Print Spooler Not Running in Windows 11

When the Print Spooler is stopped, Windows cannot process print jobs. Run the Windows printer troubleshooter first, then restart the service only if you have permission.

Start with the least disruptive check

Use the Get Help printer troubleshooter and inspect the queue for a stuck job. A restart of the spooler may interrupt every pending job on the computer or shared host.

Restart the service

Open Services from Windows search.
Find Print Spooler and check its status.
If authorized, select Restart. If it is stopped, select Start.
Retry a Windows test page.

When clearing spool files is necessary

Microsoft documents stopping the service, removing files inside %WINDIR%\System32\spool\PRINTERS, then starting it. This discards queued jobs. Do not run it on a company print server without administrator approval.

Official references

support.microsoft.com

Useful next steps

Find your model

Check the exact model before choosing a method.

Guided fix

Follow the least disruptive checks first.

Found a mismatch? Request a correction with the public source URL and exact model, without passwords or full serial numbers.