The print spooler is the background Windows service that manages every print job. Restarting it fixes a wide range of stuck-queue and offline errors.

Quick Answer

Open the Services app, find Print Spooler in the list, right-click it, and choose Restart.

On This Page
  1. Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
  2. 1. Open the Services App
  3. 2. Find Print Spooler
  4. 3. Right-Click and Restart
  5. 4. Confirm It's Running
  6. 5. Try Printing Again
  7. What If It's Still Not Fixed?
  8. Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before you start:
  • You'll need administrator access on the computer to restart a system service.

1. Open the Services App

1

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

2. Find Print Spooler

2

Scroll through the alphabetical list until you find "Print Spooler."

3. Right-Click and Restart

3

Right-click the service and select Restart from the menu.

4. Confirm It's Running

4

The Status column should show "Running" once the restart completes.

5. Try Printing Again

5

Resend your document to confirm the spooler restart resolved the issue.

What If It's Still Not Fixed?

If you've worked through every step above and the problem continues, it's worth checking a nearby cause rather than repeating the same steps. The guides below cover the most common related issues.

Still stuck? Try describing the problem in your own words using the search bar — different symptoms of the same root cause are often covered on a related page.

Frequently Asked Questions

It manages the queue of documents waiting to print, sending them to the printer in order and tracking their status.

Yes, restarting it is a routine, low-risk fix, though any jobs currently in the queue will be cleared.

People Also Ask

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  • Move the printer closer to the router, assign it a static IP address, and reduce or disable its power-saving sleep mode. Read the full guide →
  • Run a printhead cleaning cycle and printer alignment after installing a new cartridge — this is a normal, required step, not a fault. Read the full guide →
  • Restart the printer and router, remove and re-add the printer in your system settings, and make sure "Use Printer Offline" is switched off. Read the full guide →

Related Guides

Why Does Print Spooler Keep Stopping? How Do I Clear a Stuck Print Queue? Why Can't I Delete a Print Job?