How to Remove a Stuck Document from the Windows Print Queue

2025 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-24 13:28

Have you ever tried to correct a problem in the printer queue, when after trying to delete something, it does not delete, but shows the entry "In deletion"? You don't have to worry anymore. This article will help you delete the item from the queue entirely, with a few simple steps, and will allow you to get back to using the printer.

Steps

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 1

Step 1. Turn off the printer, directly from the printer

In some cases, the problem will be solved, without having to resort to other measures.

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 2

Step 2. Make sure the printer cables are properly connected to the computer

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 3

Step 3. Right click on Computer from the Windows desktop

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 4

Step 4. Click on "Management"

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 5

Step 5. Grant your computer access to the "Start Computer Management Snapin" tool from the User Account Control window that appears, if your computer is running Windows Vista or later

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 6

Step 6. Find the Services and Applications item in the right column of the window

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 7

Step 7. Double click on "Services and Applications" in the right column of the window

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 8

Step 8. Double click on "Services"

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 9

Step 9. Scroll and click on the "Print Spooler" item in the list of services used by your computer

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 10

Step 10. Click on "Properties"

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 11

Step 11. Find and click the "Stop" button which you should find under the "Service Status" heading next to the "Started" status

Wait a few seconds for the service to stop.

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 12

Step 12. Open a Run window from the Start menu (or with the keyboard shortcut Windows key + R) and type the following path in the text field

When you have typed, press Enter, to open the folder.

C: / Windows / System32 / spool / PRINTERS

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 12Bullet1

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 13

Step 13. Delete all documents in this folder

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 14

Step 14. Close the open list of documents to print

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 15

Step 15. Restart the Print Spooler service from the Print Spooler Properties window

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 16

Step 16. Click the OK button at the bottom of the Print Spooler Properties window

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 17

Step 17. Close the "Computer Management" dialog box

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 18

Step 18. Turn on the printer

Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue Step 19

Step 19. Test your printer, to check that everything works again

Advice

If you have an operating system earlier than Windows Vista (such as Windows XP or 2000), the steps described in this guide are still valid.
Once the Print Spooler has stopped, leave the services window open. So you will remember to reactivate it at the end of the operation.

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