More on dealing with problem print jobs
If the previous tip does not clear up a stuck print job, here are some additional steps to take. As indicated before, first stop the printer spooler service by entering into the command line ” sc stop spooler”. Next, delete the job from the spooler by going to the folder Windows\system32\spool and delete any files (but not folders). Also go to the folder Windows\system32\spool\printers and delete any files. Then go back to the command prompt and enter “sc start spooler”. This tip applies to Windows XP.
Incidentally, you can also open the “spool” folder by just entering “spool” into the Start-Run line. Also, the commands, “net stop spooler”, and “net start spooler”, work the same as those using the the “sc” command. More details on the Run line and on various uses of the command line are at my site commandwindows.com.
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Comments
There are always multiple ways to do almost anything in Windows. Your suggestion certainly often works and is worth trying. However, my experience is that the printer is often still stuck after trying to cancel a print job that way. I have had it happen that the only way I could clear up a problem was to manually delete the print job as described. Nothing wrong with trying your suggested procedure first, however.
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How is this superior to: Start > Printers and Faxes > right-click on active printer > Cancer all Documents?