"The Print Subsystem Is Unavailable" Error Message After Installing Office 2000 (244921)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
This article was previously published under Q244921

SYMPTOMS

After you install Microsoft Office 2000 in Windows 2000, you may receive the following error message in certain situations and custom installations when you attempt any printing action:
The Print Subsystem is unavailable.
Also, printers in the Printers folder may display an "Unable to connect" status.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because Office 2000 Setup stops the print spooler at certain points during the installation process. When the fax driver for Microsoft Outlook 2000 is installed, the spooler is stopped and may not be restarted.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, start the print spooler. To do so, type net start spooler at a command prompt, or start the service under Services in Computer Management.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Office 2000.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/21/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb kbsetup KB244921
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.