How to Turn On or Off the Print Spooler Service in Windows – 2024

How to Turn On or Off the Print Spooler Service in Windows

The Print Spooler service is an essential component in Windows that manages all print jobs sent to the printer. It stores print jobs in memory and sends them to the printer one by one. While enabling the Print Spooler is necessary for printing tasks, there may be security or performance reasons to disable it, such as during a vulnerability or when troubleshooting printer issues. This guide will walk you through enabling or disabling the Print Spooler service on Windows.

1. What is the Print Spooler Service?

The Print Spooler is a service that handles the queue of print jobs in Windows. It temporarily stores the print jobs on the hard drive or memory before sending them to the printer. Here’s how it works:

• Queue Management: The Print Spooler allows multiple documents to be sent to the printer, which are then processed in order.
• Print Job Handling: If your printer is busy, the Spooler holds the print jobs until the printer becomes available.
• Network Printing: In a network environment, the Print Spooler plays an important role in managing print jobs from different computers to a single printer.

However, there are situations when you might need to disable the Print Spooler, such as when encountering security vulnerabilities (like PrintNightmare) or resolving printing errors.

2. How to Enable or Disable Print Spooler Service Using Services Manager

One of the most common methods to enable or disable the Print Spooler service is by using the Services Manager. This is a built-in utility that allows you to control the services running on your Windows machine.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable or Disable Print Spooler via Services Manager:

1. Open Services Manager:
   • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services Manager.
2. Find the Print Spooler Service:
   • In the Services window, scroll down and look for the Print Spooler service.
3. Disable the Print Spooler Service:
   • To disable the service, right-click on Print Spooler and select Properties.
   • In the Properties window, under the General tab, click the Stop button to disable the service.
   • To prevent the service from starting automatically, change the Startup type to Disabled. Click Apply and then OK.
4. Enable the Print Spooler Service:
   • If you want to enable the Print Spooler, follow the same steps. Right-click on the Print Spooler service and click Start to restart the service.
   • Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic to ensure the service runs whenever Windows starts. Click Apply and then OK.

3. How to Enable or Disable Print Spooler Using Command Prompt

Another method to control the Print Spooler service is by using the Command Prompt. This method is efficient for those who prefer using command-line tools.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable or Disable Print Spooler Using Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Win + S and type cmd in the search bar.
   • Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. Disable the Print Spooler Service:
   • To disable the Print Spooler service, enter the following command and press Enter:
   bash

   net stop spooler

   • This command stops the Print Spooler service immediately.
3. Prevent the Print Spooler from Starting Automatically:
   • If you want to prevent the Print Spooler from starting automatically at boot, run this command:
   bash

   sc config spooler start= disabled

4. Enable the Print Spooler Service:
   • To enable the Print Spooler, run this command:
   bash

   net start spooler

   • This command starts the Print Spooler service.
5. Set the Print Spooler to Start Automatically:
   • To ensure that the Print Spooler starts automatically when Windows boots, run:
   bash

   sc config spooler start= auto


4. Using Windows PowerShell to Control Print Spooler Service

Windows PowerShell is another powerful tool that can be used to enable or disable the Print Spooler service.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable or Disable Print Spooler Using PowerShell:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:
   • Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu.
2. Disable the Print Spooler Service:
   • To disable the service, type the following command and press Enter:
   bash

   Stop-Service -Name Spooler

   • This command stops the Print Spooler service.
3. Prevent the Print Spooler from Starting Automatically:
   • To disable the service from starting automatically, use the following command:
   bash

   Set-Service -Name Spooler -StartupType Disabled

4. Enable the Print Spooler Service:
   • To enable the Print Spooler service, run this command:
   bash

   Start-Service -Name Spooler

5. Set the Print Spooler to Start Automatically:
   • To set the Print Spooler to start automatically, use the following command:
   bash

   Set-Service -Name Spooler -StartupType Automatic


5. Why Disable the Print Spooler?

There are several reasons you might want to disable the Print Spooler service:

• Security Concerns: Vulnerabilities like the PrintNightmare exploit have led to security advisories recommending that users disable the Print Spooler, especially if they are not using printers.
• Troubleshooting Printer Issues: If your printer isn’t working correctly or print jobs are getting stuck in the queue, disabling and re-enabling the Print Spooler can help resolve the issue.
• Performance Optimization: In environments where printing isn’t required, disabling the Print Spooler can help improve performance by reducing the number of running background services.

6. Best Practices for Managing Print Spooler Service

To ensure your system runs smoothly, follow these best practices when managing the Print Spooler service:

• Disable Print Spooler if You Don’t Use a Printer: If your PC is not connected to a printer, it’s safe to disable the service to reduce potential security risks.
• Re-enable Before Printing: If you occasionally use a printer, ensure that the Print Spooler is enabled before sending print jobs.
• Keep Windows Updated: Always keep your Windows system updated to ensure you have the latest security patches that address vulnerabilities related to the Print Spooler.

Conclusion

The Print Spooler service is a crucial component for managing print jobs on Windows, but there are situations when you may need to disable it for security or troubleshooting reasons. Whether you choose to manage the service via the Services Manager, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, you now have the knowledge to enable or disable the Print Spooler on Windows 11 or 10 effectively.

Always follow best practices for managing services on your system, especially if you rely on printers for daily tasks. By understanding how to control the Print Spooler service, you can optimize your system’s performance and security.