Windows stores all its operating in a temporary memory module, and each component is using this memory block to execute pending work like printing. When you are printing any documents in bulk, they get stuck in the printer’s queue and prevent other print documents. To fix the issue, you have to clear the print queue, also called the print spooler. In this article, we are going to share how you can clear the print spooler in Windows 10.
Windows automatically clears the print queue when an application prints through it. When the print job arrives at the device (hard disc), printer software on that device then scans the job and prints the document.
The problem with this is that every time you print this document, the print job is created and sent every time again, resulting in many duplicated documents.
A Guide to Forcefully Clear Print Spooler in Windows 10
Restarting the print spooler can fix the stuck print jobs. It will also clear the print spooler so that your system will restart printing the documents again.
Clear and Restart the Print Spooler Manually
Step 1: Open the start menu and then search for Services. Then click on Services.
Step 2: Find print spooler service from the list of Windows services and right-click on it. Then choose Properties.
Step 3: Now, if the service is already running, click on Stop the service again.
Step 4: Now open file explorer with Windows + E key on your keyboard and then go to this path:
%windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS
Step 5: If you asked for permission to access the folder, then click on Continue.
Step 6: Delete all the files stored here and then go to Windows services again.
Step 7: Now start the printer spooler service again by clicking on the start button.
Also Read: How to Reset Waste Ink Pad Counter for Epson Printers
Clear and Restart the Print Spooler with a Batch File
If restarting the Print Spooler service is not working for you, you can restart the print spooler with a batch file.
Step 1: Open Notepad and paste these commands into the file.
net stop spooler
del /Q /F /S “%windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*”
net start spooler
Step 2: Now save the Notepad file with .bat extension.
Step 3: Click on File > Save As.
Step 4: Then choose All files (*.*) from the drop-down list > name it to text.bat and then click Save.
Step 4: Run the batch file by double-clicking it. Save it for the future. Whenever you want to clear and restart the print spooler, just run the batch file, and you are good to go.
Conclusion
If clear print spooler and restarting didn’t fix your issue on your Windows 10 then try updating your printer drivers. Also, try to reinstall your printer drivers. It is also recommended to keep your Windows updated to avoid issues like this.
We hope you fixed the issue. Comment below if you need any help related to this topic.
