The printer spooler service on Windows 7 is responsible for managing the printing process, ensuring that print jobs are spooled and sent to the printer in a timely and orderly manner. However, this service can sometimes encounter issues that may require it to be restarted. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to restart the printer spooler service as an administrator in Windows 7, providing step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips to ensure a seamless printing experience.
To begin the process, navigate to the Windows Start menu, either through the taskbar or the keyboard shortcut (Windows Key). In the search field, type “Services” and click on the “Services” shortcut that appears in the results. This will open the Services window, which displays a comprehensive list of all services running on your Windows 7 system. Scroll down the list until you locate the “Print Spooler” service. Right-click on the service and select “Restart” from the context menu. If the service is already running, a confirmation dialog will appear; click “Yes” to proceed with the restart process.
Once the printer spooler service has been restarted, it’s important to verify that it is running smoothly. Return to the Services window and check if the status of the “Print Spooler” service is “Running.” If the service is not running, double-click on the service to open its Properties window. Under the “General” tab, ensure that the “Startup type” is set to “Automatic,” and that the “Service status” is set to “Started.” Click “OK” to save your changes and close the Properties window. Additionally, to ensure that the printer spooler service has been successfully restarted, try printing a test document. If the print job is processed and sent to the printer without any errors, it indicates that the service has been successfully restarted.
Troubleshooting Printing Issues
Printing issues can be frustrating and time-consuming to resolve. One common cause of printing problems is a malfunctioning printer spooler. The printer spooler is a software component that manages the flow of print jobs to and from the printer. If the spooler is not running properly, it can cause print jobs to fail or become stuck in the queue.
Restarting the Printer Spooler as Admin
Restarting the printer spooler can often resolve printing issues. To restart the printer spooler as an administrator, follow these steps:
- Open the Services window. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “services.msc” into the Run dialog box.
- Locate the “Print Spooler” service in the list of services.
- Right-click on the “Print Spooler” service and select “Restart”.
Once you have restarted the printer spooler, try printing a document to see if the issue has been resolved.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If restarting the printer spooler does not resolve the issue, you can try the following additional troubleshooting tips:
- Check the printer connection. Make sure that the printer is properly connected to your computer and that the cables are not damaged.
- Restart the printer. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve printing issues.
- Update the printer drivers. Outdated printer drivers can cause printing problems. Check the manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers for your printer.
- Run the printer troubleshooter. Windows includes a built-in printer troubleshooter that can help you identify and resolve printing issues.
| Error Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0x80070002 | The printer spooler service is not running. |
| 0x80070003 | The print job was deleted. |
| 0x80070005 | Access to the printer was denied. |
Understanding the Print Spooler Service
The Print Spooler service acts as an intermediary between printing applications and the physical printer. It manages the print queue, which holds print jobs until the printer is ready to receive them. The service also converts print jobs into a format that the printer can understand.
When a print job is sent to the printer, the Print Spooler service stores it in the print queue. The service then monitors the printer for any problems, such as being offline or out of paper. When the printer is ready, the service sends the print job to it. The service also keeps track of the print job’s status and provides feedback to the user.
The Print Spooler service is an essential component of the printing process. It ensures that print jobs are processed and printed in a timely and efficient manner. If the service is stopped or disabled, printing will not be possible.
Steps to Restart the Print Spooler Service as Admin in Windows 7
To restart the Print Spooler service as an administrator in Windows 7, follow these steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Click on the Start button. |
| 2 | Type “services.msc” in the search box and press Enter. |
| 3 | Find the “Print Spooler” service in the list of services. |
| 4 | Right-click on the “Print Spooler” service and select “Restart”. |
The Print Spooler service will now be restarted. You can now try to print again.
Admin Privileges
To perform certain tasks on your computer, such as restarting the printer spooler, you need to have administrator privileges. This is a special type of user account that gives you full control over your computer. If you don’t have administrator privileges, you may not be able to complete certain tasks or make changes to your computer’s settings.
To check if you have administrator privileges, click on the “Start” menu and then type “user accounts” into the search bar. Click on the “User Accounts” option that appears in the search results. On the “User Accounts” page, you will see a list of all the user accounts on your computer. The user account with administrator privileges will have the word “Administrator” listed next to it.
If you don’t have administrator privileges, you can ask another user who has administrator privileges to grant you those privileges. To do this, the user with administrator privileges will need to click on the “Start” menu and then type “lusrmgr.msc” into the search bar. Click on the “lusrmgr.msc” option that appears in the search results. In the “Local Users and Groups” window, click on the “Users” folder. Right-click on your user account and then click on the “Properties” option. In the “Properties” window, click on the “Member Of” tab. Click on the “Add…” button and then select the “Administrators” group. Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.
Printer Spooler
The printer spooler is a software program that manages the printing process. It receives print jobs from applications and stores them in a queue until the printer is ready to print them. The printer spooler also monitors the printer’s status and reports any errors that occur.
If you’re having problems printing, restarting the printer spooler can often solve the problem. To restart the printer spooler, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Start” menu and then type “services.msc” into the search bar. Click on the “services.msc” option that appears in the search results.
- In the “Services” window, scroll down and find the “Print Spooler” service. Right-click on the “Print Spooler” service and then click on the “Restart” option.
- Wait for the printer spooler to restart. Once the printer spooler has restarted, try printing again.
Additional Information
Here is some additional information about restarting the printer spooler:
- You can also restart the printer spooler from the command prompt. To do this, open a command prompt window and type the following command:
“`
net stop spooler
net start spooler
“`
Opening the Services Manager
To open the Services Manager, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start button.
- In the search bar, type “services.msc” and press Enter.
- The Services Manager will open.
Finding the Print Spooler Service
Once you have opened the Services Manager, you need to find the Print Spooler service.
- Scroll down the list of services until you find the Print Spooler service.
- The Print Spooler service is typically listed near the top of the list.
Restarting the Print Spooler Service
To restart the Print Spooler service, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Print Spooler service.
- Select “Restart” from the menu.
- The Print Spooler service will restart.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for restarting the Print Spooler service:
| Tip | Description |
| If the Print Spooler service is not listed in the Services Manager, you may need to enable it. | To enable the Print Spooler service, click on the “Actions” menu in the Services Manager and select “Enable”. |
| If you are having trouble restarting the Print Spooler service, you may need to run the Services Manager as an administrator. | To run the Services Manager as an administrator, right-click on the “services.msc” file and select “Run as administrator”. |
| If you are still having trouble restarting the Print Spooler service, you may need to contact your system administrator. | Your system administrator will be able to help you troubleshoot the problem. |
Locating the Print Spooler Service
To locate the Print Spooler service:
- Open the Start menu and type "services.msc" in the search bar.
- Click on "Services" in the search results.
- Scroll down the list of services and find "Print Spooler."
- Right-click on "Print Spooler" and select "Properties."
- **The "Print Spooler Properties" dialog box will appear. This dialog box contains the following information:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Service name | The name of the Print Spooler service. |
| Display name | The display name of the Print Spooler service. |
| Description | A description of the Print Spooler service. |
| Service status | The current status of the Print Spooler service. |
| Startup type | The startup type of the Print Spooler service. |
| Log on as | The account that the Print Spooler service logs on as. |
| Allow service to interact with desktop | Specifies whether the Print Spooler service is allowed to interact with the desktop. |
Restarting the Print Spooler Service as Admin
Step 1: Open Services Manager
- Click "Start" and type "services.msc" in the search bar.
- Press Enter to launch Services Manager.
Step 2: Locate Print Spooler Service
- Scroll down the list of services and locate "Print Spooler."
Step 3: Right-Click and Select Properties
- Right-click on the Print Spooler service and select "Properties."
Step 4: Enable Administrator Privileges
- Navigate to the "Log On" tab.
- Select "This account" and click "Browse."
Step 5: Enter Admin Credentials
- Click "Advanced" and select "Find Now."
- From the search results, double-click your administrator account.
- Enter the administrator password.
Step 6: Set Service Properties
- Click "OK" to save the administrator credentials.
- On the "General" tab, select "Automatic" from the "Startup type" dropdown menu.
- Click "Apply" and then "OK" to restart the Print Spooler service with administrator privileges.
Step 7: Verify Service Status
- Open the Services Manager again and check if the Print Spooler service is running.
- If the status is "Running," the service has been successfully restarted as admin.
Troubleshooting
- If you encounter any issues, ensure that the administrator account has the necessary permissions.
- Check the "Dependencies" tab in the Print Spooler service properties to verify that dependent services are running.
- If the service still fails to start, consult the Microsoft Support website for additional troubleshooting steps.
Restarting the Printer Spooler as Admin in Windows 7
To restart the printer spooler as an administrator in Windows 7, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start button and type “command prompt” in the search bar.
- Right-click on the “Command Prompt” option and select “Run as administrator.”
- In the command prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
Command net stop spooler This command will stop the printer spooler service.
- Once the printer spooler service has stopped, type the following command and press Enter:
Command net start spooler This command will start the printer spooler service again.
Confirming Successful Restart
To confirm that the printer spooler has been successfully restarted, follow these steps:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click on “System and Security.”
- Click on “Administrative Tools.”
- Double-click on “Services.”
- Scroll down to the “Print Spooler” service.
- Check the “Status” column. It should say “Running.”
If the “Status” column does not say “Running,” the printer spooler service has not been successfully restarted. Try restarting the service again by following the steps above.
Resolving Print Queue Issues
When the print spooler service is not running properly, it can cause print queue issues. Here are some steps you can try to resolve these issues:
1. Restart the Printer Spooler Service As Admin
Restarting the printer spooler service can often resolve print queue issues. To do this as an administrator:
- Press the Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type services.msc in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
- In the Services window, scroll down to the Print Spooler service.
- Right-click on the Print Spooler service and select Restart.
2. Clear the Print Queue
If the printer spooler service is running, but print jobs are still not being processed, you can try clearing the print queue:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click on Devices and Printers.
- Right-click on the printer you are having issues with and select See what's printing.
- In the Print Queue window, click on the Printer menu and select Cancel All Documents.
3. Check Printer Connections
Ensure that the printer is properly connected to your computer. Check the USB cable or network connection to ensure there are no loose connections.
4. Update Printer Drivers
Outdated printer drivers can cause print queue issues. Visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest drivers for your printer.
5. Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily
Firewall or antivirus software can sometimes interfere with print jobs. Disable them temporarily to check if the issue persists.
6. Check Disk Space
Insufficient disk space can prevent the print spooler from functioning properly. Ensure you have sufficient free space on your hard drive.
7. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Windows includes a built-in printer troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common print issues.
8. Advanced Troubleshooting
Issue Solution Print spooler service won’t start Check system logs for error messages. Reset the spooler service to default settings. Print jobs stuck in queue Check for corrupted print jobs. Use a third-party utility to clear the queue. Print jobs disappearing from queue Enable print job logging in the registry. Check permissions for the printer driver. How Torestart Printer Spooler Windows 7 As Admin
If you’re experiencing printing issues on your Windows 7 computer, restarting the printer spooler service can often resolve the problem. Here’s how to do it as an administrator:
- Click on the Start button and type “services.msc” in the search bar.
- Right-click on the “Print Spooler” service and select “Restart”.
- If the “Restart” option is grayed out, click on “Stop” and then “Start” to restart the service.
Additional Printer Troubleshooting Tips
If restarting the printer spooler service doesn’t resolve your printing issues, here are some additional troubleshooting tips:
Check the printer cables
Make sure that the printer cables are securely connected to both the printer and the computer.
Update the printer driver
Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver for your printer model.
Clear the print queue
Click on the Start button and type “print spooler” in the search bar.
Click on the “Printers” tab and select “Clear Print Queue”.Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Click on the Start button and type “troubleshoot” in the search bar.
Click on “Troubleshooting” and select “Printer”.
Click on “Run the troubleshooter” and follow the instructions.Reinstall the printer
Click on the Start button and type “devices and printers” in the search bar.
Right-click on the printer icon and select “Remove Device”.
Restart your computer and then reinstall the printer.Restarting Printer Spooler on Windows 7 As Admin
The printer spooler manages print jobs and ensures that they are printed correctly. If you are experiencing printing issues, restarting the printer spooler may resolve the problem. To restart the printer spooler as an administrator in Windows 7:
- Click on the Start menu and type “services.msc” (without quotes) in the search bar.
- Right-click on the “services” icon and select “Run as administrator”.
- Scroll down and find the “Print Spooler” service.
- Right-click on the “Print Spooler” service and select “Restart”.
Maintaining Printer Performance
In addition to restarting the printer spooler, there are several other steps you can take to maintain printer performance:
1. Keep your printer drivers up to date.
New printer drivers are released regularly, which can improve printing performance and reliability. To update your printer drivers, visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your printer model.
2. Clean your printer regularly.
Dust and debris can accumulate inside your printer, which can cause printing problems. To clean your printer, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the exterior and interior of the printer. You may also need to use a cotton swab to clean the print heads.
3. Use high-quality paper.
The quality of the paper you use can also affect printing performance. Cheap, low-quality paper is more likely to jam in your printer and produce poor-quality prints. Use high-quality paper that is specifically designed for your printer model.
4. Print in moderate quantities.
Printing large volumes of documents at once can overwhelm your printer and cause printing problems. If you need to print a large number of documents, break the job up into smaller batches.
5. Check your printer settings.
The printer settings can affect printing performance. Make sure that the printer settings are configured correctly for the type of paper you are using and the quality of printing you want.
6. Troubleshoot printing problems.
If you are experiencing printing problems, try the following troubleshooting tips:
- Restart your computer.
- Restart your printer.
- Check the printer cables.
- Clean the print heads.
- Update your printer drivers.
7. Contact your printer manufacturer.
If you are unable to resolve the printing problems yourself, contact your printer manufacturer for assistance.
8. Buy a new printer.
If your printer is old or has been damaged, you may need to buy a new printer.
9. Optimize your computer settings.
There are several computer settings that can affect printing performance. To optimize your computer settings for printing, do the following:
- Increase the amount of RAM in your computer.
- Install a faster processor.
- Use a solid-state drive (SSD) instead of a traditional hard disk drive (HDD).
10. Use a print server.
If you have multiple computers that need to share a printer, you can use a print server to manage the printing jobs. A print server can improve printing performance and reliability.
How to Restart Printer Spooler Windows 7 As Admin
The printer spooler is a Windows service that manages the printing process. If you’re having problems with your printer, restarting the spooler can often fix the issue.
To restart the printer spooler as an administrator:
- Click Start, and then type “services.msc” in the search box.
- In the Services window, scroll down to the “Print Spooler” service.
- Right-click the “Print Spooler” service and select “Restart”.
Once the spooler has restarted, try printing again.
People Also Ask
How do I know if my printer spooler is running?
You can check if your printer spooler is running by opening the Services window (see step 1 above). If the “Print Spooler” service is listed as “Running”, then it is running.
What are the symptoms of a malfunctioning printer spooler?
Symptoms of a malfunctioning printer spooler can include:
- Printers not printing
- Print jobs getting stuck in the queue
- Error messages related to the print spooler
How can I troubleshoot printer spooler problems?
If you’re having problems with your printer spooler, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Restart the printer spooler (see the instructions above).
- Check for and install any available updates for your printer driver.
- Run the Printer Troubleshooter (click Start, type “troubleshoot” in the search box, and then select “Printer”).
- If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, you may need to contact your printer manufacturer for support.
