Each user, whether he wants it or not, has situations when the computer freezes. When trying to terminate services and processes in the "Task Manager", many people see that in the process tree spoolsv.exe maximally uses the resources of the central processor or mercilessly "eats" memory. Let's see what kind of service it is.
Spoolsv.exe process: what is it?
Without going into technical details, we immediately say that this non-system process is responsible for the print queue on local printers. If we approach this issue more broadly, we can say that such a service provides for the printing of documents or fax messages.
In other words, it creates temporary files in the clipboard for documents sent to print and allows the user to use the computer while working in the background. When the spool.exe file is running, an application error can very often occur if you use the Microsoft Office Document Image Writer virtual printer program, which is installed on the system during the installation of the main office suite. Let's try to figure out what to do if an error still occurs.
Spoolsv.exe: application error
As a rule, a service error that leads to an excessive load on system resources, causing the entire system to freeze, usually occurs when a large number of documents are printed.
On low-powered machines in the spoolsv.exe service, an application error is observed much more often, because, in fact, the system receives such a volume of information that it simply does not have time to process it. At the same time, temporary files load the buffer system. It turns out that there is a real overload.
This can be compared, for example, with the fact that you are trying to add garbage to the package more and more when it is already full. That is why the spoolsv.exe error occurs, since neither the system nor the printer can correctly respond to the running process.
The simplest methods of error correction
Consider the simplest way that either avoids the appearance of such an error, or correct it. It is worth saying that the spoolsv.exe application error can be prevented if a small number of documents are printed. For example, on weak machines with connected antediluvian printers, it is better to print documents one at a time, in extreme cases, set 2-3 documents for printing. Do not forget that the printer in the factory setting has a certain response time (wait), after which, in fact, the printing process begins, because in aggregate this can lead to complete paralysis of the system.
An equally effective way is to quickly clear the print queue. When the document is set to print, the printer icon appears in the system tray, double-clicking on it, you can call the "Print Manager" window. In the menu you just need to select the “Clear print queue” command. True, this does not always help.
A vivid example is the use of network printers, when the document processing time and print delay time are much longer than when submitting a document for printing using a local printer connected directly to the computer terminal. In addition, cleaning the print queue from the network terminal usually does not lead to anything. The spoolsv.exe process itself ends when you turn off or when the computer restarts. Probably, many noticed that it was after a reboot that in most cases printing resumes.
By the way, those users who are trying to complete this process through the process tree in the "Task Manager", usually caused by a combination of "hot" keys Ctrl + Alt + Del, are absolutely wrong. It is highly discouraged to do this, because after the system “thinks”, perhaps printing will resume and take its course. And after forcibly stopping the service, you can not even think about printing.
In some cases, if the error occurs again and again, you can try to scan the registry, for example, using the Registry Reviver utility to fix incorrect or recover lost records or keys. If this does not help, it is recommended that you remove the spoolsv.exe service altogether and reinstall Spooler.
You can try updating the printer drivers or use the Clean Spooler tool utility, which allows you to clean up the driver repository and manage processes in the Task Manager.
Suspected Viruses
Now one more important point related to the operation of the spoolsv.exe service. An application error can be related to the penetration of viruses into the computer system that masquerade as this process. The most common and one of the most famous viruses of this type are Virus: DOS / Delall.H and Program: Win32 / C1.CN, which are distributed through DailyBooth.
In the "Task Manager", when submitting documents for printing, there should be only one spoolsv.exe process. If there are two or more, you can not doubt the presence of a malicious trojan. In this case, it is worth checking the system with some anti-virus software, and then look at the location of the main spoolsv.exe file (it should be located at C: \ Windows \ System 32 \ spoolsv.exe and nowhere else).
Conclusion
As you can see, there is nothing supernatural in the print error. Yes, and it can be eliminated in the most elementary way. The only thing I want to note: do not overload the system with a huge number of documents set for printing at the same time (on low-power terminals) and do not end the "Print Manager" in manual forced mode.