A print spooler that repeatedly crashes is usually caused by a corrupted driver or a damaged job file that keeps re-triggering the crash.

Quick Answer

Clear the spooler folder of temporary files, then update or reinstall the printer driver, which is the most common cause of repeated crashes.

On This Page
  1. Common Reasons This Happens
  2. Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
  3. 1. Stop the Print Spooler
  4. 2. Clear the Spooler Folder
  5. 3. Update the Printer Driver
  6. 4. Remove Conflicting Software
  7. 5. Restart the Spooler Service
  8. What If It's Still Not Fixed?
  9. Frequently Asked Questions

Common Reasons print spooler keep stopping

A corrupted driver

A damaged driver file can repeatedly crash the spooler service every time it tries to process a job.

A damaged job file

One specific stuck job can crash the service every time it attempts to process the queue.

Conflicting printer software

Multiple printer utilities installed at once can interfere with the spooler service.

Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before you start:
  • Check Event Viewer for spooler-related crash logs.
  • Note whether the crash only happens when printing a specific document.

1. Stop the Print Spooler

1

Open Services, find Print Spooler, and stop it before making changes.

2. Clear the Spooler Folder

2

Delete all files inside the temporary spooler folder to remove any damaged job causing the crash.

3. Update the Printer Driver

3

Install the latest driver directly from the manufacturer to replace a potentially corrupted file.

4. Remove Conflicting Software

4

Uninstall any duplicate or outdated printer utilities that might interfere with the spooler.

5. Restart the Spooler Service

5

Start the service again and confirm it stays running.

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

If the spooler stays stable after removing the printer driver but crashes again once reinstalled, the driver is the likely cause.

People Also Ask

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  • Run a printhead cleaning cycle and a nozzle check, and gently clean the encoder strip inside the printer if lines continue. Read the full guide →
  • Confirm the printer and computer share the same network, enable network discovery, and restart both devices before searching again. Read the full guide →
  • Confirm both devices are on the same WiFi network, restart the printer, and check that your router allows Bonjour/mDNS traffic. Read the full guide →

Related Guides

How Do I Restart the Print Spooler? Why Does My Printer Say Driver Unavailable? How Do I Clear a Stuck Print Queue?