How to Completely Clear the Print Queue in Windows 10 and Windows 11

If print jobs are stuck and will not clear from the queue, follow the steps below to fully reset the print queue and remove blocked documents. These instructions work for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Note: The process is the same in both versions of Windows. The main difference is where you find Printers & scanners in the Settings menu.

Step 1: Close All Programs You Are Printing From

Close Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, your web browser, Microsoft Word, or any other program that may still be sending a print job.

Step 2: Open Printer Settings

Select the path below based on the version of Windows you are using:

Windows 10

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Click Devices.
  4. Select Printers & scanners.

Windows 11

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Click Bluetooth & devices.
  4. Select Printers & scanners.

Step 3: Open the Printer Queue

  1. Click the printer that is having the issue.
  2. Select Open print queue.

Step 4: Try Canceling the Jobs Normally

  1. In the print queue window, click Printer in the top menu.
  2. Click Cancel All Documents.
  3. Wait about 30 seconds to see if the jobs disappear.

Step 5: Stop the Print Spooler Service

  1. Press Windows key + R.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. In the Services window, scroll down to Print Spooler.
  4. Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.

Step 6: Delete the Stuck Print Files

  1. Press Windows key + R.
  2. Type or paste C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and press Enter.
  3. If Windows asks for permission, click Continue.
  4. Delete all files inside the PRINTERS folder.
  5. Do not delete the folder itself. Only delete the files inside it.

Step 7: Start the Print Spooler Service Again

  1. Return to the Services window.
  2. Right-click Print Spooler.
  3. Select Start.

Step 8: Restart the Printer

  1. Turn the printer off.
  2. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds.
  3. Plug it back in.
  4. Turn it back on.

Step 9: Restart the Computer

Restart the computer to make sure the spooler service and printer connection reset completely.

Step 10: Print a Test Page

After the computer restarts, try printing a small test page first to confirm the issue is resolved.

Alternative Method: Clear the Print Queue Using Command Prompt

If Windows will not let you delete the files manually, use the Command Prompt method below. This works in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type cmd.
  3. Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
  4. Enter the following commands one at a time:
net stop spooler
del /q /f /s "%systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*"
net start spooler

After running the commands, restart the printer and try printing again.

Troubleshooting Note

If print jobs continue to return after clearing the queue, the problem may be caused by a corrupted document, an outdated print driver, another computer still sending the stuck print job to the printer or a computer hardware issue.