Spooler SubSystem app has encountered a problem and needs to close.

I'm right now in front of a computer that has a printer issue. More specifically, whenever the owner tries to print, an error message comes up saying "print spooler service is not running". The error message in the subject line above comes up seemingly at random, not necessarily when trying to print anything.

I looked in Computer Management > Services, and according to the information there, Print Spooler service is running. I have stopped it and restarted it, checked to make sure it is set to restart on failure, and I checked that RPC was running as well. However, whenever I tried to uninstall the printer to reinstall it again, the same error message as before came up, "print spooler service not running". So I went and looked at the services again, and sure enough, print pooler has stopped running.

WinXP, SP2, HP Color Laser Jet 2600n, if you are curious. Thoughts anyone?

 

Let's start at the beginning to eliminate stuff:

Turn off your computer. Disconnect the power cord briefly and then connect it again. Next, disconnect the printer from the computer (i.e. disconnect the USB cable). Turn on the computer. Once in Windows, reconnect the USB cable. Windows should detect a new device. Try printing the test page.

 

When I do that, I get the error message about the spooler subsystem app needing to close because it has encountered an error. The computer never detects the new printer, though t is listed under "Printers and Faxes".

I found an MSKB article detailing the problem, that suggests a few solutions... I am reluctant to mess with the registry on someone else's computer though.

 

That was my next suggestion if that didn't work...a registry fix. Let me know if you are up for it and I will type it out. Of course, you will back up the registry before you start, just in case.

 

Update the driver, this is pretty common.

 

I started downloading the driver while I waited for further suggestions. If it doesn't work, I'd be willing put a restore point together and try that registry fix. My friend has to have this printer.

Status update to follow, once the driver is reinstalled.

 

There was a problem installing this hardware: HP Color LaserJet 2600n.

An error occurred during the installation of the device. The RPC server is unavailable.

Registry then...?

 

Probably so.

Fun stuff.

First, uninstall the old printer software from add/remove programs and try again.

 

Sadly, the old printer software isn't there.

 

Then this:




1.
Start Registry Editor.
2.
Locate the Local Port value under the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors\Local Port
3.
Double-click the Driver key, and then edit the value. Change the string value to Localspl.dll, and then click OK.
4.
Check the following registry key for third-party port monitors, and then remove any port monitors other than default port monitors:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors
The default port monitors are:
AppleTalk Printing Devices (if Services for Macintosh is installed)
BJ Language Monitor
Local Port
PJL Language Monitor
Standard TCP/IP Port
USB Monitor
Windows NT Fax Monitor
5.
Check the following registry key for third-party print providers, and then remove any print providers other than default print providers:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Providers
The default print providers are:
Internet Print Provider
LanMan Print Provider




Also--backup the reigstry first

Plaigarised from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314073

 

Made changes, rebooted computer... printer was detected when I plugged it in, but installing it didn't work. I get the same error message as before.

 

Woot!

I found an article I had AGES ago, but lost.

Give this a shot. The idea is to clean out the old crap.

http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/CleanPrinterDrivers.htm

 

Woot indeed. That worked!

You rock.

 

Nah, I just know where to find the answers.

That link is a keeper. We had a similar procedure where I used to work, but until now, Ive not been able to find it.