Clearing Bad Print Jobs (Windows)

Issue/Question

How do I get rid of a bad print job?

Environment

  • Windows

Cause

Sometimes print jobs can become corrupted and it's best practice to clear them and restart the print spooler service.

Resolution

Clearing Bad Print Jobs

  1. Go to the C: drive.
  2. Click the Windows folder.
  3. Click the System 32 folder.
  4. Click the spool folder.
  5. Click the PRINTERS folder.
  6. Then if there are any files in here (there should be) delete them all. These are the bad print jobs.

Restarting the Print Service

  1. In the search box on the start menu search, services.msc.
  2. Double click Print Spooler.
  3. Then stop and start the service.
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Related Articles (2)

Information for resolving an issue printing a specific document.
Information on troubleshooting printing problems in Microsoft Windows.