Windows can’t open add printer: The local print spooler service is not running

Your operating system comes with a small program called the Print Spooler. It enables you to send multiple print jobs to a queue without having to hold off until the first print job is finished. If the print spooler service stops functioning, Windows will display the print spooler service is not running error.

It is a frequent error that happens with print jobs. The error, though, could have several causes. This error message might appear while setting up a new printer, following the installation of an update, or after upgrading your router. In any case, the troubleshooting steps listed below should help you fix this Windows error.

For your printer to function properly, the Print Spooler service is crucial. The error message “local print spooler service is not running” may signify an incorrect configuration or a problem with the computer drivers. Even though there could be a variety of causes for this error, fixing it is typically not too difficult.

Ever get stuck in the Windows Can’t Open Add Printer screen? Please restart the spooler or the computer if the Local Print Spooler Service Is Not Running Windows Error message appears. Or, if you frequently experience this kind of error issue with your PC, do not become too frustrated right away because we will address this issue in our article below.

How the error message “The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running” Appears?

The various types of print spooler errors include the following:

• The printer and Windows cannot communicate. There is no activity from the local print spooler service.
• “The operation was unable to be finished. There is a problem with the print spooler service.
• Whatever error you run into, there are always the same fixes.

1. Start the printer trouble-shooter.

You can identify and address printing issues with Windows 10 and 11’s integrated Printer trouble-shooter. The system is scanned for common print issues by the trouble-shooter, which then fixes them automatically. This is how to use it.

• For Settings to open, press Win + I.
• In the left pane, select the System tab.
• Scroll down and click on Troubleshoot in the right pane.
• Click Next after selecting the printer you want to troubleshoot.
• As soon as the scan is finished, see if it identifies any issues. Apply any available recommended fixes after that.

2. Change the Automatic start-up type for the Print Spooler Service.

The print spooler service is ordinarily configured to launch automatically whenever the system reboots. The service, however, might stop operating if you have it configured to start manually. Using the Services snap-in, you can modify the print spooler service’s start-up type.

To modify the print spooler service’s start-up type:

1. Open Run by pressing Win + R.
2. To launch the Services snap-in, enter services.msc and press OK.
3. Find the Print Spooler service here.
4. Select Properties by performing a right-click on Print Spooler.
5. Click the Startup type drop-down menu and choose Automatic in the pop-up dialog that appears.
6. To save the changes, click Apply and OK.
7. Disabled should be chosen if it is currently set to Automatic. To save the changes, click Apply and OK.
8. After that, change the Startup type to Automatic in the Print Spooler service properties.
9. To save the modifications, select OK and Apply.
10. Restart your PC and then close the Services snap-in. Next, print a document to see if the error “printer spooler service is not running” has been fixed.

3. Delete All Files from the Print Spooler

The print spooler service not running error can be brought on by an excessive number of open or corrupted print jobs. You can manually remove the print spooler files and restart the service to fix this. This is the procedure.

• Open Run by pressing Win + R.
• After entering services.msc, click OK.
• The Print Spooler service can be found and chosen in the Services snap-in.
• Select Stop with a right-click on Print Spooler.
• Press Win + E to launch File Explorer next.
• Go here by using your navigational skills. The following path can be copied and pasted in the File Explorer address bar for quick navigation:
• Clear all of the printer’s folder’s files here. If User Account Control asks you, click Yes (UAC). Only the files contained in the PRINTERS folder should be deleted.
• Return to the Services snap-in after quitting File Explorer.
• Choose Start from the context menu when you right-click the Print Spooler service.

4. Verify the Windows Defender Firewall

It’s possible that Windows Defender Firewall is blocking the connection to your printer if it’s networked, which would explain the error. By temporarily disabling Windows Defender Firewall and starting a new print job, you can verify this assertion.

In order to turn off Windows Defender Firewall:

• For Settings to open, press Win + I.
• In the left pane, select the Privacy & security tab.
• Click Windows Security next.
• Click Open Windows Security to finish.
• In the left pane, select the Firewall & network protection tab.
• Select the Public or Private network that is currently active.
• To disable the firewall, flip the switch next to Microsoft Defender Firewall. If the UAC prompts you, select Yes.
• Try creating a new print job with the Firewall turned off to see if it succeeds.
• Once finished, turn on Windows Defender Firewall security.

Disabling Windows Defender Firewall won’t work if you use your printer frequently. To allow the connection through the Firewall, you will need to look into the problem further.

5. Update the Driver for Your Printer

Your connected device may not function properly if your computer drivers are damaged or out of date. See if updating your printer driver can help you fix the problem. Using Device Manager, you can update the generic printer driver. This is the procedure.

• For Run to open, press Win + I.
• Click OK after entering devmgmt.msc to launch Device Manager.
• Expand the Print queues section in Device Manager.
• Update driver by performing a right-click on your printer.
• Select Find drivers automatically after that. If a new driver update is found, Windows will download and install it.

6. Update the Driver for Your Printer

Your connected device may not function properly if your computer drivers are damaged or out of date. See if updating your printer driver can help you fix the problem. Using Device Manager, you can update the generic printer driver. This is the procedure.

• For Run to open, press Win + I.
• Click OK after entering devmgmt.msc to launch Device Manager.
• Expand the Print queues section in Device Manager.
• Update driver by performing a right-click on your printer.
• Select Find drivers automatically after that. If a new driver update is found, Windows will download and install it. 
• Press the Printers & Scanners button next.
• Click on your printer after finding it.
• Select Yes to confirm your action by clicking the Remove button in the top right corner.
• Restart your computer once you’re finished. After the restart, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the most recent printer drivers to finish the setup.
• The “Print Spooler Service Is Not Running” Error can be resolved
• Frequently, restarting the service or deleting the print queue files will resolve problems with the print spooler service. Investigate any fresh modifications to your system, such as Windows updates or corrupt system files, if the problem still exists. 

Conclusion: 

These are some of the most effective fixes and workarounds for Windows Can’t Open Add Printer. The local Print Spooler Service Is Not Running. Please restart the spooler or the computer Windows PC Error Problem. We sincerely hope that this information will assist you in quickly resolving this error issue.

When resolving this Windows Can’t Open Add Printer issue, if you run into any difficulties. service called print spooler to quickly resolve the Windows PC error code issue, please restart the spooler or the machine if it is not running. Then contact our support team. 

General FAQs