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The Windows 11 Print Spooler service manages print jobs between applications and printers. Restarting it can clear a queue that will not print, restore a printer that has become unresponsive, or fix an application that hangs when you press Ctrl+P.
You can restart the service from the Services console, Command Prompt, or PowerShell. If restarting does not help, clear the queued files and investigate printer drivers, Group Policy, or security software.
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Restart Print Spooler from Services
The Services console is the simplest method when you want to restart only the printing service without rebooting Windows.
- Press Windows+R to open the Run dialog.
- Enter
services.mscand press Enter. - In the Services window, locate Print Spooler.
- Right-click Print Spooler and select Restart.
Windows stops and starts the service. Your other applications and services are not restarted.
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Start Print Spooler when it is stopped
If Print Spooler is not running, the context menu shows Start instead of Restart.
- Open Run with Windows+R.
- Type
services.msc, then press Enter. - Right-click Print Spooler.
- Select Start.
You can also double-click Print Spooler, choose Start, and select OK. Its normal documented startup setting is Automatic; you do not need to change that setting simply to restart the service.
Stop and start the service manually
Use this method when you need the service fully stopped—for example, before deleting stuck spool files.
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services.msc. - Double-click Print Spooler.
- Select Stop, then select OK.
- When you are ready to restore printing, open the service properties again.
- Select Start. If required, set Startup type to Automatic, then select OK.
Restart Print Spooler with Command Prompt
The service commands require an elevated Command Prompt. Without administrator rights, Windows may return Access is denied or error 0x80070005.
- Select Start and type
cmd. - Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Run the first command and press Enter:
net stop spoolerAfter it finishes, run:
net start spoolerspooler is the service name; Print Spooler is its display name. If the stop command reports that the service is already stopped, run the start command anyway.
Restart Print Spooler with PowerShell
PowerShell provides a single restart command as well as separate stop and start commands.
- Select Start and type
powershell. - Right-click Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
- Run:
Restart-Service -Name spoolerTo control each stage separately, use:
Stop-Service -Name spooler
Start-Service -Name spoolerPowerShell can display messages such as Waiting for service 'Print Spooler (Spooler)' to finish starting.... That warning means the operation is still waiting; it is not, by itself, proof that the restart failed.
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- Handheld Reset Format: This compact reset accessory uses a handheld design and compact form, giving you a practical way to manage maintenance cartridge reset work without extra setup hardware
- Focused Maintenance Use: The copy stays within verified maintenance cartridge reset and waste box service scenarios, helping you choose an accessory designed for printer upkeep rather than general parts storage
- Direct Pin Layout: Exposed gold pins chip alignment during manual reset handling, so the tool stays centered on pin based printer upkeep tasks
Clear the print queue before restarting
A restart may leave a damaged or stuck print job in the queue. First try cancelling the job normally:
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select the affected printer.
- Choose Open print queue.
- Right-click each job and select Cancel.
If the jobs do not disappear, stop Print Spooler and remove the queued files manually:
- Stop Print Spooler from Services, Command Prompt, or PowerShell.
- Open File Explorer or the Run dialog.
- Enter:
%WINDIR%system32spoolPRINTERS- Delete all files inside that folder. Do not delete the
PRINTERSfolder itself. - Start Print Spooler again.
Deleting these files removes the stuck queued print jobs. You may need administrator permission to access or modify the folder.
What to check if Print Spooler keeps stopping
A service restart is a repair step, not a permanent fix for repeated crashes. Common causes include:
- Conflicting or obsolete printer drivers: open Start > Device Manager, expand Print queues or Printers, remove unnecessary or duplicate printer entries, and install the current driver from the printer manufacturer.
- Group Policy: on a work or school computer, an administrator may intentionally disable or stop Print Spooler as a security measure. Repeatedly setting the service to Automatic will not override that policy.
- Antivirus interference: security software can block spooler files or related print components.
- System instability or low resources: insufficient system resources can prevent the service from starting reliably.
- Damaged print components: outdated printer software or other print components can cause crashes when a job is submitted.
If the spooler stops immediately after a particular printer or driver is installed, remove that driver or printer first, then test the service with the current manufacturer-supplied driver.
Services console versus a command
| Method | Best for | Command or path |
|---|---|---|
| Services | Occasional repairs and visual status checking | services.msc |
| Command Prompt | Quick manual stop/start operations | net stop spoolernet start spooler |
| PowerShell | Administration and scripts | Restart-Service -Name spooler |
| Print queue settings | Canceling individual jobs | Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners |
The Windows 11 Printers & scanners page manages printer devices and their queues. It does not start, stop, or restart the Print Spooler service. For service control, use Services or an administrator command shell.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
What is the command to restart Print Spooler in Windows 11?
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run net stop spooler, followed by net start spooler. In elevated PowerShell, you can run Restart-Service -Name spooler.
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- Direct Pin Layout: Exposed gold pins chip alignment during manual reset handling, so the tool stays centered on pin based printer upkeep tasks
- Defined Reset Purpose: This maintenance cartridge chip resetter is built for MC G02 compatible upkeep tasks, helping you handle cartridge chip count reset needs during regular printer maintenance work
- Single Piece Convenience: Each pack includes 1 chip resetter accessory, making it easier to keep a dedicated tool ready for maintenance cartridge reset work and routine printer care
- Focused Maintenance Use: The copy stays within verified maintenance cartridge reset and waste box service scenarios, helping you choose an accessory designed for printer upkeep rather than general parts storage
- Handheld Reset Format: This compact reset accessory uses a handheld design and compact form, giving you a practical way to manage maintenance cartridge reset work without extra setup hardware
Why is Restart missing from the Print Spooler menu?
Restart is unavailable when the service is already stopped. Right-click Print Spooler in services.msc and select Start instead.
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Do I need to set Print Spooler to Automatic?
Not merely to restart it. Windows normally uses Automatic startup, but a service-only restart works without changing the startup type. A work or school computer may also have a policy that overrides this setting.
Will restarting Print Spooler delete my print jobs?
A normal restart does not intentionally delete queued jobs. To remove jobs that cannot be cancelled, stop the service, delete the files in %WINDIR%system32spoolPRINTERS, and start the service again.
Why do I get Access is denied when restarting the service?
The command shell probably is not elevated. Start Command Prompt or PowerShell with Run as administrator, then run the spooler command again.
Is rebooting Windows the same as restarting Print Spooler?
No. Restarting Print Spooler affects only the printing service. Rebooting also interrupts open applications and unrelated Windows services.
The Bottom Line
For a normal repair, open services.msc, right-click Print Spooler, and select Restart. If it is stopped, choose Start. When the queue remains stuck, cancel the jobs from Printers & scanners or stop the service and clear %WINDIR%system32spoolPRINTERS. Recurring crashes usually require driver cleanup or help from the administrator managing the PC.
Quick Recap
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