What causes print spooler keeps crashing or stopping on Windows?

Common causes of print spooler keeps crashing or stopping include: Corrupted print job stuck in the queue, Incompatible or corrupted printer driver, Third-party print processor or monitor causing crash, Corrupted spool folder files, Too many printers installed (driver conflicts), Windows Print Spooler vulnerability patch causing compatibility issues.

How do I know if I have print spooler keeps crashing or stopping issues?

Common symptoms of print spooler keeps crashing or stopping include: Print Spooler service stops immediately after starting, Printing fails with "Spooler SubSystem App has stopped working", Can't add printers because spooler is not running, Print queue shows jobs but nothing prints, Event Viewer shows Print Spooler crash (Event ID 7031), Spooler crashes when a specific printer is installed.

Fix Print Spooler Keeps Crashing or Stopping

Symptoms

You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:

•Print Spooler service stops immediately after starting
•Printing fails with "Spooler SubSystem App has stopped working"
•Can't add printers because spooler is not running
•Print queue shows jobs but nothing prints
•Event Viewer shows Print Spooler crash (Event ID 7031)
•Spooler crashes when a specific printer is installed

Common Causes

⚠Corrupted print job stuck in the queue
⚠Incompatible or corrupted printer driver
⚠Third-party print processor or monitor causing crash
⚠Corrupted spool folder files
⚠Too many printers installed (driver conflicts)
⚠Windows Print Spooler vulnerability patch causing compatibility issues

Solutions

Solution 1: Clear Print Queue

1CMD as Administrator:
2net stop spooler
3del /F /S /Q C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*
4net start spooler
5This removes all stuck print jobs
6Try printing again

Solution 2: Fix Corrupted Drivers

1If spooler crashes when a specific printer is used:
2Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
3Remove the problematic printer
4Open Print Management (printmanagement.msc)
5Under Drivers → remove the driver for that printer
6Restart Print Spooler service
7Re-add the printer with a fresh driver from manufacturer website

Solution 3: Reset Print Spooler

1If spooler keeps crashing regardless:
2CMD as Administrator:
3net stop spooler
4del /F /S /Q C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*
5del /F /S /Q C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\*
6CAUTION: this removes all printer drivers — you'll need to reinstall them
7net start spooler
8Re-add printers one at a time to find the problem driver

FIXES THIS IN 5 MINUTES