How to clear spooler in Windows 10?

How to Clear Spooler in Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

What is Spooler?

Before we dive into the process of clearing the spooler in Windows 10, let’s first understand what the spooler is. The spooler is a component of Windows that manages print jobs. When you send a print job to the spooler, it temporarily stores the document in a queue until it’s printed. This allows you to print multiple documents simultaneously without having to wait for each one to finish printing.

Why Clear the Spooler?

Clearing the spooler may be necessary in certain situations, such as:

• print queue errors: If you encounter errors or issues with print jobs, clearing the spooler can resolve the problem.
• free up disk space: The spooler can consume significant disk space, especially if you have a large number of print jobs pending. Clearing the spooler can help free up space on your hard drive.
• performance issues: A clogged print spooler can cause slow performance and errors. Clearing the spooler can improve system performance.

How to Clear Spooler in Windows 10?

Clearing the spooler in Windows 10 is a relatively simple process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Method 1: Clear Spooler using the Print Management Tool

1. Open the print management tool: Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, and click on "Print management."
2. Open the Printers tab: In the Print management window, click on the "Printers" tab.
3. Select the printer: Select the printer you want to clear from the list of available printers.
4. Right-click on the printer: Right-click on the selected printer and select "See what’s printing."
5. Clear the print queue: In the "See what’s printing" window, click on the "Reset" button to clear the print queue.

Method 2: Clear Spooler using the Services Manager

1. Open the Services Manager: Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services (or type "services.msc" in the Run dialog box).
2. Find the Print Spooler service: In the Services Manager window, scroll down and find the "Print Spooler" service.
3. Stop the service: Right-click on the "Print Spooler" service and select "Stop" to temporarily stop the service.
4. Delete the print spooler directory: Go to the following directory: %windir%system32spooldriversw32x86 and delete the contents.
5. Restart the Print Spooler service: Go back to the Services Manager and right-click on the "Print Spooler" service and select "Start" to start the service again.

Additional Tips and Considerations

• Regularly check for print queue errors: Run regular checks on your print queue to identify and resolve any issues before they cause problems.
• Use the built-in troubleshooting tool: If you encounter print queue errors, use the built-in troubleshooting tool to identify and fix common issues.
• Update your printer drivers: Ensure your printer drivers are up-to-date to prevent conflicts and issues.
• Consider using a third-party print queue manager: If you’re still experiencing issues, consider using a third-party print queue manager, such as PrintQueue Manager or Print Spooler Manager, to help manage and troubleshoot your print queue.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve covered the importance of clearing the spooler in Windows 10, as well as two methods to do so. By following these steps, you can clear the spooler and resolve print queue errors, free up disk space, and improve system performance. Remember to regularly check for print queue errors, update your printer drivers, and consider using a third-party print queue manager to help manage and troubleshoot your print queue.