How to fix and clear the Windows Print Spooler queue when print jobs are stuck

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix and clear the Windows Print Spooler queue when print jobs are stuck. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

When a print job becomes stuck in Windows, subsequent documents often refuse to print because the queue is blocked. The standard fix is to stop the Print Spooler service, delete the temporary files held in the spooler folder, and then start the service again. This guide walks you through the process using both the Services console and Command Prompt, and covers what to do if the problem returns.

Before You Begin

• Save and close any open documents on the affected printer.
• Note the name of the printer you are troubleshooting, in case you need to remove and re-add it later.
• You will need an account with administrator rights on the Windows device.

Method 1: Clear the Print Queue Using the Services Console

This is the most common approach and works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down to Print Spooler in the list of services.
3. Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.
4. Close the Services window, then press Win + R again.
5. Type %windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS and press Enter.
6. Select all files in the folder (Ctrl + A) and delete them. If prompted, choose Continue to confirm administrator access.
7. Return to Services, right-click Print Spooler, and select Start.
8. Try printing a test page from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

Method 2: Clear the Print Queue Using Command Prompt

Use this method if you prefer a single command sequence or are troubleshooting remotely.

1. Click Start, type cmd, then select Run as administrator.
2. Enter the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:

   net stop spooler
   del /Q /F %windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*
   net start spooler

3. Close Command Prompt and send a test print job.

Method 3: Remove and Re-add the Printer

If the queue clears but documents still fail to print, the printer driver may be corrupted. Removing and re-adding the device forces Windows to install a fresh driver.

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select the affected printer and click Remove.
3. Restart the computer.
4. Return to Printers & scanners and click Add device.
5. Choose the printer from the list, or click Add manually if it is a network or older USB device.
6. Print a test page to confirm the issue is resolved.

Troubleshooting

The Print Spooler service will not stop

If Stop produces an access denied error, ensure you launched Services or Command Prompt as an administrator. Group policies on business networks can also lock the service. If you suspect a policy is in place, contact your IT administrator for assistance.

Files in the PRINTERS folder will not delete

Close any open print dialogs, PDF readers, or applications that may be holding the files open. Restarting the computer and attempting the deletion before the Print Spooler starts again will usually resolve this.

Jobs reappear immediately after clearing

This typically indicates a stuck job on a network printer or a driver loop. Remove the printer as described in Method 3, then download the latest driver from the manufacturer's website rather than relying on the generic Windows driver.

The printer is offline or shows as paused

• Right-click the printer in Printers & scanners and ensure Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing are both unchecked.
• Confirm the printer is powered on, has paper, and shows no error lights.
• For network printers, ping the printer's IP address from Command Prompt to verify connectivity.

Still Having Issues?