Solutions
1. Restart Print Spooler Service
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Scroll to Print Spooler, right-click → Restart.
- Ensure its startup type is set to Automatic.
2. Clear Print Queue
Navigate to:
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
Delete all files in this folder (requires admin access).
Then restart the Print Spooler as above.
3. Reinstall or Update Printer Drivers
- Press Win + X → Device Manager
- Expand Print queues → Right-click your printer → Uninstall device
Then visit the printer manufacturer's website to download the latest drivers.
Install manually or via Windows Update.
4. Run Printer Troubleshooter
- Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners
- Select your printer → Click Manage → Run the troubleshooter
Let Windows detect and automatically fix driver or communication issues.
5. Check Printer Connection
Ensure the printer has paper and is connected properly via USB or network.
Reconnect cables or try a different port. If using Wi-Fi, reconfigure printer on the network.
6. Perform Clean Boot
- Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Go to Services → Check Hide all Microsoft services → Click Disable all
- Go to Startup tab → Open Task Manager → Disable all items.
- Restart the system and try printing again.
7. Run System File Checker
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator, run:
sfc /scannow
- If integrity issues are found, follow with:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Then restart your PC.
8. Perform System Restore
If the problem started recently:
- Go to Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore
- Choose a restore point from before the issue appeared.
- Follow the prompts to complete the process.
Final Thoughts
The 0x0000001C BSOD is a critical error tied to printer driver misbehavior or spooler service instability, often hidden behind simple printer issues like "out of paper."
While it may seem like a hardware-related inconvenience, this error typically stems from software faults that require immediate attention to prevent further crashes or printing failures.
Consistent BSODs related to printing should prompt a full driver reinstallation and spooler service inspection. In extreme cases, replacing the printer or its connection interface (USB/port) may be necessary.