A Printer Spooler is a simple utility for queueing and managing print jobs sent to a printer. If there is a problem with the printer spooler it causes all kinds of issues such as slow printing, stuck documents, corrupted print jobs, spooler errors, and more. As such, it is important that you clear the printer spooler on Windows 11 from time to time as part of the regular printer maintenance. The good thing is, it is pretty easy to do.
This tutorial shows you a simple and easy way to clear and reset the printer spooler on Windows 11. Let’s get started.
Clear printer spooler on Windows 11
On Windows 11, you can clear the printer spooler by stopping the Print Spooler service and then deleting files in the Printers folders. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the Run window by pressing the Win + R keyboard shortcut.
Step 2: Enter ‘services.msc‘ in the Run field and click on the OK button to open Windows Services.
Step 3: Right-click on the Printer Spooler service and choose the Stop option.
Step 4: Open the File Explorer window. You can use the Win + E keyboard shortcut or click on the taskbar icon.
Step 5: Go to the “C:\WINDOWS\System32” folder.
Step 6: Open the Spool folder and then double-click on the PRINTERS folder.
Step 7: Select all files in this folder with Ctrl + A keyboard shortcut.
Step 8: Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
Step 9: Click on the Continue button if prompted for confirmation.
Step 10: Close all open windows and restart your computer.
Once the system has been restarted, the printer spooler is cleared and all the queued print jobs are deleted. In addition to that, the Printer Spooler service automatically starts, and there is no need to start it manually. You can start printing again without the errors or problems related to the printer spooler.
I hope this tutorial helped you clear the printer spooler on Windows 11 and solve printer issues.
If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.
Related tutorials:
Hopefully you mean “without” in this summary sentence, because I am going to try this!
“You can start printing again with the errors or problems related to the printer spooler.”
Thank you for the steps.
Thank you for pointing it out. Just corrected. Have a good day.