- In most cases, running the printer troubleshooter or configuring the “Print Spooler Service” should resolve the error.
- Deleting old printer devices and print spooler files can also help fix the issue.
- If nothing works, you may need to delete corrupted print spooler registry entries.
Fix 1: Run Printer Troubleshooter
Windows comes with a dedicated printer troubleshooter that can automatically diagnose and fix any printing issues on your PC. It checks all of your printer configurations and corrects any inconsistencies. Here’s how to run it.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings app and head to System > Troubleshoot .
Step 2: Go to Other troubleshooters .
Step 3: Click the Run button next to Printer to begin troubleshooting.
From there, follow the on-screen prompts to finish the troubleshooting process.
Fix 2: Check Print Spooler Service
If the Windows troubleshooter fails to identify any issues, you can check the Print Spooler service on Windows to see if it is properly configured. Here’s how.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type services.msc in the box next to the Open field and press Enter .
Step 2: In the Services window, scroll down to locate Print Spooler . Right-click on it and select Properties .
Step 3: Set the Startup type to Automatic from the drop-down, if it isn’t set already.
Step 4: On the Recovery tab, use the drop-down menus next to First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures to select Restart the Service . Then, click on Apply followed by OK .
Restart your PC and check if the print spooler stops again.
Fix 3: Remove Old Printers
Sometimes, the print spooler service may also stop working if several printers are connected to your PC. You can try deleting some of your old printer devices to see if that helps.
Step 1: Click on the search icon on the taskbar, type in printers & scanners and press Enter .
Step 2: Select the printer you want to remove.
Step 3: Click on the Remove button in the top right corner. Repeat this process to remove unwanted printers and try using the printing services again.
Fix 4: Delete Old Print Spooler Files
Existing print spooler cache data can also interfere with the service and cause it to crash repeatedly when corrupted. In that case, you can delete those old print spooler files to fix the issue.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + S to open Windows Search. Type services in the box and select the first result that appears.
Step 2: Right-click on Print Spooler and select Stop .
Step 3: Press the Windows key + E to launch File Explorer on your PC and navigate to the following folder:
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
Step 4: Select all folders and click on the trash icon at the top to delete them.
Restart your PC after you delete the files. The print spooler service should start automatically upon reboot.
Fix 5: Update Printer Drivers
Issues with your current printer drivers can also cause the print spooler to stop abruptly. If the printer drivers on your PC are outdated or corrupted, then updating them should help more often than not.
To update printer drivers, download the most recent drivers from the respective manufacturer’s website. Then, open the downloaded file to begin the installation.
Fix 6: Delete Print Spooler Registry Keys
If none of the above solutions work, you can try deleting a few registry keys associated with the print spooler. Here’s how:
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to launch the Run dialog box. Type regedit in the box and press Enter .
Step 2: Paste the following path in the address bar at the top to navigate to Print Processors:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows x64\Print Processors
If you’re using a 32-bit version of Windows, use the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Print Processors
Step 3: Delete all keys inside Print Processors except winprint . To delete a key, right-click on it and select Delete . Click on Yes on the prompt.
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- Running the printer troubleshooter in Windows is an effective method for fixing such issues.
- Temporarily stopping the Print Spooler service can help you remove printers without encountering errors.
- If the printer still won’t remove, try uninstalling the printer driver and software.
Fix 1: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Start by running Windows’ built-in printer troubleshooter to see if it can detect and resolve any pending printing errors.
Step 1: Click the search icon on the taskbar, type printers & scanners , and press Enter .
Step 2: Select your printer.
Step 3: Click on Run the troubleshooter .
Windows should automatically detect any issues with the printer and fix them. Following that, you should be able to get rid of the printer.
Fix 2: Remove the Printer From the Print Server Properties
There are several ways to remove a printer in Windows 11. So, if you can’t remove the printer from the Settings app or Control Panel, remove it from the Print Server Properties in Windows.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + S to open the search menu. Type printers & scanners and press Enter .
Step 2: Under Related settings, click on Print server properties .
Step 3: Go to the Drivers tab, select your printer, and click Remove .
Step 4: Select Remove driver and driver package and hit OK to confirm.
Fix 3: Stop Print Spooler Service
Print Spooler is a critical service that handles printer interactions on Windows. If that service interferes with the removal process, disable it temporarily to see if it helps.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type services.msc in the box next to the Open field and press Enter .
Step 2: In the Services window, scroll down to locate Print Spooler . Right-click on it and select Stop .
After stopping the Print Spooler service, remove the printer again.
Fix 4: Uninstall Printer Driver
Device Manager is a useful tool that lets you manage and troubleshoot all your hardware devices from one place. You can also use it to delete an old printer from your PC. Here’s how.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Device Manager from the menu.
Step 2: Open the View menu at the top and select Show hidden devices .
Step 3: Double-click on Print queues to expand it. Right-click on your printer and select Uninstall device .
Fix 5: Remove Printer Software
If you’ve installed a dedicated app or software for your printer, it could also obstruct the removal process. To avoid this, first uninstall that app or software before trying again.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Installed apps from the list.
Step 2: Locate the printer app on the list. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select Uninstall .
After removing the app, you can remove the printer from the Settings app or Device Manager.
Fix 6: Use the Registry Editor
Windows may not remove the printer due to corrupt registry keys associated with it. To fix it, remove those corrupted registry keys by following the steps below.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to launch the Run dialog. Type regedit and press Enter .
Step 2: Paste the following path in the address bar at the top and press Enter .
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers
Step 3: Locate the printer you wish to remove and click on Delete . Then, select Yes to confirm.
Restart your PC after this, and you should be able to remove your printer without a problem.
Was this helpful?
- In most cases, running the printer troubleshooter or configuring the “Print Spooler Service” should resolve the error.
- Deleting old printer devices and print spooler files can also help fix the issue.
- If nothing works, you may need to delete corrupted print spooler registry entries.
Fix 1: Run Printer Troubleshooter
Windows comes with a dedicated printer troubleshooter that can automatically diagnose and fix any printing issues on your PC. It checks all of your printer configurations and corrects any inconsistencies. Here’s how to run it.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings app and head to System > Troubleshoot .
Step 2: Go to Other troubleshooters .
Step 3: Click the Run button next to Printer to begin troubleshooting.
From there, follow the on-screen prompts to finish the troubleshooting process.
Fix 2: Check Print Spooler Service
If the Windows troubleshooter fails to identify any issues, you can check the Print Spooler service on Windows to see if it is properly configured. Here’s how.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type services.msc in the box next to the Open field and press Enter .
Step 2: In the Services window, scroll down to locate Print Spooler . Right-click on it and select Properties .
Step 3: Set the Startup type to Automatic from the drop-down, if it isn’t set already.
Step 4: On the Recovery tab, use the drop-down menus next to First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures to select Restart the Service . Then, click on Apply followed by OK .
Restart your PC and check if the print spooler stops again.
Fix 3: Remove Old Printers
Sometimes, the print spooler service may also stop working if several printers are connected to your PC. You can try deleting some of your old printer devices to see if that helps.
Step 1: Click on the search icon on the taskbar, type in printers & scanners and press Enter .
Step 2: Select the printer you want to remove.
Step 3: Click on the Remove button in the top right corner. Repeat this process to remove unwanted printers and try using the printing services again.
Fix 4: Delete Old Print Spooler Files
Existing print spooler cache data can also interfere with the service and cause it to crash repeatedly when corrupted. In that case, you can delete those old print spooler files to fix the issue.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + S to open Windows Search. Type services in the box and select the first result that appears.
Step 2: Right-click on Print Spooler and select Stop .
Step 3: Press the Windows key + E to launch File Explorer on your PC and navigate to the following folder:
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
Step 4: Select all folders and click on the trash icon at the top to delete them.
Restart your PC after you delete the files. The print spooler service should start automatically upon reboot.
Fix 5: Update Printer Drivers
Issues with your current printer drivers can also cause the print spooler to stop abruptly. If the printer drivers on your PC are outdated or corrupted, then updating them should help more often than not.
To update printer drivers, download the most recent drivers from the respective manufacturer’s website. Then, open the downloaded file to begin the installation.
Fix 6: Delete Print Spooler Registry Keys
If none of the above solutions work, you can try deleting a few registry keys associated with the print spooler. Here’s how:
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to launch the Run dialog box. Type regedit in the box and press Enter .
Step 2: Paste the following path in the address bar at the top to navigate to Print Processors:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows x64\Print Processors
If you’re using a 32-bit version of Windows, use the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Print Processors
Step 3: Delete all keys inside Print Processors except winprint . To delete a key, right-click on it and select Delete . Click on Yes on the prompt.
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Every keyboard, whether external or laptop, comes with a print screen button abbreviated as PrtScr. Pressing the print screen button will capture the whole screen that you can later paste in an app like Paint . It is one of the fastest ways to take a screenshot on Windows. For some users, PrtScr key is unresponsive or just not working. In that case, you can use a keyboard shortcut or an app for taking screenshots. Why would you do that when you have a dedicated screenshot key on the keyboard?
The print screen is a universal button that’s available on all Windows 10 computers and works the same way. Typically, it is located at the top row after the function keys. Way before browser extensions and third-party apps were available, there was a print screen option, and many people still prefer to use it because it’s quick and works everywhere. So when it stops working, that inconvenience often irks.
Let’s find how we can fix the print screen not working error on your Windows 10 computer.
1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts
There are other ways to take screenshots using a combination of PrtScr buttons. Try using Alt+PrtScr shortcut instead. That will take a screenshot of the currently selected window instead of the whole screen—no need to crop or remove unwanted background now.
When you use the Windows key+PrtScr shortcut, the screenshots of the fullscreen gets saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder. If you use a keyboard or a laptop with Fn key, then you are in luck. You can use it along with Windows or Alt key combination.
Some keyboards come with an F Lock key instead of the Fn key. If that’s the case, you don’t have to press and hold it. Just press it once to activate it as you do with caps lock.
Pro Tip: Press Windows key+Shift+S to launch a new, flexible way to take screenshots. Your screen will fade, and you will notice a floating bar at the top. Use your mouse to select an area on the screen to take a screenshot of. The feature was earlier part of OneNote, but Microsoft included it with the Windows 10 Creators Update.
2. Taken Over as a Third-Party App Shortcut
The shortcut may have been associated with a third-party app like Dropbox, as noted by one user named gbbay in Microsoft support forums. It could be an app that you recently updated or installed. So, check if any third party app has taken over it.
3. Keyboard Hardware
Did you try with another keyboard? There may be something wrong with your current keyboard, and it needs fixing . Make sure everything is working with keyboard hardware and software. Connect your keyboard to another computer to check or borrow a friend’s keyboard for your computer instead. At times, the USB port may not be able to detect the keyboard properly.
4. Hardware Troubleshooter
All Windows 10 editions come with a hardware troubleshooter that will check for errors in external devices like mice, keyboards, printers, etc.
Step 1: Press Windows key+I shortcut to launch Settings. Once it opens, search for ‘Find and fix keyboard problems’ and click to open it.
Step 2: Select ‘Apply repairs automatically’ option at the bottom and click on Next to continue.
Windows will now look for problems and suggest a solution as required. It will then apply the solution if within its rights.
5. Registry Editor
Unlike Group Policy Editor, which comes preinstalled in Windows Pro and higher versions only, Registry Editor is available in Windows Home.
Step 1: Search for and open it from the Start menu. Make sure you run it with admin rights, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 2: Drill down to the folder structure below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Step 3: Find a file named ScreenshotIndex in the right pane of the window. You don’t have to do anything if the file already exists. If the file is missing, right-click on a space in the right window-pane and select DWORD (32-bit) Value under New. I have the file, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 4: Name the newly created file as ScreenshotIndex and double-click to open it. The Hexadecimal Value data should be set to 4.
Step 4: Navigate to this folder now.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Step 5: Locate and open this file.
{B7BEDE81-DF94-4682-A7D8-57A52620B86F}
Step 6: Double-click on the file to ensure that the Value data is set to %USERPROFILE%\Pictures\Screenshots . If the file is missing, create a String Value file instead of the DWORD file as we did above and enter the value as discussed.
If that doesn’t work, try 695 instead of 4 as the value in step 4 and try again.
6. Try Third-Party Apps
There are plenty of apps available that you can use to take screenshots. Microsoft has been offering the Snipping Tool for years now. Then there are browser extensions that you can use with additional built-in features like screen recording.
Put It on the Screen
I continue to use the print screen feature on my Windows 10 laptop. It helps me take screenshots of screens where other apps don’t work. For example, the Start menu. It disappears the moment you click on anything else. The print screen feature solves this issue, but so does some other apps and options discussed above.
Next up: Are you using a multi-monitor setup? Click on the link below to learn how to take screenshots on a specific monitor on Windows 10.
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- You may start by enabling the Microsoft Print to PDF feature.
- Running the printer troubleshooter will fix any underlying problems that cause this printer issue.
- If the issue is caused by outdated or corrupt drivers, uninstalling and reinstalling the printer should work.
Fix 1: Ensure Print to PDF Is Enabled in Windows Features
Microsoft Print to PDF integrates into the Print dialog box on your PC. Sometimes, the feature no longer appears when you open the Print dialog box for a certain file. Whatever the reason, you can ensure the feature is enabled with the following steps.
Step 1: Click the Start button, type Windows Features , and click the first result .
Step 2: Find and check the box for Microsoft Print to PDF .
Note : If it’s already enabled, disable it and wait a few seconds. Then, repeat the steps to open Windows Features and enable the feature again.
Step 3: After that, click on OK .
If you need to install it, follow the on-screen instructions and proceed. Reboot your PC and open the Print dialog once again. You should see the Print to PDF option back.
Now, you can save images and perform other functions using Microsoft Print as PDF.
Fix 2: Run the Print Troubleshooter
Using the built-in print troubleshooter would resolve most problems and is a good fix when Microsoft Print to PDF is not working on Windows 11.
Step 1: Click the Start button, type Control Panel , and press Ente r to open the Control Panel on your Windows 11 PC.
Step 2: Click on View devices and printers under Hardware and Sound.
Step 3: Click Printer & scanners .
Step 4: Click Microsoft Print to PDF .
Step 5: Click on Run the troubleshooter and follow the wizard to complete the process.
Step 6: Click Next and follow the wizard to complete the troubleshooting.
Fix 3: Uninstall and Reinstall Print to PDF Drivers
Your PC comes with Microsoft Print to PDF drivers pre-installed by default. If you haven’t updated these drivers recently, they could have become obsolete, preventing the feature from functioning. Uninstall the drivers and reinstall them using the steps below.
Step 1: Click the Start button, type Control Panel , and press Ente r to open the Control Panel on your Windows 11 PC.
Step 2: Click on View devices and printers under Hardware and Sound.
Step 3: Click Printer & scanners > Microsoft Print to PDF .
Step 4: Lastly, click on Remove .
Now, you may reinstall it by following the steps below.
Step 5: Click the Windows button, type Windows PowerShell , and select Run as Administrator from the right pane.
Step 6: Type the following command and hit Enter :
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -online -FeatureName Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features -All
Step 7: You should see the text True next to Online. This confirms that the feature has been re-enabled.
Step 8: Finally, restart your computer and check if Print to PDF works as intended.
Fix 4: Set Print to PDF as Your Default Printer
Print to PDF is essentially a software feature that emulates the presence of an actual printer. Hence, setting it as your default printer might be a good option. This way, giving the print command on any document should automatically trigger Print to PDF. Here’s how to set it as your default printer on Windows 11.
Step 1: Click the Start button, type Control Panel , and press Ente r to open the Control Panel on your Windows 11 PC.
Step 2: Click on View devices and printers under Hardware and Sound.
Step 3: Click Printer & scanners .
Step 4: Disable Let Windows manage my default printer .
Step 5: Click Microsoft Print to PDF .
Step 6: Lastly, click Set as default .
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- Corrupted Excel files, faulty add-ins, and outdated printer drivers are some of the most common causes of this issue.
- Try printing another Excel file to ensure the issue is not limited to a specific spreadsheet.
- You can try running the Microsoft Office repair tool if nothing else works.
Fix 1: Save Your Excel File in XPS Format and Try Again
If Excel can’t respond to print requests, save your file in the XPS format and try again. Several users on Microsoft Community post reported fixing the issue with this simple workaround. So, if you’re in a rush, try this method.
Step 1: Open the Excel file you wish to print and click the File menu at the top left corner.
Step 2: Navigate to the Print tab and use the drop-down menu under Printer to select Microsoft XPS Document Writer . Then, click the Print button.
Step 3: When the Save Print Output As dialog appears, save your Excel file in the XPS format. It should print without issues.
Fix 2: Open Excel in Safe Mode
You can try printing an Excel file in safe mode to see if one of the third-party add-ins is causing the problem. For that, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type excel -safe in the box and press Enter .
Check to see if Excel prints your file in safe mode. If it does, one of the third-party add-ins is to blame. You can disable all add-ins and re-enable them individually to isolate the culprit.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel and go to File > Options .
Step 2: In the Excel Options window, switch to the Add-ins tab from the left column. Select COM Add-ins in the Manage drop-down menu and click the Go button.
Step 3: Uncheck all the Add-ins and click OK .
After this, restart Excel and enable your add-ins one at a time. Print a test page after enabling each add-in to identify the one causing the issue.
Fix 3: Update Printer Driver
Issues with your printer driver can affect Excel’s ability to print spreadsheets and lead to problems. To avoid this, you should ensure that your printer driver is up to date and functioning properly.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Device Manager from the menu that appears.
Step 2: Double-click on Print queues to expand it. Right-click on your printer and select Update driver .
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish updating the printer drivers. After that, try printing your file again.
Fix 4: Remove and Reinstall Your Printer
If Microsoft Excel still can’t print, try removing your printer and re-adding it on Windows. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar and go to Printers & scanners .
Step 3: Select your printer from the list.
Step 4: Click the Remove button at the top to delete your printer.
Step 5: After that, return to the Printers & scanners menu and click on Add device . Then, follow the on-screen prompts to add your printer again.
Fix 5: Repair Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office offers a handy repair tool for any issues with Office apps. If nothing else works, consider repairing Microsoft Office by following the steps below.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Installed apps from the list.
Step 2: Scroll down to locate the Microsoft Office product on the list. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Modify .
Step 3: Select Online Repair and hit Repair .
