Print Spooler Keeps Stopping

**Timbuk2**

Acer AspireOne Netbook, Windows 7 Starter.

I am trying to install a new printer (Canon iP3600, physically connected via USB) but can't print on it - I keep getting the following error:
"Windows cannot connect to the printer the local print spooler service is not running please restart the spooler or restart the machine"

Restarting the spooler or the machine do not fix the problem. Online guides say to go to services.msc and make sure the print spooler is switched to automatic and is turned on, but it is already at automatic, and if I turn it on, and go to print (e.g. a test page) it sends the printjob to the queue, but it never reaches the printer. When I send another printjob (e.g. another test page), I get the spooler error again and it is once again switched off in services.msc.

I set up a network printer (Epson) on the netbook about 3 months ago, and it worked at the time, but didn't really print from it since. The problem is now occuring if I try to print to either the local printer (Canon) or the network printer (Epson), so the problem is with the netbook, not the printer (both printers work fine from other computers).

I tried uninstalling, removing drivers, system restoring to before I installed the local printer for the first time, and reinstalling the printer, but it doesn't help.

Does anyone know how to fix this? I know Microsoft have a tool called cleanSpl.exe as part of the Windows 2003 Resource Kits, but this does not work with Windows 7.
I've tried the tips on this page bar anything to do with editing the registry, as it seems to be aimed towards Windows XP and not Windows 7, and I am just being cautious!

Thanks.

**Timbuk2**

As per the instructions in the link above, I deleted all files in C:/Windows/system32/spool/PRINTERS, but this does not solve the problem.

In fact, two files keep appearing back in this folder each time I try to print - FP00001.SHD and FP00001.SPL. Should this folder be empty if everything was working properly?

Also I tried running sfc /scannow from the command prompt, but it didn't help the problem.

yoyo

I have come across strange printing problems with multiple printer drivers installed on the machine. I would uninstall all printers, then try just installing the Canon. I would also advise you grab the latest printer drivers for your Canon from www.canon.com.

Nick

**Timbuk2**

yoyo wrote: »

I have come across strange printing problems with multiple printer drivers installed on the machine. I would uninstall all printers, then try just installing the Canon. I would also advise you grab the latest printer drivers for your Canon from www.canon.com.

Nick

I tried that, but got the same result!

In the end I got it working by reinstalling Windows.

Thanks Happy New Year.

old_aussie

Check the Properties on the Print Spooler service under services.msc.

Go to the Log On Tab and make sure that the 'Local System account' option is selected along with the 'Allow service to interact with desktop' box.


Then set the Print spooler service to auto and start it. After that you should have no problem using your printer (s).

yoyo

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I tried that, but got the same result!

In the end I got it working by reinstalling Windows.

Thanks Happy New Year.

Glad that sorted it . Happy New year to you too

Nick

**Timbuk2**

old_aussie wrote: »

Check the Properties on the Print Spooler service under services.msc.

Go to the Log On Tab and make sure that the 'Local System account' option is selected along with the 'Allow service to interact with desktop' box.


Then set the Print spooler service to auto and start it. After that you should have no problem using your printer (s).

I've reinstalled Windows now so it's working, but I did check this beforehand and both of those were already selected (and it was already set to auto).

It was a strange problem all right. Thanks anyway