• This problem could indicate that you have not correctly installed Java on the computer.
  • In some cases, you will have to allow Java through the firewall.

Basic Fixes:

  • Uninstall conflicting Java versions: If conflicts are causing the problem, you can resolve them by completely removing older Java versions and leaving only the most recent one.
  • Verify environment variables: If the application cannot find the necessary Java installation to execute Java-based programs, confirm Java is on the right path.

Fix 1: Install or Re-Install Java Properly

If you’ve not installed Java or have installed it incorrectly, all applications that rely on it will return the error message: Java Runtime Environment not found. Before you advance to the solutions below, you should check the status of Java on the computer. Here’s how.

Step 1: Click the magnifying lens on the Taskbar, type Command Prompt , and click the Run as Administrator option.

Open Command Prompt 6 - 1

Step 2: Type the command below and hit Enter to check your Java status.

java -version
Check Java version - 2

Step 3: Running the command will display the version of Java on your computer if installed correctly. If not, you may receive an error message.

Tip: You may follow these steps if you can not open the Windows 11 Command Prompt .

Fix 2: Repair or Reinstall the Java Dependent Application

You should also investigate the possibility of a corrupt Java-dependent application. Some programs come with a repair option. While the repair steps may vary by program, generally, most apps follow the process outlined below.

Step 1: Open the search window on the Taskbar, type control, and click the Uninstall a program option.

Uninstall a program 1 - 3

Step 2: Select the app under the Name column, then click any of these available options: Change , Uninstall/Change .

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Step 3: Click the Repair button and follow any instructions to complete the process.

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Alternatively, if repairing the dependent application does not work, you should consider reinstalling the application. Before reinstalling it, however, you must completely uninstall the application and ensure you reinstall from a freshly downloaded copy.

This way, you are guaranteed that any corruption that affected the older installation will not affect the new one.

Fix 3: Download and Install the Java Runtime Environment

After you run the Java -version command, if you discover Java is not present on your computer, you must download and install it. This will require visiting the official Java website . The steps below will walk you through the process.

Step 1: Visit the official website and click the green Download button.

Download Java - 6

Step 3: Double-click the downloaded file to start the installation.

Step 4: Click the Install button.

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Step 5: Close the installer and verify the problem is fixed.

Fix 4: Allow Java Through Your Firewall

The Windows 11 firewall helps protect your computer by blocking threats, unwanted programs, and other malicious software. Some programs may ask for permission to pass through the firewall. If the firewall blocks Java, you will get the Java Runtime Environment is not found error. Here’s how you can fix the same.

Step 1: Click the magnifying lens on the Taskbar, type allow , and click Allow an app through Windows Firewall .

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Step 2: Click the Change Settings button and Allow another app .

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Step 3: Click Browse , navigate the path below, and add your Java installation.

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Java
Browse java - 10

Step 4: Click the OK button.

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  • 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 .

Troubleshooter on Windows - 11

Step 2: Go to Other troubleshooters .

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Step 3: Click the Run button next to Printer to begin troubleshooting.

Run Printer Troubleshooter on Windows - 13

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 .

Open Print Spooler Properties - 14

Step 3: Set the Startup type to Automatic from the drop-down, if it isn’t set already.

Print Spooler Startup Type on Windows - 15

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 .

Configure Print Spooler on Windows - 16

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 .

Open Printers and Scanners on Windows - 17

Step 2: Select the printer you want to remove.

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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.

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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.

Open Services - 20

Step 2: Right-click on Print Spooler and select Stop .

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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.

Delete Print Spooler Cache on Windows - 22

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.

Download Printer Driver on Windows - 23

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
Registry Editor on Windows - 24

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.

Delete Registry Keys - 25

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