Print spooler crash (desktop)

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ASKER

In progress...

ASKER

Spooler service still stops while Windows is searching the network

I think John is correct here. AND, you might want to open each printer before removing any to see if any documents are stuck in any of their queues as well. At least you will know what didn't print, and what might be crashing the spooler.

ASKER

This is a brand new PC and has never had a printer successfully added

New Dell OptiPlex Windows 10. Everything works

New out of the box and Spooler crashes.

Two things:

1. Dell Support.
2. Update BIOS and Chipset drivers to see if that helps.

ASKER

In progress...

EDIT: (Sorry, did not see your answer as I was writing this, that it is new with no printers.)

Have you deleted all other printers? This is a known bug in Windows 10. Multiple printers can cause a spooler crash. Typically when Windows 10 goes to look for a network printer. I addition to John's suggestions, you should delete any printer you know is not going to be used. You might have to delete them and add them back later.

I want to check on what you said Mike. When you open Printers and Scanners do you see any devices installed by default?
Does it crash when you try and add a printer, or just when you open the add a printer dialog?
If it is crashing after you asked it to go find the printer, you might need to go to the printer's manufacturer software page and get a newer driver that what might already be included with Windows 10

One more thing:

If Print Spooler service keeps stopping, you might be able to fix it by changing the Recovery options. To do that, follow these steps:

Open Services window, locate Print Spooler service and double click it.
When properties window opens, go to Recovery tab.
Locate Subsequent failures setting and set it to Restart the Service.
Click Apply and OK to save changes.

Also make sure you update the drivers for the printer you are trying to install.

ASKER

Just installed the chipset and bios updates and rebooted.

Actually the print spooler is crashing on its on even if just leave the PC idle for 2 minutes

ASKER

2nd failure is set to restart, 3rd was set to do nothing, changed it to restart

You originally said it crashes when searching the network. If you disable or disconnect that network, does it still crash?

I would now call Dell Support.

Any new Lenovo machine we take out of the box installs and uses Printers just fine.

ASKER

Actually I'm noticing that the print spooler doesn't even start at boot. have to manually start even though set to automatically start. All we sell are dell pcs for years and first time I've seen this issue on a new PC.

I first discovered the spooler crashing when attempting to install printer software. I probably mistakenly stated the software install was causing the crash when actually the spooler wasn't started at all

In the earlier posts here, I showed you how to manage the Print Spooler. Works a treat here.

So since it is a key part of Windows, is not working, and the box is new, you may wish to return it / get Dell support before entertaining fix-its such as SFC, DISM and Windows Repair Install.

ASKER

Starting to believe you are correct...not sure what else I can try

ASKER

Did I mention we cloned another PC to this new one.

Ah, the old Clone problem. That can easily cause an error in a driver needed for the new machine. While I would normally recommend installing a new version of Windows 10, this is a new machine, and swapping it out might be quicker. And no telling what else may not work. Cloning has always ended up causing problems of compatibility eventually.