2009/08/05

Spooler subsystem app has encountered a problem and needs to close

When you try to start or stop the Print Spooler service, or when you click Start and then click

Printers and Faxes, you may receive the following error message:
Spooler subsystem app has encountered a problem and needs to close.

Solution:

Step 1: Start the computer in safe mode

Step 2: Delete the spool printer and driver files

Delete all the files and the folders in the following two folders:
* C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printers
* C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Drivers\w32x86

Step 3: Edit the registry

Step 3A
Locate and expand the following registry key to view the list of subkeys (subfolders):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86

In the subkey list, there should only be the following subkeys:

* Drivers
* Print Processors

If there are any subkeys other than this subkeys delete them.

Step 3B

Locate and then expand the following registry key to view the list of subkeys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors
In the list of subkeys, there should only be the following subkeys for the default print

monitors:

* BJ Language Monitor
* Local Port
* PJL Language Monitor
* Standard TCP/IP Port
* USB Monitor

If there are any subkeys other than this subkeys delete them.

Step 4: Install the printer and print a test page

Taken from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810894/en-us