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MS-Windows Troubleshooting

Printer operation cannot continue due to lack of resources. The print subsystem is unavailable.

Symptom:

When trying to add a printer (via "Add Printer" in Control Panel > Printers, or Start > Settings > Printers) a dialog box appears containing the following error:

Printer operation cannot continue due to lack of resources. The print subsystem is unavailable.

Cause:

This error indicates a problem with the Print Spooler service - typically it is not running.

Possible Remedies:

  • Check that the Print Spooler service is running:
    1. Start > Settings > Control Panel
    2. Administrative Tools > Services
    3. Find the service "Print Spooler".
    4. Check that it is set to "Automatic" start-up.
    5. If it is not running then start it (right click it and select "Start")
  • The following link has also been recommended: http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/CleanPrinterDrivers.htm

These notes have been tested with Windows 2000.

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