Printer suddenly not installed, print spooler service not running

Hi! I'm hoping this problem might sound familiar to someone.


*I recently tried to print a file from Photoshop, the PRINT option was not available. This was a sudden problem - I had printed within a week prior.

*So I tried to print another file from Windows to see if the problem was just Photoshop. A window popped up saying I needed to install a printer. I've had the same comp. + printer setup for at least 5 years with no problems so this was a surprise.

*I checked out my installed printers, there are none.

*I tried to add a printer and got a popup that said: Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running.

*The printer is connected with USB.

*No problems printing from wireless laptop.


I have not been able to keep up with this computer - it is used for leisure - basic internet and Photoshop. Unfortunately I have let the cleaning, upkeep, maintenance slide, so I have no idea if this problem is the result of a virus, an application that needs to be updated, sudden conflicts with automatic anti-virus updates, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone may be able to give!!

 

Right click on Computer or My Computer and select Manage. Click on Services. Scroll down to print spooler and make sure it is started and set to automatic.

 

Thanks tgell, checked what you suggested, it was set to automatic, but not started. I'm not sure what to do about the not started part.:confused

Thanks again!

 

Right click the spooler service and select start.

 

OK, started the spooler service, thanks. I'm getting a pop up is telling me there was a problem installing my printer, the RPC server is unavailable.

 

Can you go into Services and see if the Remote Procedure Call service is started or there.

 

RPC is on automatic and is started. Not sure if it matters, RPC locator is on manual and not started.

 

When you right click on the Print Spooler service and go to the Log On tab, what is checked? It should be Local System Account and Allow service to interact with desktop.

 

Local System Account and Allow service to interact with desktop are both checked.

I'm pretty positive the USB has not been disconnected/moved, and I'll be sure not to.

Thank you both very much!

 

On the RPC service, do have this?

 

Yes, mine says NT authority/ network service.

 

One last question. Do have the same settings under RPC locator service? If you do, I am not sure what the problem may be. You are using XP, correct?

 

If I may ask, in the "Properties" window for the "Print Spooler", what services are listed under "Dependencies" tab in the top window pane?

 

-Yes, I have the same settings under RPC locator service (NT authority/network service)

-Yes, XP

-When I click the Dependencies tab for the print spooler I get a small pop up with a red circle/x and WMI:not found. When I close the pop up, the two boxes on the Dependencies window underneath are empty.

Thanks!

 

Is the Windows Management Instrumentation Service started and set to Automatic?

 

Sorry for the delayed reply. Yes, it is started and automatic.

Thanks!

 

In the previous post under dependencies it said that WMI was not found. You can download this utility. In step 4 create a Restore Point. In the Start Repairs tab press custom and uncheck everything except repair WMI and press start. Do this in an admin account.

http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=7141

If this does not solve the problem, I am out of ideas and suggest that you post in the Malware Removal Forum with attached logs after reading the sticky post there. You said you have let maintenance slide so you very well could have picked up a virus.

 

Thank you very much for all your help tgell, I'll do as you suggest and hopefully it works!

 

** Spooler Problem fixed **

I had the same Problem before and now I have it solved help of this following article please click below and follow their mentioned steps and get your problem fixed.

Click this link
http://www.techsupportall.com/print-spooler-is-not-running/