causes of the problem

If the printing subsystem is inaccessible and the printer practically does not work, then you need to find the cause of this problem and correct the device by eliminating it, then start it and make a test printout. To do this, you have to dig into the settings of your personal computer, because reasons that the service windows print 7 started to stop by itself are software.

One of the most common causes of the described malfunction is virus programs, which have safely and reliably settled in the PC operating system, disrupting the normal operation of the printer connected to it.
Using an unlicensed version of the Windows 7 operating system can also cause a device that works normally on other PCs to suddenly stop performing its function due to problems with the Windows print service.
Incorrectly installed, incompatible and simply outdated drivers Printer problems may also cause the above problem.
Another source of the problem is the general overload of PC memory by different unnecessary files, i.e. kind of "garbage". Their presence can lead to processes running in the OS significantly slowing down.

Checking the Print Service

To try to resolve the problem of the printing process stopping, try scanning the entire operating room. Windows system 7 for possible system errors. To do this, you need to open the “Run” utility and enter the “sfc /scannow” command into it.

But due to the fact that this process usually takes a lot of time, then if you want and are in a hurry, you can skip this step and go directly to checking the OS print service itself. To do this, enter in search bar, built into “Start”, request “Services” and open this window. In the list that appears, find "Print Manager" and disable this program from the OS, after which you need to enable it again. If this simple action does not help you and the manager responsible for printing does not return to normal operating status, then uninstall the printer drivers. Next, return to the “Services” window and launch the right dispatcher, proceed with the installation procedure more new version Software for your printing device.

Installing drivers

To return the manager responsible for printing documents in Windows 7, you need to try reinstalling the driver for your device. To solve this problem there are several in various ways. For example, you can search for updates for your device by visiting the manufacturer’s official website. If new software for the device was not found or you do not have such an opportunity, then use the installation using the tools offered by the OS itself.

In the first step, make sure that the running printer is securely connected to the personal computer.
Run the “Run” utility and enter the “hdwwiz” task there.
In the window that opens, find the “Next” button and click on it.
To install, select “Search…” and click “Next”. This way you will launch a wizard that will help you find new hardware and install it automatically.
On last step you need to wait until automatic installation drivers for your device will be completed.

If everything is done correctly in accordance with the instructions, then the problem associated with the print manager should be left behind. If this does not help, then read the next recommendation.

Scanning with an antivirus utility

To troubleshoot print spooler problems, try performing an anti-virus scan using any reliable and popular antivirus utility, for example, Dw.Web, AVG, etc. You can also use some online service, for example, Online Scanner from ESET, Security Scan from Kaspersky, etc. Don't be surprised if the utility you're using unexpectedly reveals a problem with your antivirus software installed on your PC. To troubleshoot Print Manager, try disabling or completely uninstalling it. installed antivirus. If this doesn't help, then move on to the next step.

Another solution to the problem

First, open the “PRINTERS” folder with administrator rights, which is located at this path: Windows\System32\spool\. Delete all its contents - if some files will not be deleted due to their use by the system, then clean them in safe mode.
From the Services menu, which can be opened by clicking on the administration icon located in the Control Panel menu, select Print Spooler.

Find the Startup Type option and set the value to Auto if it is not already set.
Start the print service in forced mode button and try printing test sheets.

If none of the above helps, then use the built-in utility in Windows 7 called System Restore. It can eliminate all those breakdowns and problems that block normal work PC or slow it down. The recovery process only affects recently installed software applications and drivers that can be removed. But keep in mind that fixing a print service problem this way should only be done as a last resort.

While printing documents Windows users 7 may encounter an issue where the print spooler is disabled. It would seem that the developers of the operating system tried and corrected all the printing glitches characteristic of earlier versions Windows. What to do in this case and how to solve the problem?

Reasons for stopping the print spooler

If you encounter a problem when the print spooler stops, then the causes of the problem may lie in the following factors:

The system is infected with a virus;
Pirated OS version;
Outdated or incorrectly installed drivers;
Equipment incompatibility;
Shortage RAM to carry out printing processes.

Based on these reasons, solutions to the problem suggest themselves.

Ways to solve the problem

If you don't know what caused the print spooler to stop, you might want to run a virus scan on your PC. In most cases, it is malware that is to blame for the service error.

To scan your PC, you can select the Dr.Web utility or any other updated anti-virus program.

After checking the system and removing malicious objects, you should restart your computer.

After entering the command “sfc /scannow”.

Since our problem is related to the print manager, it is worth checking the functionality of the service during a system scan. To do this, click “Start” and enter the request “Services”. Select the desired section.

A new window will open. In the list we find “Print Manager”. You should first stop the service and then start it again.

If these actions could not return the print manager to normal operation, you should disable the service again and go to the address: drive C, folder “Windows”, “System32”, “spool”, “drivers”. We delete all contents in this folder.

After deleting the content, we return to the service and start it again.

Installing new drivers can also be a valid method. For this you should use with the following instructions. Press the key combination “Win + R” and enter “hdwwiz”.

Choose automatic search equipment.

We select the device, port and wait for the search and installation of new drivers. Afterwards we reboot the PC.

If the above methods did not help solve the problem, run and select control point before problems occur.

Print Manager - a service that exists in all versions of Windows, shows how many printers are connected to the computer, as well as documents queued for printing. But with this small program, problems may arise related to its launch or operation, because everyone knows how capricious printers are. The print spooler may turn off, not start at all, freeze, and much more. Solutions to these problems will be discussed later in the article, but first we will figure out how to launch the print manager.

How to Open Print Manager in Windows 7

Launch your computer control panel.
Opening the control panel
Go to Hardware and Sound section
Open the "Devices and Printers" tab.

Go to Devices and Printers
Here you can find information about all printers and scanners connected to your computer. Click on any of them to see how many and what documents are in the queue for printing.

Looking at the print queue

Why are there problems with it (it turns off, won’t start, etc.)

Over time, problems with this service may occur. following problems: it will stop starting, will start to shut down on its own, freeze or load the processor. Reasons for such errors:

The computer is infected with viruses aimed at blocking services.
System files related to printing in one way or another have been damaged by the user or by a virus.
The drivers for your printer or scanner are out of date or damaged, so it may not detect devices or work with them incorrectly.
The service responsible for printing has been disabled by the user or by conflicting services. This may cause it to disappear from the control panel or become unresponsive.

How to troubleshoot problems

So, the lack of a print service or problems with it will lead to the fact that documents will not print or will do so incorrectly, so you need to deal with this yourself using the instructions below. Methods that can eliminate any of the above problems, and then - solutions for some errors separately.

The first thing you should do is restart your computer so that all programs, tasks and services restart. This might fix the problem since unnecessary applications, conflicting with the dispatcher will be closed.

Reboot the computer

Virus check

It may be due to a virus that is interfering with the printer service, so follow these steps:

Enabling the service and configuring it

The most common cause of printing problems is a disabled or incorrectly configured service. To resolve the error caused by the service, follow these steps:

Using a search engine Windows string, find the “Services” application.
Open the “Services” program
In the general list, find “Print Manager” and select it.

We are looking for the service we need
Click on the “Restart service” button. Check if the device manager is working after this. If not, then follow the next steps.

Restarting the service
Open the service settings by double-clicking on it with LMB and install automatic type start to "Automatic".

Selecting the launch type
Go to the "Recovery" tab.
Go to the “Recovery” section
Set the “Restart service” option in the first two lines. This is necessary so that if an error occurs, the program will automatically restart.
Set the “Restart service” option
Save your changes by clicking the “Apply” button.
Click the “Apply” button
Open the "Login" tab.
Go to the “Login” tab
Disable the feature that allows the program to interact with the desktop by unchecking the corresponding box. It is not necessary to do this, but there are times when an error occurs due to this.
Disable the “Allow to interact with desktop” feature
Restart your computer for the changed settings to take effect. Done, now you need to check if printing works.
Reboot the device

Checking print spooler related services

Perhaps the problem is not in the manager itself, but in the services or programs associated with it. You can find out if this is the reason and eliminate it in the following way:

Reset parameters, update drivers

Perhaps some files or drivers were damaged, because of this the printer service began to freeze or load the processor, so you need to restore everything manually, and for this you must first perform a reset.

Deleting files waiting to be printed

Updating Printer Drivers

The printer drivers may be outdated or not damaged; you need to update them:

Open your computer's control panel.
Launching the control panel
Go to the Hardware and Sound section.

Open the “Hardware and Sound” item
Go to the "Devices and Printers" subsection.

Open the item “Devices and Printers”
Select the printer whose drivers you want to update and open its properties by right-clicking on it.

Open the printer properties
Go to the "Advanced" section.

Go to the “Advanced” tab
Click on the “Change” button and download the previously downloaded drivers. You can download drivers for your printer from the official website of the company that manufactured the device.

Click the New Driver button

Resetting the Printer

It is possible that updating drivers will not work because the files related to the printer have been damaged. In this case, there is only one thing left to do - remove the device and install it again.

System Scan

This method allows you to scan all system files, find errors in them, if any, and automatically fix them.

What to do if the printer manager is loading the processor

If the spoolsv.exe process overloads the processor by more than 20%, then the following may be the reason for this:

There are too many files in the queue. Clear it; how to do this is described above in the paragraph “Deleting files waiting to be printed”;
The lists of devices and printers show unused or non-existent printers. Find them and remove them. How to remove a printer is described in “Resetting the printer”;
The drivers or files of your printer have been damaged, so they cause an error, and because of this, it loads the processor. Reinstall your printer (see above for how to do this);
Perhaps the problem will go away if the service stops starting automatically. To do this, in the Services program, find the Print Spooler service and open its settings. Under Startup Type, select Manual.

Is it possible to reinstall it

The answer to this question is no, this feature is not provided in Windows. All you can do is stop the Device Manager service, clear the document queue, and remove the printer and drivers related to it. The service itself cannot be removed.

So, problems may arise with the print manager in Windows 7, due to which it will turn off, not start, freeze, or load the processor. All these errors can be resolved manually by following the instructions above. Perhaps the solution to the problem can be described on the official website of your printer manufacturer.

In Windows, printing problems often arise: the printer suddenly stops working, turns off, and adding new hardware becomes impossible or problematic. This often makes the work much more difficult and requires quick solution, especially in an office environment. Let's look at the common causes of problems with the print spooler and how to fix them.

Where is

First of all, we need to figure out where exactly we can find this same dispatcher in order to check its state and, if necessary, change its properties. IN Windows Search enter “Services” (this is a classic application, you have it on your computer by default) and press the search button. A window like this appears.

List of services available in Windows

In this long list, we need the Print Manager service. This is exactly what we are looking for and what we will work with in the future.

Why is Print Spooler not listed in the list of services?

Let's make a small digression for those who do not have this service on the list. What to do in this case?

First, try searching for a service called Printer Spooler. This is it, only in the English version. Found it? Then hurray, we’ll continue working with her.

If not, then the second point. Print Manager may also be missing if you are using an unlicensed Windows version. In this case, if everything we talk about below does not help you, you will have to contact a specialist to reinstall the system, and, preferably, this time do not spare money on a license. What should I do?

Another reason why you may not find this service. The print manager may also disappear if you have already tried to do something on the C:\\ drive - deleted some files, ran third party programs. In this case, most likely you deleted this service yourself and you will just need to reinstall it.

And the last, most common cause of problems with this service is the presence of viruses on your equipment. Before you try anything with the print spooler, just scan your computer for viruses. And only if no problems are found, proceed to other actions.

Also, if you don't have a print spooler, try the following steps:

What to do if the Print Manager in Windows 7 randomly turns off

It is worth immediately noting that for the successful operation of the printing service It is necessary that in the “Startup type” column the status is “Automatic”. This will help the dispatcher function normally in the future without your intervention and will save your time and nerves.

If you have the startup type set to automatic, but the service is still disabled, then try the following algorithm:

In 90% of cases the problem is solved - in the future the dispatcher will work without failures. If not, read on.

Startup problems

This is the issue we will clarify and correct together with the elimination system Windows problems. To do this:

All these actions are another 5% of the successful outcome of the case.

How to start the service

Let us remind you once again: by default the service should have automatic start services. If this is not the case and you do not want to install it, then you will have to start the service manually. If the service is stopped, then in the services window (first picture) opposite the name the word “Start service” will be underlined. Click, wait, work. This must be done every time the system is turned on. But it’s better to set automatic downloading.

What to do if it is unstable

If restarting the service (see above how to do it) does not help, or helps, but only once, then the simplest and in a fast way will check and update hardware drivers. Let's show it with an example. We have Canon printer Pixma.

If the drivers are up to date, the system will report this, if not, it will update. In any case, after these steps, outdated printer drivers will no longer cause printing problems.

It also wouldn't hurt download and run the official one to check Microsoft program just in case. Link here. The program is easy to use and intuitive.

What to do if your processor is running slower

In most cases, the reason is one thing - the print queue is loaded. Start Menu, Control Panel. This time we need “Printers and Faxes”. The system printer, which stores all documents in the print queue, will begin with the word “Microsoft”. Most likely it will be " Microsoft Office Document Image Writer", but names may vary. Right button mice, context menu, clear the print queue.

If this does not help, then restart the “Print Manager” service (all this has already been described today).

Is it possible to reinstall

Yes, it's quite possible. However, it is worth noting that this will require at least basic level knowledge about the device software Your computer. Without such knowledge, you can not only not solve the problem, but also create many new ones, this time with other services.

So, the most common causes of printing problems: viruses, unlicensed software, careless user actions, outdated drivers, incorrect settings printing services. Most of them can be solved using improvised methods and do not require much time and effort. However, if the problem is recurring, the most reasonable solution would be to entrust the issue to a specialist so as not to aggravate the problem. current problem and not create new ones.