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Print spooler service failed to start
You cannot print from your computer. If you try to configure or reinstall your printer driver, you receive a message that says that the spooler service is stopped. When you try to start the Print Spooler service, you receive the message: "Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start."
Solution
Method 1
Verify that that the Print Spooler service, and all the services that it depends on, are correctly installed and running.
- Open the Services Management Console (click Start, Run and enter services.msc).
- Double-click the Print Spooler service to open its Properties window.
- On the General tab, check that Startup type is Automatic.
- Select the Dependencies tab.
- Note all of the dependent services listed, then close the Print Spooler Properties window.
- Repeat the above steps for the dependent services noted.
If any of the dependent services are missing or cannot be started, try uninstalling all installed printer drivers and then reinstalling them.
If this method cannot be completed or does not resolve the problem, try Method 2.
Method 2
Remove all Print Spooler service dependencies other than the Remote Procedure Call service.
- Click Start, Run and enter sc config spooler depend= RPCSS (there must be a space after "=" but not before it.)
By removing the other dependencies the Print Spooler service should be able to run, but the printer functionality may be affected, and it may be necessary to reinstall the printer drivers.
Applies to
- Microsoft Windows 2000
- Microsoft Windows XP
27 comments:
THANK YOU! My spooler has finally started, because of your help about getting the dependencies started.
Thanks GURU!!!
Katie (URL) - 26 04 2007 - 05:48
Wow thansk alot for method two ive been sitting here trying to fix the printer for two days now and my eyes are hurting my heads about to explode.
Ive got a hoto exhibition in a few days and was worried id have nothing to show but now the printers working.
maybe you could tell the hp.com guys how to fix spooler probs as they were useless and suposed to be technicians
CRAIG JOHNSON () (URL) - 22 06 2007 - 23:17
I did this, the service is not running so I tried your plans but the service stays "stopped".
Error1053 : The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.
It says that every time I want to restart the service.
Joe 2shoe's - 05 09 2007 - 16:48
Thank You SO much! This only took a couple of minutes and my problem is solved! =DDD Printer added successfully.
Melissa - 12 09 2007 - 21:21
Thanks, This has been very helpfull
Sachin () - 20 09 2007 - 16:56
Thank you for the great solution. Now my print spooler started.
Sasikumar () - 27 09 2007 - 12:37
Yayayayay! I've been without a printer for weeks, and I've spent several hours trying to figure out the advice on a variety of sites. Finally, finally, method 2 solved it all!!
Michele - 12 12 2007 - 04:16
Your step by step, multi-method approach is wonderful. I fixed my "Print Spooler Service" problem in minuets instead of hours. Thanks PC Guru
Mike () - 24 02 2008 - 18:03
THANK YOU!!!! after days of searching for an answer this finally solved it! the problem was a cannon and lexmark driver
brian () - 04 04 2008 - 20:20
PLEASE HELP ME I AM FRUSTRATED MY PRINTER SPOOLER IS STILL NOT WORKING IS THERE ANY NO I CAN CALL TO TAKE THE INSTRUCTIONS , I DID ALL THE STEPS BUT IN VAIN32
hina () - 14 04 2008 - 18:41
It didn't work for me either. Deleting the drivers was one of the first things I tried.
Adrienne - 16 04 2008 - 16:11
This step by step approach solved the problem. THANKS EVER SO MUCH. The dependency I had was to a previous printer manufacturer - LEXBCE server! Thanks
Norman - 29 04 2008 - 20:04
I have the 1068 error message on my Vista. LexBce server is missing. Can anyone suggest a fix? Can I delete LexBce server? Won't let me download any canon drivers. Please Help.
Anna - 19 05 2008 - 11:30
Thank you Guru been trying for weeks to get printer to work step 2 did the trick in minutes
cherrill - 11 07 2008 - 15:42
This really works! I have been trying to get my spooler service running for ages, tried method 2 then method 1 and it WORKED!
Tam - 13 07 2008 - 22:01
OMG! I have been working with PCs for years and never knew about this (solution 2)! It worked like a charm...thank you so much!!
Trisha () - 18 07 2008 - 10:34
Re: error message 1068
Thanks, method 2 worked for our print spooler start issue.
This cleared the LexBCE server dependencies. The print spooler to our windows xp is now started.
geri - 31 07 2008 - 14:33
I ahve tried both and STILL can not get the spoller started?
Kathy () - 05 09 2008 - 19:37
THANK YOU!!! This has been a problem for a year now and I just have tried to work around it and NOTHING was working. Thank you!! You're the best!! I will always visit this site.
karen - 06 09 2008 - 04:14
this still isnt working for me.. tried both step 1 and 2, but still not installing. its a hp printer and wont install.. this laptop has never had another printer installed on in before
Robyn Blundell - 12 10 2008 - 06:15
i was trying to re download my printer software because it got deleted somehow. Everytime i try to run the setup i get this message "Setup has determined that the service is stopped. In order to continue installation, it must be started. Do you want the spooler service started now? Choose 'yes' to start the service and continue the installation or choose 'no' to exit the installation." I choose yes and it goes back to my main screen and never does the setup process.... i want into turn the spooler on and it doesn't let me. what do i need to do?
Jessica () - 12 11 2008 - 01:12
You are GOOD! Thanks so much!
Regina Miller (URL) - 18 11 2008 - 18:20
I installed an HP printer a couple of weeks ago somehow it has disappeared. I go to start services and print spooler and it will not let me start the print spooler.. It gives me the error 1060 and cannot start this on your local computer. hope you can help :( :( :( ive been chatting with HP and Norton for over a week and cannot get this revolved.. microsoft charges a minimum of 60.00
Shelby () - 23 11 2008 - 20:12
I tried both of the solutions on your web page but the first one did not have a Print Spooler listed. An suggestions would be nice. Thanks.
Dan () - 06 12 2008 - 00:52
Thanks
SC CONFIG SPOOLER DEPEND= RPCSS
worked!!
tagnu () - 06 12 2008 - 12:01
Thanks!!!!!! You nailed it right on the head. Ended up something small. Didn't have TCP/IP Print Server on. Once I restarted it Print spooler turned right on. Thanks again!!
Andrew () - 09 12 2008 - 08:34
Once again you worked a charm
Fern () - 23 12 2008 - 18:02