Computer help needed - printer spooler not starting

[david_carnell]

Hoping some of the techno-rati can help me with this one as I'm at a loss.

Bought a new HP printer for my Dell laptop (running Windows 7). Can't install the driver due to the print spooler not starting. Ergo, printer no worky.

Have hunted around forums and tech support sites and done everything suggested but nadda. Can anyone offer any insight?

[right-clicking]

Hello Microsoft have a "fix it" script available for your issue. follow the wizard and read the notes on this page. Hope this solves your issues Ian

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-cant-I-print

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

Open Administrative Tools by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type administrative tools, and then click Administrative Tools.

Double-click Services. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Right-click the Print Spooler service, and then click Properties.

On the General tab, next to Startup type, make sure that Automatic is selected.

If the service is not already running, under Service status, click Start, and then click OK. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

[david_carnell]

Thanks. I tried that last night but no luck - even trying to manually start the spooler didn't work.

Still nothing.

[GrahamP]

David,

A few weeks agoI had a similar problem in which the print spooler service kept stopping. Installed printers had disappeared too.

After a lot of research I found this page of useful info which had a solution to the problem:-

http://forums.techguy.org/windows-xp/998760-solved-print-spooler-keeps-stopping.html

The fix involves editing the registry so take the usual care or get some help if it's a bit too technical for you.

Hope that helps or at least points you in the right direction.

Graham

[right-clicking]

Ok! has windows given you an error code or is it just an alert telling you that the print spool is not running? in services-print spool. right click properties-log on local system account is checked. make sure allow service button is on. it's also worth trying to stop the service and restart it. run an elevated command prompt (type cmd in search box right click run as admin) type in these two commands: net stop spooler net start spooler

[david_carnell]

Cheers. Will try these tonight and report back.

Many thanks.

[Annette Curtain]

It's sitting there laughing at you David, with a silly HP grin all over its plasticy ergonomic face.

http://meanstock.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/office-space-employees-smashing-printer.jpg So go teach it a lesson.

:-S

[intexasatthe moment]

I've found this http://maciak.org/fixmyprinter worked to clear print jobs and restart the spooler - whatever that is .

[david_carnell]

Trouble is I've never had previous printers installed.....this is the first one. And it won't let me "Add printer" or install drivers due to the spooler not working. It won't start manually either. Didn't get a chance to try everything suggested here last night so may try tonight.