Sometimes our W2k3 Print Server loses sight of a printer and displays the 
following error:

"The print spooler was unable to connect to your printer. This can be caused 
by your printer being turned off, the cable being unplugged, or by being 
connected to a VPN, which will block your access to your local network. Your 
document will print when the printer becomes available."

The message stays on screen until manually cleared, it does not 
automatically clear when the printer comes back online.

From what i have read i should only need to clear the checkboxs in Print 
Server Properties, Advanced to stop this appearing but I still have the 
problem.

Can anyone suggest a way to make the error self clear?

Tip: Run a free scan for common Windows errors ad

re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 5:05 am Posted by NKP (1 messages posted) Hello, i have the same problem but i am having it on Win2k Please anybody suggest some solution to it. thanks. On Tuesday, August 2, 2005 at 2:16 am, Stevet wrote: >Sometimes our W2k3 Print Server loses sight of a printer and displays the >following error: > >"The print spooler was unable to connect to your printer. This can be caused >by your printer being turned off, the cable being unplugged, or by being >connected to a VPN, which will block your access to your local network. Your >document will print when the printer becomes available." > >The message stays on screen until manually cleared, it does not >automatically clear when the printer comes back online. > >From what i have read i should only need to clear the checkboxs in Print >Server Properties, Advanced to stop this appearing but I still have the >problem. > >Can anyone suggest a way to make the error self clear? [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 9:06 am Posted by luke gervase (1 messages posted) . On Tuesday, August 2, 2005 at 2:16 am, Stevet wrote: >Sometimes our W2k3 Print Server loses sight of a printer and displays the >following error: > >"The print spooler was unable to connect to your printer. This can be caused >by your printer being turned off, the cable being unplugged, or by being >connected to a VPN, which will block your access to your local network. Your >document will print when the printer becomes available." > >The message stays on screen until manually cleared, it does not >automatically clear when the printer comes back online. > >From what i have read i should only need to clear the checkboxs in Print >Server Properties, Advanced to stop this appearing but I still have the >problem. > >Can anyone suggest a way to make the error self clear? [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Monday, January 9, 2006 at 7:08 am Posted by Gerd Liebhardt (1 messages posted) I had this Error on a Windows 2003 Server. It was gone after I replaced the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with just a "Standard TCP/IP Port". [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 8:57 am Posted by Anthony Antkowiak (1 messages posted) THIS IS THE FIX and it is verified I also had this problem with my 2003 server... as soon as I replaced the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" on all my print queues everthing was fine... Our server has been up and running for almost 3 weeks now without this error cropping up... Try this...it works On Monday, January 9, 2006 at 7:08 am, Gerd Liebhardt wrote: >I had this Error on a Windows 2003 Server. It was gone after I replaced the "HP Standard >TCP/IP Port" with just a "Standard TCP/IP Port". [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Saturday, May 27, 2006 at 1:09 pm Posted by jim (1 messages posted) When attempting to print, the following error message displays: The print spooler was unable to connect to your printer. This can be caused by your printer being turned off, the cable being unplugged, or being connected to a VPN, which will block your access to your local network. Your document will print when the printer becomes available. Solution A third-party firewall program is blocking the print spooler service. Unblock the print spooler by following the instructions for your firewall program below. If your firewall program is not listed, contact the manufacturer of the firewall for instructions. McAfee Personal Firewall Plus 2005 Version 6.0 Open McAfee Security Center by double-clicking on the M icon in the notification area. On the left column, click personal firewall+ Under I want to... click View the Internet Applications list. Look for the Spooler Subsystem App spoolsv.exe application in the list. Right-click it and select Allow Full Access. Norton Internet Security 2005 / Norton Personal Firewall Open Norton Internet Security or Norton Personal Firewall. Click Personal Firewall. Click Configure. On the Programs tab, find the Spooler Subsystem App spoolsv.exe application in the list and change the Internet Access status to Permit All. Click OK. Close Norton Internet Security or Norton Personal Firewall. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 4:17 pm Posted by phyl (1 messages posted) I also have this error message & HP gave me a quick fix that didn't work & then tried to say it was microsoft issue, but it only happens with one printer out of three connected. On Tuesday, August 2, 2005 at 2:16 am, Stevet wrote: >Sometimes our W2k3 Print Server loses sight of a printer and displays the >following error: > >"The print spooler was unable to connect to your printer. This can be caused >by your printer being turned off, the cable being unplugged, or by being >connected to a VPN, which will block your access to your local network. Your >document will print when the printer becomes available." > >The message stays on screen until manually cleared, it does not >automatically clear when the printer comes back online. > >From what i have read i should only need to clear the checkboxs in Print >Server Properties, Advanced to stop this appearing but I still have the >problem. > >Can anyone suggest a way to make the error self clear? [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Monday, August 21, 2006 at 6:47 am Posted by Krystyna (1 messages posted) I have the same problem with my 2003 server. However I have Ricoh and HP printers and only Ricoh printers experiencing that issue, (all of them are connected with "Standard TCP/IP Port"). HP printers are connected with "HP Standard TCP/IP Port". Do you think changing ports for HP printers to Standard TCP/IP Port will resolve this issue for Ricoh printers? On Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 8:57 am, Anthony Antkowiak wrote: >THIS IS THE FIX and it is verified >I also had this problem with my 2003 server... >as soon as I replaced the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" >on all my print queues everthing was fine... >Our server has been up and running for almost 3 weeks now without this error cropping >up... > >Try this...it works > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 1:04 am Posted by adam (2 messages posted) hi, do you have any solution?. i have 179 printers on a windows 2k server On Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 5:05 am, NKP wrote: >Hello, >i have the same problem but i am having it on Win2k >Please anybody suggest some solution to it. >thanks. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 6:21 pm Posted by adam (2 messages posted) but i do have lots of printers in the server, how do i know which printer to change the properties? On Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 8:57 am, Anthony Antkowiak wrote: >THIS IS THE FIX and it is verified >I also had this problem with my 2003 server... >as soon as I replaced the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" >on all my print queues everthing was fine... >Our server has been up and running for almost 3 weeks now without this error cropping >up... > >Try this...it works > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 2:05 am Posted by James scammell (1 messages posted) Hi there, this fix does without a doubt work, but you will have to do it with all your printers its highly unlikely that its the same printer consistantly causing the problem, so sadly you will have to do it to them all i had to do approx 40 but its worth it when the users you support arnt nagging, after so less headache all round. On Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 6:21 pm, adam wrote: >but i do have lots of printers in the server, how do i know which printer to change >the properties? > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 11:40 am Posted by Charles Brunelle (1 messages posted) I was able to reproduce the problem. If the printer is shutdown or the network connection is lost and someone sents a document to the server, you will get the message on ANY port that is not standard tcp/ip. This IS a Microsoft problem. It only happened after upgrading to Server 2003. The fix to change all ports to the (microsoft) Standard TCP/IP does work. When the message pops up on the server, it stops ALL printing. This is not acceptable! Luckly, I only had about 50 ports to change. The more I look at this problem, the more it feels like fail by design. Just another more by Microsoft to weed out 3rd party vendors. I have been using the HP Standard TCP/IP for years and it was working fine until now. On Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 2:05 am, James scammell wrote: >Hi there, > >this fix does without a doubt work, but you will have to do it with all your printers >its highly unlikely that its the same printer consistantly causing the problem, so >sadly you will have to do it to them all i had to do approx 40 but its worth it when >the users you support arnt nagging, after so less headache all round. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Friday, March 2, 2007 at 2:36 pm Posted by J (1 messages posted) No, this is NOT a Microsoft mitigated problem. Just because things have been working FINE in Windows 2000 does not mean migration to 2003 will be the same. Print subsystem CHANGED from Windows 2000 to 2003 just as it did from Windows NT to 2000. HP has NOT modified the HP TCP/IP Port to adapt to these changes. Furthermore, most HP installs also put in print monitors which ASSUME you are at the console. THIS is unacceptable. It is the VENDOR which needs to make the change. How do we know? HP has CLEAN (read: no stupid monitors/processors) drivers for commonly used enterprise printers at http://hp.com/pond/pnp. Next time, do you homework before blathering about the OS. While I am not an MS fanatic, my pet peeve are those that blame whatever vendor is convenient before researching the issue. Lastly, do you know how to install print drivers for a print server? Simply put, it should be done via Printers and Faxes / FILE / SERVER PROPERTIES. It is appalling that rarely do 'qualified admins' do this even though it is clearly noted in server deployment whitepapers. If people in general followed instructions, then there wouldn't be so many issues... but that's another story. On Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 11:40 am, Charles Brunelle wrote: >I was able to reproduce the problem. If the printer is shutdown or the network connection >is lost and someone sents a document to the server, you will get the message on ANY >port that is not standard tcp/ip. This IS a Microsoft problem. It only happened after >upgrading to Server 2003. The fix to change all ports to the (microsoft) Standard >TCP/IP does work. When the message pops up on the server, it stops ALL printing. >This is not acceptable! Luckly, I only had about 50 ports to change. The more I look >at this problem, the more it feels like fail by design. Just another more by Microsoft >to weed out 3rd party vendors. I have been using the HP Standard TCP/IP for years >and it was working fine until now. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Monday, March 12, 2007 at 6:08 am Posted by JonT (1 messages posted) We're running a couple of HP LaserJet 5Si's which produce this error message when users try to delete a job already queued - no other time do we get the error. I've changed the affected port as suggested and the printer refuses to print anything, even after a reboot of the print server. So my question is, did anyone reinstall print drivers after changing the Port specs? Cheers, Jon On Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 8:57 am, Anthony Antkowiak wrote: >THIS IS THE FIX and it is verified >I also had this problem with my 2003 server... >as soon as I replaced the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" >on all my print queues everthing was fine... >Our server has been up and running for almost 3 weeks now without this error cropping >up... > >Try this...it works > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Friday, June 15, 2007 at 8:50 pm Posted by Roy (2 messages posted) I had this same error using HP Photosmart 2700 series and it seems to have been caused by a power outage I had 2 days ago. This is the first time I have tried printing since then. I read the earlier posts on this thread and I replaced the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" as many have suggested. This worked like a charm. I don't know what functions I will lose by doing this, if any, but for now, I am satisfied. Thanks! BTW, I am using Windows XP Pro SP2. I ran a search for the error using Google and ended up on this forum which is why I am posting here. On Monday, March 12, 2007 at 5:08 am, JonT wrote: >We're running a couple of HP LaserJet 5Si's which produce this error message when >users try to delete a job already queued - no other time do we get the error. > >I've changed the affected port as suggested and the printer refuses to print anything, >even after a reboot of the print server. So my question is, did anyone reinstall >print drivers after changing the Port specs? > >Cheers, > >Jon > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 5:59 am Posted by Ron Witte (1 messages posted) Thanks for your advice on this issue -- it worked perfectly. Very helpful to have a site like this with contributions such as your's. Thanks again, Ron On Monday, January 9, 2006 at 7:08 am, Gerd Liebhardt wrote: >I had this Error on a Windows 2003 Server. It was gone after I replaced the "HP Standard >TCP/IP Port" with just a "Standard TCP/IP Port". [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 3:29 am Posted by Fred Moller (1 messages posted) I had the same problem with a HP Color LaserJet 2840 setup with a dynamic IP address, using the printer name with the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port". After looking at this thread, I did some investigation and found that the installation had placed an entry into my HOST file, with the printer name and IP address in it. Apparently it seems that the DHCP had re-assigned it's IP address, resulting in the afore mentioned message appearing. Once I remarked the entry, from the HOST file, the message dissapeared and the problem was solved. I have posted my findings here for those who may choose the "Standard Port" solution with a dynamic IP setup. They may find that the problem may occur again, when their IP has been re-assigned. It seems ridicules to me, why they hard code the IP address into the HOST file, whilst allowing you to use a dynamic IP allocation for your printer. On Friday, June 15, 2007 at 8:50 pm, Roy wrote: >I had this same error using HP Photosmart 2700 series and it seems to have been caused >by a power outage I had 2 days ago. This is the first time I have tried printing >since then. I read the earlier posts on this thread and I replaced the "HP Standard >TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" as many have suggested. This worked >like a charm. I don't know what functions I will lose by doing this, if any, but >for now, I am satisfied. Thanks! BTW, I am using Windows XP Pro SP2. I ran a search >for the error using Google and ended up on this forum which is why I am posting here. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at 4:36 am Posted by Valerie (1 messages posted) How do I replace the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" on all my print queues? On Friday, June 15, 2007 at 8:50 pm, Roy wrote: >I had this same error using HP Photosmart 2700 series and it seems to have been caused by a power outage I had 2 days ago. This is the first time I have tried printing since then. I read the earlier posts on this thread and I replaced the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" as many have suggested. This worked like a charm. I don't know what functions I will lose by doing this, if any, but for now, I am satisfied. Thanks! BTW, I am using Windows XP Pro SP2. I ran a search for the error using Google and ended up on this forum which is why I am posting here. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at 7:56 am Posted by Roy (2 messages posted) First, you must know what your IP address is for your printer(s) prior to setting up your ports. Also, make sure your printer(s) are turned on. Go to your printers and faxes area and right click onto the printer you wish to change and then go to it's properties. Click on the Ports tab and then click the Add Port button. Choose the Standard TCP/IP Port option from the list shown and then click the New Port button. The Port Wizard will start. Click Next, then where it asks for Printer Name or IP Address, just type in the IP Address and the Port Name area will fill in automatically. Click Next and it should find your printer and set it up as Standard. Hope this helps. On Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at 4:36 am, Valerie wrote: >How do I replace the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" on >all my print queues? > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Friday, July 27, 2007 at 5:56 pm Posted by Linda M (1 messages posted) Thank you all! I have also been having trouble, suddenly, with that print spooler message. Last week I could print wirelessly from my laptop, then all of a sudden I couldn't. I'm running XP on all our desktops and my laptop, and we share an HP color laserjet 3600n. As soon as I clicked ok for the new port (without that dreaded "HP") I could hear my printer start printing!!! It's just a home network, but it sure is convenient to be able to print when I want to. Thanks to everyone. :> On Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at 7:56 am, Roy wrote: >First, you must know what your IP address is for your printer(s) prior to setting >up your ports. Also, make sure your printer(s) are turned on. Go to your printers >and faxes area and right click onto the printer you wish to change and then go to >it's properties. Click on the Ports tab and then click the Add Port button. Choose >the Standard TCP/IP Port option from the list shown and then click the New Port button. > The Port Wizard will start. Click Next, then where it asks for Printer Name or >IP Address, just type in the IP Address and the Port Name area will fill in automatically. > Click Next and it should find your printer and set it up as Standard. Hope this >helps. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 1:39 pm Posted by Peter Flemming (1 messages posted) I tried to change to a standard port but it did not allow the IP address that was already there. I had to set an LP1 address ; then I could delete the TP/IP Address for the HP. I then tried to add a 'standard' port' but for some reason it did not like a duplicate address. Since I am just a home computer retired-guy I figured I would leave it for a paid-geek. If I could just change the port without having to delete the address this would be ok. This whole thing started yesterday on both my wife's and boarder's laptops. I checked their IPCONFIG addresses & made sure that my Norton firewall accepted them. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 11:40 pm Posted by ICT_ADMIN (1 messages posted) Hi, My problem is we are having a small network with one network printers and 12 locally installed HP 3600 Colour Laserjet printers. The machines which are having local printers installed are giving spoolsv.exe memory error. We are running Win2k3 server with winXP on workstations. Can anyone suggest a solution in this context as on local printers there is no TCP/IP Port or IP address? On Friday, July 27, 2007 at 5:56 pm, Linda M wrote: >Thank you all! I have also been having trouble, suddenly, with that print spooler >message. Last week I could print wirelessly from my laptop, then all of a sudden >I couldn't. I'm running XP on all our desktops and my laptop, and we share an HP >color laserjet 3600n. As soon as I clicked ok for the new port (without that dreaded >"HP") I could hear my printer start printing!!! It's just a home network, but it >sure is convenient to be able to print when I want to. Thanks to everyone. :> > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] win32 server spoolsv.exe error message Friday, November 7, 2008 at 2:20 pm Posted by Linux lover (2 messages posted) I get the following error on my windows2003 server at least 3 times a day. we user our printers mostly from remote desktop connection. I just have restart the service. i have cleared the windows/system32/spool/printer directory. "Spooler subsystem app encountered a problem and needed to close. and more info is:appname= spoolsv.exe szappver = 5.2.3790.1830 szModname = ntdll.dll offset = 0002f583 i would appreciate it very much. I have noticed there are many corporations with the same problem. I have installe d the patch by microsoft in 2007 and it DID NOT work. so i had to rollback the patch. your help would be appreciated. Linux Lover [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 6:22 am Posted by Shermarama (1 messages posted) I have tried doing this and the Port Wizard can't find the printer. There are several other people in my office printing successfully using the same printer and using the same IP address as the printer gives in a network report, so I know the address is right but the Port Wizard says it can't find the device. I've been unable to print since my network cable got plugged into a different port than the one it used to use - all other network functions work via that port, but not printing for some reason. There are no other ports I can use - does anyone have any further idea on how to make this one work? On Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at 7:56 am, Roy wrote: >First, you must know what your IP address is for your printer(s) prior to setting >up your ports. Also, make sure your printer(s) are turned on. Go to your printers >and faxes area and right click onto the printer you wish to change and then go to >it's properties. Click on the Ports tab and then click the Add Port button. Choose >the Standard TCP/IP Port option from the list shown and then click the New Port button. > The Port Wizard will start. Click Next, then where it asks for Printer Name or >IP Address, just type in the IP Address and the Port Name area will fill in automatically. > Click Next and it should find your printer and set it up as Standard. Hope this >helps. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 8:10 pm Posted by Lily (1 messages posted) I get this error message sometimes with my wirelessly networked HP 2570 printer. The fix for me was unplugging and repowering the printer. On Monday, August 21, 2006 at 6:47 am, Krystyna wrote: >I have the same problem with my 2003 server. However I have Ricoh and HP printers >and only Ricoh printers experiencing that issue, (all of them are connected with >"Standard TCP/IP Port"). HP printers are connected with "HP Standard TCP/IP Port". >Do you think changing ports for HP printers to Standard TCP/IP Port will resolve >this issue for Ricoh printers? > > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Print Spooler error messages - how to disable Friday, April 3, 2009 at 2:30 pm Posted by Erik Q (1 messages posted) YES. THIS POST IS ACCURATE. NO OTHER FIX DID IT FOR ME, BUT THIS WORKS... ...go to Printers from Control Panel. Right click-->Properties on the Printer having the issue. Go to Ports Tab, add Port. Choose "Standard TCP/IP Port" and click "New Port...". Click Next, then enter the IP address of your printer, then Finish. Click Close. Ensure that the checked row has a description of "Standard TCP/IP Port", not "HP Standard TCP/I...". Click Apply and Close, and you're good to go! On Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 8:57 am, Anthony Antkowiak wrote: >THIS IS THE FIX and it is verified >I also had this problem with my 2003 server... >as soon as I replaced the "HP Standard TCP/IP Port" with the "Standard TCP/IP Port" >on all my print queues everthing was fine... >Our server has been up and running for almost 3 weeks now without this error cropping >up... > >Try this...it works > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] Tip: Use one of the [Reply or follow-up to this message] links above to add a message to this thread Search this forum Start a new thread on a different subject Report abuse of the forum Return to the Windows Server 2003 Discussion Forum