How To Clear Printer Spooler In Xp

Affected Products:

All Lexmark Devices

Issue Description:

The print spooler controls print options within the Windows environment. A problem with the print spooler can affect printer driver performance and print queue responsiveness.

Solution:

Method 1: Use Administrative Tools

Click on the Windows or Start button.
Navigate to the Control Panel by selecting it from the list of applications or searching in your programs.
Click on Administrative Tools.
Click on Services.
Note: You may have to provide an administrator profile and password.
Scroll though the list and look for Print Spooler.
Note: The list is alphabetical.
The following two options are available to stop and start the print spooler:
- Click once on Print Spooler to highlight it, and then click on the Stop or Start links in the right-hand window pane
- Double-click on Print Spooler, and click on the Stop button followed by the Start button.
Observe the status column in the Services window to verify that the print spooler is stopped or started, as applicable.

Click to enlarge this illustration.

Method 2: Using the Services Console

Click on the Windows or Start button.
Type services.msc in the Start Search box.
Note: Windows XP users will select Run.
Click Services in the Programs list.
Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, you can either type your password or click Continue.
Locate and right-click on Print Spooler, and then click Stop from the drop-down menu.
Right click Print Spooler again, and then click Start from the dop down menu.

Click to enlarge this illustration.

Method 3: Using the Command Prompt

Note: In order to start and stop the print spooler in the command prompt, the user must launch the command prompt as the administrator.

Click on the Windows or Start button.
Enter cmd in the Search dialog box.
Note: Windows XP users will select Run.
If not logged in as administrator, right-click on , and choose run as administrator. You will either have to give permission or supply an administrator profile and password.
To stop the spooler, type net stop spooler; i.e., C:\windows\system32\net stop spooler.
Observe the following reply:
- The Print Spooler service is stopping.
- The Print Spooler service was stopped successfully.
To start the spooler, type net start spooler; i.e., C:\windows\system32\net start spooler.
Observe the following reply:
- The Print Spooler service is starting.
- The Print Spooler service was started successfully.
  
  Click to enlarge this illustration.

Additional Resources:

Articles:

How to Cancel Print Jobs in Microsoft Windows

Still Need Help?

Have the following available when calling Lexmark Technical Support;

Printer model(s)
Printer serial number