"Operation could not be completed" error message when you use the Add Printer Wizard (314876)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
This article was previously published under Q314876

SYMPTOMS

When you create a printer (either a local printer or a remote network printer) by using the Add Printer Wizard, you may receive the following error message:
Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running.

CAUSE

This error occurs because the Spooler service has not been started or has stopped working. To start the Spooler service, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
  3. Double-click the Printer Spooler service, and then change the startup type to Automatic. This sets the Spooler service to start automatically when you restart the computer.
  4. If you want to start the spooler service immediately, click the Start button under the Service Status field.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

You can also start the Spooler service by typing net start spooler in the Run dialog box.


For the Windows 2000 version of this article, refer to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

158042 "Operation could not be completed" when using Add Printer Wizard

For additional information about how to troubleshoot issues with printing, refer to the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

308028 Resources for troubleshooting printing problems in Windows XP

314085 Troubleshooting general printing problems in Windows XP

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/15/2006
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb kbprint KB314876
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