Document stuck in the print queue — how to clear it
One frozen document in the queue can block every print job behind it. Here are two ways to fix it — from the simplest to the more thorough.
Method 1: through Settings (simplest)
Open the print queue
Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → select your printer → Open print queue.
Cancel all documents
Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the queue window and choose "Cancel all." If it works, the documents disappear from the list within seconds.
Method 2: manually clearing the spool folder (when method 1 doesn't work)
Stop the Print Spooler service
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, find "Print Spooler," right-click it and choose "Stop."
Clear the spool folder
Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. Delete every file in this folder — these are the physically stored, stuck print jobs.
Restart the Print Spooler service
Go back to services.msc, find "Print Spooler," and click "Start." The queue should now be completely empty and ready for new jobs.
When it's a job for IT
- The spool folder keeps filling up with stuck jobs despite regular clearing.
- The problem affects a shared network printer used by many people — it may need attention on the print server.
- The Print Spooler service refuses to start again after being stopped.
Couldn't fix it yourself?
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