Printer/Spooler problems – Windows 7 - Prints once only

Printer/Spooler problems – Windows 7 -> Prints first time – then never again until turned off!

In recent months my printer has developed an increasing reluctance to print. Currently, after printing once, it will generally react to a print instruction by whirring and what I assume is getting ready to pick up paper, but then does nothing until the computer is turned off when it will usually print, and may then often print again when the computer is restarted. The printer is a Lexmark Pro 705, but I think the problem is within Microsoft. Scanning and other communication is ok.

I have read the myriad solutions suggested, and tried them all. In general beyond the cancel or cancel all documents in the usual printer dialogue box; setting the default printer, sharing, etc., they suggest various combinations of going into the print spooler; stopping it and restarting; deleting files; turning printer and computer off and trying again. This will some times enable one print but then the problem is back. Cancelling/Deleting a stuck print job has never ever worked, I just get the ...deleting... message against the print job which will continue for hours until I turn the computer off.

Uninstalling and reinstalling the printer, update drivers; trying USB connection instead of just wireless will sometimes allow one print- then back to the stuck problem.

Even when there seem to be no print jobs in a queue or being deleted, turning off the computer can generate a print of something that seemed to have been cancelled.

The latest Word document to print was fairly typical – although nothing printed when turning off the computer, it printed when the computer came back on. I then tried again using the USB connection, and it worked again twice. I then tried a different word document through USB, it clicked, then stuck on the “printing” status with nothing happening. Next time it printed both when turned off and again when turned on; printed fine once [this time on network] then again stuck on “printing”.

There seems to be a missing link in the system, with something blocking further printing whether or not the dialogue box has something or nothing.

If I thought it was just the printer, I would now bin it and buy a new one as I have wasted many many hours trying to get it to work. However I suspect that it is something within the computer software at fault, so a new printer may not be a cure.

In my last effort, I couldn’t even print first time. The files in spooler [previously empty] were now two small SDH and Shockwave Flash Object.

Having deleted these, the print dialogue box still says it is printing. And nothing is happening.

Does anyone have any suggestions beyond what is generally on most forums as they have only ever provided a temporary cure, no better than turning everything off and on?

I am not very familiar with printers (haven't used one in 10 years plus) but maybe there is a new firmware for it?

Did you try printing from another PC?

Thanks GokAy for the comment. I had updated firmware - no difference. I have yet to try another computer as this would involve another network installation and I thought this might lead to even more confusion! If it worked ok, it would confirm that the problem is the computer not the printer, but wouldn't solve the problem?
Maybe I will try that if there are no other suggestions.

You could try downloading Linux Mint MATE and making a bootable DVD/USB. Boot with it (no installation needed) and see if it will print alright.

However, I have no idea if MATE will see and configure a printer (it is 1.6GB download and doesn't hurt to try I believe).

This is getting [probably] to the limit of my technical understanding and capabilities. In effect , I assume, you are suggesting a change in operating system. If it works, it would again prove it to be the computer/Windows 7 as the problem, but would not lead to a corrective cure.

However for some reason just now after my last post it seemed to print a second item ok - so I tried a third and that worked! So maybe it has cured itself, but I am not optimistic that the problem won't return and I can think of nothing different that would make it work other than I was using Internet Explorer as a browser whereas I usually use Chrome. I really can't think that could affect it.

It would rule out a faulty printer. And not a change of OS, it will run from the RAM and will not be saved anywhere.

How is it now? Does using Internet Explorer fix the issue?

I will need a little more time to try all that.

No - it is back to its old habits. It will print once then not again until turned off and turned on. It seems to print just one outstanding item when turned on, even though there is not printer symbol or print dialogue box. If there were two or more items awaiting print when turned off, on turning back on only one prints and any more just disappear.

Lets try this if you haven't already:

- Create a manual System Restore point - System Restore
- Remove all devices other than keyboard and mouse
- Uninstall printer driver and software
- Restart PC
- Run DriveCleanup as admin - Drive Tools for Windows
- Restart PC
- Scan files and registry with CCleaner free
- Restart PC
- Install your printer as instructed in its manual
- If you see any issues with your current working devices, restore to the Restore point.

** DriveCleanup is supposed to remove any and all drivers for unattached devices, so you will see them re-install upon attaching.