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Fix Windows XP Print Spooler Service Not Running

In this article, I will discuss how to fix the Windows XP Print Spooler Service when it is not running.

Restarting the Service

Windows XP start button

To restart the Print Spooler service on Windows XP, follow these steps:

1. Open the Services console by pressing Windows Key + R, typing “services.msc” and hitting Enter.

2. Scroll down and locate the Print Spooler service in the list.

3. Right-click on the Print Spooler service and select “Restart” from the context menu.

4. Wait for the service to stop and start again.

5. Close the Services console and try printing a document to see if the issue has been resolved.

If restarting the Print Spooler service does not fix the problem, you may need to troubleshoot further or seek additional assistance.

Updating the Printer Driver

Printer driver update screen.

To update the printer driver, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter to open the Device Manager.

Step 3: Locate your printer under the “Print queues” category.

Step 4: Right-click on your printer and select “Update driver.”

Step 5: Choose to search automatically for updated driver software.

Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update process.

If updating the driver does not resolve the issue, you may need to troubleshoot other aspects of the print spooler service.

Running the Troubleshooter

  1. Open Control Panel by clicking on the Start button and selecting Control Panel.
    • Alternatively, you can press Windows key + R, type “control” and press Enter.
  2. Click on Troubleshooting and then select View all in the left pane.
    • This will display a list of all the available troubleshooters on your system.
  3. Scroll down and locate Printer in the list of troubleshooters.
    • Click on it and then click on Next to run the troubleshooter.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
    • The troubleshooter will automatically detect and fix any issues related to the Print Spooler service.
  5. Restart your computer after the troubleshooting process is complete.

Understanding the Issue

Understanding the Issue in “Fix Windows XP Print Spooler Service Not Running”

In the article titled “Fix Windows XP Print Spooler Service Not Running”, the issue of the print spooler service not running on Windows XP is discussed. The print spooler service is a crucial component of the Windows operating system that manages the printing process. When this service is not running, users are unable to print documents from their computer.

The article explains that there can be several reasons why the print spooler service is not running, such as corrupt system files, conflicting printer drivers, or malware infections. It also provides step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and fix the issue, including restarting the print spooler service, updating printer drivers, and running a malware scan.

By understanding the underlying causes of the print spooler service not running on Windows XP and following the recommended solutions outlined in the article, users can effectively resolve the issue and resume printing from their computer.

FAQs

How do I reset my printer spooler in Windows XP?

To reset the printer spooler in Windows XP, you can access the services app by pressing the windows or start icon, then stopping and restarting the ‘Printer spooler’ service.

What causes the print spooler to stop running?

The print spooler stops running due to misconfiguration or service problems, leading to print jobs getting stuck in the queue and errors preventing proper restart.

Did Microsoft fix the print spooler problem?

Microsoft has fixed the print spooler problem by addressing the vulnerability and releasing a security patch, which now includes the updated severity of Remote Code Execution.

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