What can I do when I can’t add a printer due to the ‘Print Spooler not running’ error?

You can start by restarting the Print Spooler service manually. Follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type services.msc and hit Enter.
3. In the Services window, scroll down and find “Print Spooler.”
4. Right-click on “Print Spooler” and select “Restart.”
5. If the service is stopped, right-click and select “Start.”

This should resolve the issue temporarily, but if the problem persists, consider checking for corrupted files or outdated printer drivers.

Sometimes, the issue may lie with the printer driver. Double-check that you have the latest drivers installed:

1. Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest printer driver for your model.
2. Uninstall the current printer driver through Device Manager:
3. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
4. Find your printer, right-click, and choose Uninstall device.
5. Install the new driver you downloaded.

This might help in getting the Print Spooler to function properly, allowing you to add the printer.

You should consider running a system file checker scan to repair any potential corrupt system files:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by typing cmd in the search bar, right-clicking on Command Prompt, and selecting Run as administrator.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. This will scan and repair missing or corrupted system files, which might be causing the Print Spooler to malfunction.

This process can take some time, so be patient. Once completed, try adding the printer again to see if the issue is resolved.

Check if there are any Windows updates pending. Outdated system files could be causing the Print Spooler to fail. Here’s how you can update your Windows:

1. Go to Settings and select Update & Security.
2. Click on Check for updates.
3. If there are updates available, install them.

Updating your system could solve the Print Spooler issue and enable you to add your printer successfully.

You might also need to check the system for malware using a thorough antivirus scan. Start with these steps:

1. Open your antivirus software.
2. Update it to the latest version.
3. Perform a full system scan to detect and remove any malware.

Malware can disrupt system services like Print Spooler, and removing any threats could get the service running again and allow you to add your printer.

Another method is to ensure that Print Spooler dependencies are set correctly:

1. Open the Run dialog with Windows + R.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Right-click on “Print Spooler” and choose Properties.
4. Go to the Dependencies tab and make sure all listed services are running.
5. Start any service that is not running.

Ensuring all dependencies are active might resolve the issue, facilitating the addition of your printer.

To address the issue with the Print Spooler not running, you might need to clear the print spooler files, as they could be corrupt. Here’s a detailed solution:

1. Press Windows + R and type in services.msc.
2. Scroll down to “Print Spooler,” right-click, and select “Stop.”
3. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files inside this folder.
4. Go back to the Services window, right-click on “Print Spooler,” and select “Start.”

This should clear any corrupted print spooler files and allow you to add your printer without issues.