"Print Spooler service isn't running"


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #1

    "Print Spooler service isn't running"


    For some reason, my printer doesn't show up in applications such as Microsoft Word or Libre Office, although I'm sure that it's connected properly to the computer because it still lets me scan documents. When I troubleshoot the printer, I get this error message: "The Print Spooler service isn't running".
    "Print Spooler service isn't running"-capture.png

    What should I do?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #2

    Print spooler is a service that is supposed to load automatically. To see it, right-click at This PC and select Manage. Then click on Services and find the Print spooler. It should be automatic and running. If it is not running try to start it. If it is not set to automatic, set it. Post again with any error messages to help. Also tell us the model of your printer. If it is an HP, you can download and run Printer and scanner Doctor which attempts to identify the problem and fix it.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Dependencies Error


    spapakons said:
    Print spooler is a service that is supposed to load automatically. To see it, right-click at This PC and select Manage. Then click on Services and find the Print spooler. It should be automatic and running. If it is not running try to start it. If it is not set to automatic, set it. Post again with any error messages to help. Also tell us the model of your printer. If it is an HP, you can download and run Printer and scanner Doctor which attempts to identify the problem and fix it.
    Thanks so much for the reply! When I checked services.msc, I found that print spooler was set to automatic. However, when I tried to start the service, I got this error:
    "Print Spooler service isn't running"-.png

    I right clicked the service and opened up "properties" and checked the dependencies, and this is what I got:
    "Print Spooler service isn't running"-b.png
    I checked services.msc to see the status of all those services, and I saw that all of them were set on "automatic" and were running, except for "HTTP Service". For some reason, I coudn't find that under services.msc:
    "Print Spooler service isn't running"-c.png

    What should I do from here? Is there anyway to enable the "HTTP Service"? Also, I recently installed Apache on my computer and made some changes to HTTP settings and whatnot, does that have to do with anything?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails "Print Spooler service isn't running"-capture.png  
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    spapakons said:
    Print spooler is a service that is supposed to load automatically. To see it, right-click at This PC and select Manage. Then click on Services and find the Print spooler. It should be automatic and running. If it is not running try to start it. If it is not set to automatic, set it. Post again with any error messages to help. Also tell us the model of your printer. If it is an HP, you can download and run Printer and scanner Doctor which attempts to identify the problem and fix it.
    Also, my printer is a Brother MFC-240c
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #5

    The only service containing HTTP in the description, is WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service, but I am not sure if this is it. In my installation it is set to manual and running. Try setting that to auto and start it if not running. Try downloading latest printer drivers from Brother and see if that fixes the problem.

    Also press Win+R to open a Run dialog and execute

    sfc /scannow

    to fix any system file errors.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    spapakons said:
    The only service containing HTTP in the description, is WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service, but I am not sure if this is it. In my installation it is set to manual and running. Try setting that to auto and start it if not running. Try downloading latest printer drivers from Brother and see if that fixes the problem.

    Also press Win+R to open a Run dialog and execute

    sfc /scannow

    to fix any system file errors.
    WinHTTP is set to manual and running for me as well. I restarted it, and then tried to start the print spooler service again, but no luck (same "dependency" error). As for drivers from Brother, I ran the firmware updater for Windows 10 from here, but it said that it didn't detect the printer (which is weird, because my computer is definitely connected to my printer, it lets me scan images). I also ran sfc /scannow from run.exe, but it didn't say anything, I didn't get any error messages, confirmations, nothing...

    What should I do?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #7

    Try to extract the driver files in a folder and then manually update/install your printer from Device Manager by browsing to the folder. Another thing to try is to disconnect the printer, uninstall the software and then have a look at Device Manager. Click View->Show hidden devices and then look in Printers and Print queue for any reference to the printer/scanner. Delete any found. Make sure the printer in nowhere in Device Manager and also in Devices and printers. Reboot the computer, install the software again and connect the printer when prompted.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #8

    I know that this response will be a little late to the party, but I was having the same problem and I think I fixed it.
    I went through the steps above, going into Services, double-clicking or right-clicking on Printer Spool then going into the properties.
    "Print Spooler service isn't running"-screenshot-19-.png
    Under General, where it says Service Status, I clicked Start. After this my printer services seemed to be up and running again without fault.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:21.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums