What Is spoolsv.exe & How To Fix spoolsv Application Errors
Spoolsv.exe is a Windows process responsible for managing print and fax jobs on your system. It is normally not considered a security risk and should not be removed as it is a core component of the operating system. Even so, it is possible for this file to be infected by a virus or worm, and as always, such infection may be the cause of any strange issues, especially as several known pieces of malware pose as spoolsv.exe. Read on for more details.
Spoolsv.exe is responsible for queuing print and fax jobs, and is normally found at either c:\windows\system32 or c:\winnt\system32. It is a core component of the operating system and should not be removed, even if no printers or fax devices are present.
If spoolsv.exe is using a large amount of system resources for some reason, there are two ways in which this problem may be solved. It is possible that print jobs may be stuck in the queue, and removing these jobs may get things working again. The following steps will accomplish this:
- Click Start, Settings, Control panel, Administrative Tools, Services.
- Right-click Print Spooler, then click Stop.
- Leaving the window open, click My Computer and navigate to either c:\windows\system32\spool\PRINTERS or c:\winnt\system32\spool\PRINTERS.
- Delete all the files in this folder.
- Open the TMP folder and delete all old and unused files.
- Back in the Services window, right-click Print Spooler, then click Start.
If you are unable to delete the files, it may be necessary to restart your computer in safe mode before repeating the above steps. To do so, press F8 during system restart and select Safe Mode from the Advanced options menu.
If the above solution does not work, and if you don’t mind losing any current print jobs, the process may be safely stopped. The following steps should end the runaway process:
- Right-click on the taskbar, then click Task Manager.
- Click the “Processes” tab.
- Find the spoolsv.exe process in the list and click “End Task.”
- Click “OK” or “End Now” in response to the dialog box that appears.
If neither of these solutions works, it is possible that the issue may lie with your printer drivers. Ensure that you have applied all the latest patches and hotfixes via Windows Update. Also, check the manufacturer’s website for your printer for any published driver updates.
It is also possible that spoolsv.exe problems are caused by it having been replaced by a virus or some other form of malware. To check if this is the case, install a reliable scanner such as either AVG (http://www.avg.com) or Avast (http://www.avast.com) and perform a system scan. Most reliable malware scanners are updated regularly with current information on known threats, so regularly running these tools and keeping them up-to-date can both resolve current issues, as well as prevent new ones from destroying your entire system. Registry cleaners are also helpful in decluttering your system of performance-inhibiting or malicious data. One such popular application is RegGenie, available at http://www.reggenie.com.