Windows 10: Print Spooler crashing after Windows update

A month ago my computer installed a routine Windows Update upon shut down. When I started up the next morning I couldn't print, getting an error saying I needed to install a printer to be able to print. When I clicked on the network printer I wanted to install I got another error: "Windows cannot connect to the printer. The local print spooler is not running. Please restart the spooler or restart the machine."


I checked the spooler and it had indeed stopped. I restarted it and tried to print, only for it to fail again.


Key Points:

My machine is a HP 280 G2. 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor.

OS: Win10 Pro, version 1803, build17134.472

Printer is connected to another machine (called Print-Server) via USB and shared on the local network
Print-Server is a HP Compaq dc7900. 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

OS: Win10 Pro, version 1803, build 17134.523

The Windows updates that installed prior to the error were KB4480966 and KB4100347. The Error has occurred on 3 separate machines in exactly the same way over the course of this month. I have been able to use System Restore on two of these machines to go back to before the Updates were downloaded and disabled any further Windows Updates.


On the remaining machine I have tried:

Changing the spooler's Recovery settings (subsequent failures: Restart the Service)
Checked all dependencies are installed and running

Removing the device and deleting the driver from the registry
Re-adding the printer (fails with error: "Windows cannot connect to the printer. The local print spooler is not running. Please restart the spooler or restart the machine.") - Upon checking Services, my spooler has not stopped and I can print to a different printer (wifi).

Cleared out folder C:\windows\system32\spool\printers

Uninstalling KB4480966 and KB4100347 - Neither file listed in 'Uninstall an update'.


Any help would be greatly appreciated!

:)

 

Print Spooler Issue

Hello Sree,

For step by step instructions on how you can manually start the Print Spooler Service, follow these:

• Click Windows tab.
• Type Control Panel > System and Maintenance
  > Administrative Tools.
• Double click Services.
• Right click to the Print Spooler service > Properties.

However, we suggest you can refer to an answer given by Prabhavathi Patil on this

thread.

We also recommend that you update the driver for your printer.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

Thanks.

 

print spooler keeps crashing unable to uninstall or install printer - windows 10 pro 16299.125

i ran the print troubleshooter again, but because spooler service had crashed so many times, it was able to do more analysis. it suggested an option that isolated the print drivers from the spooler service to increase spooler staility. I have no idea what
any of that means. maybe you could clue me in?

L: Problem with printer

Problem with printer
There might be problems with HP Officejet 100 Mobile L411 BT. Windows will take additional steps to further troubleshoot.

Detected

L: The Print Spooler service is experiencing problems

The Print Spooler service is experiencing problems
Errors in the Print Spooler service might interrupt printing.

Fixed

Update printer policies

Completed

 

Must restart Spooler to print

Have you set the Print Spooler server to Automatic? If you haven't, then let's do it. Follow the steps below:

• Open Services through the search box.
• Locate Print Spooler service and double click it.
• Once the Print Spooler Properties window is open, look for Startup type and set is to
  Automatic.
  
• Check also the Service status and make sure that it is set to Started.
• Click Apply, then OK.

In case there are other printers installed on your PC that you no longer use, we suggest that you uninstall it as it may also cause some issues with Print Spooler.

Looking forward to your reply.

Regards