Ever hit "Print" only to be slapped with a frustrating message that says “The local print spooler service is not running”? It’s annoying—especially when you're in a hurry. Whether you're printing a work report, your kid’s homework, or shipping labels, this error brings everything to a screeching halt.
Let’s break it down and walk you through the step-by-step fixes to get your printer humming again.
Part 1. What Does "Local Print Spooler Service Is Not Running" Mean?
The print spooler service takes your print jobs and hands them off to your printer in the correct order. Without it, your printer gets confused or just doesn't respond at all.
This message means Windows can’t find or start the service that queues print jobs. It's like going to a post office that’s closed—you have mail to send, but there’s no one to process it.
Common Times This Error Shows Up
After a Windows update
Installing a new printer
Removing outdated drivers
Following malware or system crashes
What Causes This Error?
Corrupted Spooler Files: When the files responsible for managing print jobs get corrupted, the whole service fails.
Printer Driver Conflicts: Old, incompatible, or faulty drivers often clash with the spooler service.
Disabled Service: Sometimes, the service is accidentally turned off—manually or by a system error.
Malware or System Issues: Viruses or corrupted system files can interfere with how your system handles printing.
Part 2. How to Fix Local Print Spooler Service is Not Running
Fix 1: Restart the Print Spooler Service
When the spooler service hangs or fails to start correctly, a simple restart can often resolve the problem instantly. This is the first and most straightforward fix to try before diving into deeper troubleshooting.
Through Windows Services
Open services.msc.
Find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.
Via Command Prompt
net stop spooler
net start spooler
This two-line command stops the service and starts it fresh—ideal for quick resets.
Fix 2: Set Spooler to Start Automatically
If your Print Spooler keeps stopping or doesn’t start with Windows, you may need to change its startup settings. Configuring the service to start automatically ensures it's always ready whenever you turn on your PC.
Steps:
Open services.msc.
Double-click Print Spooler.
Set Startup type to Automatic.
Click Apply, then OK to confirm.
Fix 3: Clear Print Spooler Files
Corrupted or stuck print jobs can clog the spooler and cause it to crash. Clearing these temporary files gives the service a clean slate and can instantly fix many printing errors.
Manual Method
Open services.msc and stop the Print Spooler.
Go to: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
Delete all the files in this folder.
Go back and start the Print Spooler service again.
Automated Batch Script
To make cleanup quicker in the future, you can use a batch file:
net stop spooler
del /Q /F %systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*
net start spooler
Save it as ClearSpooler.bat and run it as administrator when needed.
Fix 4: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Faulty or outdated printer drivers are a leading cause of Print Spooler issues. Updating them ensures compatibility with your system and printer, reducing errors and improving performance.
Using Device Manager
Press Win + X and open Device Manager.
Expand the Printers section.
Right-click your printer and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers.
Use Driver Talent X (Recommended)
Driver Talent X simplifies the entire driver update process with one click. It automatically detects printer driver issues and installs the correct versions.
Steps:
Download and launch Driver Talent X.
Click Scan.
Select the Printer driver from the list.
Click Upgrade and follow the prompts.
Fix 5: Run Windows Troubleshooter
Not sure where to start? The built-in Windows Troubleshooter is a helpful tool that scans your system for common problems—including print spooler service failures—and attempts to resolve them automatically.
Steps:
Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Click Printer and then Run.
Let the tool scan and follow any recommended steps.
Fix 6: Use System File Checker and DISM
System file corruption can directly affect core services like the Print Spooler. Using SFC and DISM tools helps repair these hidden issues and restore normal operation without a reinstall.
SFC Scan
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: sfc /scannow
DISM Tool
If SFC doesn’t resolve it, run this command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
This will fix deeper corruption and restore missing system components.
Fix 7: Scan for Malware
Malware can target Windows services to disrupt system functions—including printing. If your spooler service keeps crashing unexpectedly, running a full malware scan is essential.
Steps:
1. Use trusted antivirus tools like:
Malwarebytes
Microsoft Defender Offline
Bitdefender Free
2. Perform a full system scan.
3. Remove any threats and reboot your PC.
Conclusion
The “Local Print Spooler Service is Not Running” error can be a major pain, but thankfully, it’s usually easy to fix. From simply restarting the service to running system scans or using Driver Talent, you've got a full toolbox of solutions at your fingertips.
Don't wait to download Driver Talent X and try it now!
