How to Clear Print Queue in Windows Easily

If you are using a printer, there can be situations where it gets hanged. This situation can arise due to a number of corrupt print requests. In such situations, you need to clear the print queue on your Windows PC before making a fresh request.

Thus, here we are with some of the best methods which you can use to clear your print queue.

How to Clear Print Queue on Windows?

Method 1: Clear the Print Queue through Control Panel.

Step 1- Launch ‘Control Panel‘ on your Windows PC.

Step 2- Here, search for the ‘Devices and Printers option and click on it.

Step 3- In the Devices and Printers window, right-click on the printer whose queue you wish to clear and select ‘See what’s printing from the drop-down box.

Step 4- You will get a list of all the print requests in a queue. Right-click on each and every print request and select ‘Cancel‘ from the drop-down box.

You can cancel all the requests at once by clicking on Printer >> Cancel All Documents on the same window. The Printer option is located at the top left corner of the window.

If you are unable to clear the print queue by following this method, go to the next method listed below.

Method 2: Clear the Print Queue Using Command Prompt.

Step 1- Launch ‘Command Prompt‘ on your Windows PC as an administrator.

Step 2- Type ‘net stop spooler in this window and hit Enter.

Step 3- Now, type ‘del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\* /Q‘ and hit Enter.

Step 4- Then, type ‘net start spooler in the same window and hit Enter.

Step 5- Exit the command prompt on your Windows PC.

The print list on your Windows PC should now be cleared. If not, try using the method listed below.

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Method 3: Clear the Print Queue Using Run.

Step 1- Launch ‘Run‘ on your Windows PC by simultaneously pressing the Windows and R keys on your keyboard.

Step 2- Type ‘services.msc‘ in the text box and hit Enter.

Step 3- A list containing all the services on your Windows PC will appear on your screen. Search for ‘Print Spooler‘ and right-click on it.

Step 4- Now, select ‘stop‘ from the drop-down box.

Step 5- Navigate to the location listed below.

C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.

Step 6- Select and delete all the files visible in this folder.

Step 7- Now, go back to the Services window by repeating steps 1, step 2, and step 3.

Step 8- Select ‘Start‘ from the drop-down box of the ‘Print Spooler‘ service.

Now that the print queue is cleared on your Windows PC, you can make a fresh print request.

Some Frequently Asked Questions include:

Q1. Why is my printer not printing?

If your print queue is filled with corrupt print requests, the printer will be unable to print any of the requests made by you. In such a case, you need to clear your print queue and make a fresh print request.

Q2. How to clear Print Queue?

There are several methods that you can use to clear the print queue on your PC. Some of the best methods have been listed above. The steps involved in these methods are easy to understand and execute.

Q3. What should I do if Print Queue is not getting cleared?

If you have executed all the above-listed methods but unable to clear the print queue on your Windows PC, you might need to update your printer drivers or get your printer checked by its manufacturer.

Q4. What is Print Queue on Windows?

Whenever you command your Windows PC to print a particular file, it gets added to a list. If you add multiple files to this list, they are arranged in a queue. This queue is known as the Print Queue on Windows PC.

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Conclusion:

These are some of the easiest methods which you can use to clear the print queue on your Windows 10/8/7 PC. The steps involved in these methods are easy to understand and execute.

If none of the above-listed methods help you in clearing the print queue on your Windows PC, then you might need to update your printer drivers or get your printer checked out by its manufacturer. If we have missed out on any such method to clear the print queue on Windows, then please let us know about it in the comments section below.