Clear a stuck print queue by stopping the print service and deleting the queue files

When a print job gets stuck, your printer won't respond to new commands until you clear it out. The print queue — the list of jobs waiting to print — lives in your operating system's memory. You can't always delete it through the printer settings alone, so you need to stop the service that manages printing, then delete the queue files directly. The steps differ between Windows and Mac, but both take about five minutes.

A stuck queue usually happens when a document fails to send completely, the printer loses power mid-job, or the connection drops. Your computer keeps trying to send that broken job, blocking everything else. Restarting the printer alone won't fix it — you have to clear the queue on your computer's side.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, you stop the Print Spooler service through Services, then delete files in the System32 folder.
  • On Mac, you open System Settings, find Printers & Scanners, and remove the printer, then restart the print service.
  • If you cannot find the Services app on Windows, search for "services.msc" in the search box.
  • After clearing the queue, restart your computer to make sure the print service starts cleanly.

Clear the print queue on Windows 10 or 11

Step 1: Open Services. Right-click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left), then click "Run". Type services.msc and press Enter. A window titled "Services" will open. This is where Windows manages background tasks, including printing.

Step 2: Find and stop the Print Spooler. Look for "Print Spooler" in the list. It will be alphabetical, so scroll down to the P section. Right-click "Print Spooler" and select "Stop". The status will change from "Running" to blank. Wait a few seconds for it to fully stop.

Step 3: Delete the queue files. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. If the folder is empty, your queue was already clear. If there are files inside, select all of them (Ctrl+A), then press Delete. These are the stuck print jobs. Do not worry about deleting them — they are corrupted and will not print anyway.

Step 4: Restart the Print Spooler. Go back to the Services window. Right-click "Print Spooler" again and select "Start". The status will change back to "Running". Close the Services window.

Step 5: Restart your computer. This ensures the print service loads cleanly. After restart, try printing a test page to confirm the queue is working.

Clear the print queue on Mac

Step 1: Open System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select "System Settings". On older Macs running Monterey or earlier, this is called "System Preferences".

Step 2: Go to Printers & Scanners. Click "Printers & Scanners" in the sidebar. You will see a list of printers connected to your Mac. Look for the printer with the stuck job.

Step 3: Remove the printer. Click the printer name to select it, then click the minus button (−) below the list. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click "Remove" to confirm. This removes the printer from your system temporarily.

Step 4: Restart the print service. Open Terminal (search for "Terminal" in Spotlight). Copy and paste this command exactly: launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd and press Enter. Wait five seconds, then paste this command: launchctl start org.cups.cupsd and press Enter again. This restarts the printing service.

Step 5: Add the printer back. Go back to System Settings and Printers & Scanners. Click the plus button (+) and select your printer from the list. If your printer does not appear, make sure it is powered on and connected to the same network as your Mac.

What to do if the queue is still stuck after these steps

If print jobs still will not go through, the problem may be with the printer itself rather than the queue. Power off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, then power it back on. This clears the printer's internal memory.

If you are using a network printer (one shared across multiple computers), check whether another computer on the network has a stuck job. Ask other users to clear their queues using the same steps above. Network printers can hold jobs from any connected computer.

If the printer is very old or uses outdated drivers, the queue may get stuck repeatedly. Check the printer manufacturer's website for updated drivers for your operating system. Outdated drivers often cause communication errors that jam the queue.

Prevent future stuck queues

Most stuck queues happen when you cancel a print job while it is sending. Instead of canceling mid-job, wait for the job to finish or fail on its own, then remove it from the queue. If a job is taking too long, restart the printer first, then clear the queue — do not just yank the power cord.

Keep your printer drivers current. Check the manufacturer's support page every few months for updates. Outdated drivers are one of the most common causes of stuck jobs. Also, if you print over a network, keep your Wi-Fi connection stable — a dropped connection mid-job is a common culprit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting the queue files damage my printer?

No. The queue files live on your computer, not on the printer. Deleting them only removes the stuck jobs from your computer's memory. The printer itself is not affected. You can safely delete any file in the PRINTERS folder without harming your printer.

Do I need to restart my computer after clearing the queue?

It is not always required, but restarting ensures the print service loads cleanly and catches any leftover queue data. If you do not restart and printing still does not work, restart then and try again. A restart takes a few minutes and solves most remaining issues.

What if I cannot find the PRINTERS folder on Windows?

Make sure you stopped the Print Spooler first — Windows hides the folder while the service is running. Also check that you are looking in the right place: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. If the path does not exist, your queue was already empty.

Can I clear the queue without restarting the Print Spooler?

No. The Print Spooler must be stopped before you can delete the queue files. While the service is running, Windows locks those files so you cannot modify them. Stopping the service takes only a few seconds.

Why does my queue get stuck every time I print?

This usually means your printer driver is outdated or your printer is not communicating properly with your computer. Visit the printer manufacturer's website and download the latest driver for your operating system. If the problem continues after updating, the printer may have a hardware fault and need service.