If printing is stuck, the fastest fix is to restart the Print Spooler service. Open Run (Win + R), type services.msc, find Print Spooler, then Restart it. This clears many temporary spooler glitches.
If jobs are stuck in “Deleting” or the queue will not clear, do a full reset: stop Print Spooler, delete the cached print-job files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, then start Print Spooler again.
If Windows cannot find the printer or the spooler keeps stopping, run the Printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app, then update or reinstall the printer driver and reinstall the printer from Settings if needed.
Quick diagnosis
| What you see | What it usually means | Best first fix |
|---|---|---|
| Print jobs stuck “Deleting” / nothing prints | Queue cache is corrupted or stuck | Clear spool folder + restart spooler |
| Printer “Not recognized” / “Not found” | Connection, spooler glitch, or driver issue | Restart spooler, then driver update ) |
| Printer shows “Offline” | Connection or Windows printer state issue | Run Get Help troubleshooter |
| Spooler service not running | Service crashed, blocked, or system issue | Restart spooler, check Event Viewer if recurring |
Before you start
Close apps that are printing (Word, Acrobat, browser print dialogs). You may need admin rights to stop/start services and delete spool files.
Method 1: Restart the Print Spooler (fastest)
- Press Win + R, type
services.msc, press Enter. - Find Print Spooler.
- Right-click it, select Restart.
If “Restart” is unavailable, choose Start (or Stop then Start).
Method 2: Full reset (fixes stuck “Deleting” and corrupted queues)
This is the most reliable fix when the queue is jammed.
- Press Win + R, type
services.msc, press Enter. - Right-click Print Spooler → Stop.
- Open File Explorer and go to:
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS) - Delete all files inside the PRINTERS folder (do not delete the folder itself).
- Go back to Services → right-click Print Spooler → Start.
It removes only the temporary queued print-job files and forces Windows to rebuild a clean queue.
Method 3: Fix it from Command Prompt or PowerShell (admin)
Use this when the Services UI is slow or you want a repeatable fix.
Commands that restart the spooler
| Tool | Run as admin | Commands |
|---|---|---|
| Command Prompt | Yes | net stop spooler then net start spooler |
| PowerShell | Yes | Restart-Service -Name spooler |
Command Prompt: restart + clear the spool folder
Run Command Prompt as admin, then:
net stop spooler
del /q /f /s "%SystemRoot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*"
net start spooler
That del line deletes the same cached files you would delete manually in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
If the spooler keeps breaking, do these next
1) Run the automated Printer troubleshooter (Windows 11)
Microsoft recommends using the Get Help app troubleshooter for printer problems (including offline states).
2) Update or reinstall the printer driver (Device Manager)
- Open Start → search Device Manager.
- Expand Printers.
- Right-click your printer → Update driver.
- If updates do not help: Uninstall device, reboot, and let Windows reinstall.
3) Remove and reinstall the printer (Settings)
If Windows printing is messed up after driver or queue issues, reinstalling often resets the whole chain:
- Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Remove, then Add device.
4) Check basics that still cause “spooler” symptoms
- Power cycle printer: turn off, unplug 30 seconds, plug back, turn on.
- Confirm USB cable and port, or confirm printer is on the same Wi-Fi.
Extra checks for IT and power users
If Print Spooler will not stay running:
- Check Event Viewer for spooler or print provider errors.
- Confirm no Group Policy is disabling the spooler (common in managed environments as a security mitigation).
- Update printer drivers and print components, and consider AV conflicts if crashes started after a change.
FAQs
Where is the spooler cache folder on Windows 11?C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
Is it safe to delete files in the PRINTERS folder?
Yes, that folder stores queued print-job files. Deleting them clears stuck jobs.
Do I need to restart the PC after clearing the queue?
Usually no. Restarting the Print Spooler is often enough, but Microsoft also suggests restarting the printer and PC if the issue persists.
What if the printer is “Not found” or “Not recognized”?
Restart the spooler, then update or reinstall drivers, and run the Get Help troubleshooter.
How do I uninstall and reinstall a printer in Windows 11?
Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → select printer → Remove, then Add device.
What if Print Spooler keeps stopping by itself?
Check Event Viewer, make sure policy is not disabling it, and update drivers.
Does restarting the spooler help with “printer offline”?
It can, but start with the Get Help Printer troubleshooter for offline issues.
Will these steps work for USB and network printers?
Yes. The spooler manages the Windows print queue regardless of how the printer connects.
I cleared PRINTERS but it’s still broken. What next?
Update or reinstall the driver, then remove and re-add the printer.
Do I need admin rights for these fixes?
Stopping/starting services and clearing C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS typically requires admin permissions.
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