How to start the Print Spooler

Windows
Mac

Windows

If you cannot find any printers on your computer, it could be because the Print Spooler is unresponsive, possibly beacause of a print driver. Follow these steps to start the Print Spooler again.

Press Windows+R.

The Run dialog box appears.
Type: services.msc, and select OK.
Right-click Spooler.
Select Start.
From the command line as administrator:
- Start Print Spooler service with the start command by typing:
  
  net start spooler

Mac

From the command line as administrator:

Select the search icon in the top right corner.
Type: terminal, and select Enter.
In the Terminal window, type the relevant command:
- Stop the printing system CUPS with the stop command by typing:
  
  sudo launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd
- Start the printing system CUPS with the start command by typing:
  
  sudo launchctl start org.cups.cupsd

Reset the printing system

Resetting the system deletes all printers on the Mac. Only use this option if all other troubleshooting options failed.

Select Apple menu > System Settings, then select Printers & Scanners.
Select the Control ^ key and select in the left side printer list and select Reset Printing System.
Select Reset to confirm you want to delete all printers.
Enter administrator Password when requested.

Reset the printing system on macOS version 12 or lower

Select Apple menu > System Preferences, then select Printers & Scanners.
Select the Control ^ key and select in the left side printer list and select Reset printing system.
Select Reset to confirm you want to delete all printers.
Enter administrator Password when requested.