HP Designjet Printers - Spool.svc or Spooler Errors on Microsoft Windows XP/Vista

If you are receiving SPOOL.SVC or PRINT SPOOLER ERRORS when trying to uninstall/reinstall your printer or when trying to print a document or access the printer properties, please follow the steps in the Solution section.

The following are examples of some of the messages you may be receiving:

Spool.svc is not running. Make the service active and try again.

Printer Properties cannot be displayed. The print spooler service is not running.

Printer cannot be removed. The print spooler service is not running.

Windows cannot print due to a problem with the current printer setup.

Operation could not be completed (When clicking Add Printer).

note:

Only these types of errors warrant the troubleshooting steps defined in the following.

SPOOL.SVC is an operating system function which carries files through the operating system for printing. It must be started (active) to be able to print or access any printer's functions. This file usually starts automatically with Microsoft Windows, however operating system issues may cause it to become stopped. You cannot uninstall or reinstall a driver while this service is stopped.

Please try the following to start the service again:

1. Click START, right-click MY COMPUTER, and select MANAGE.
2. On the left column, double left-click SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS, then click SERVICES.
3. Locate and highlight the PRINT SPOOLER on the list of Services.
4. Click START THE SERVICE.

If other errors still occur and the spooler service cannot be started, there is another issue within the operating system itself.

It is recommended to read more about this issue on the Microsoft website.

note:

This document contains an issue that may apply to many other printers, not only to HP Designjets.