How to fix Error 61 on Windows 11

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Windows 11 Troubleshooting Guide: Error 61 – Printer Queue Full

Why This Error Happens

Error 61 typically occurs when the Print Spooler service (spoolsv.exe) becomes overloaded or corrupted, causing print jobs to stack up in the queue instead of processing normally. This often happens due to a stalled or corrupted print job at the front of the queue that blocks all subsequent jobs, insufficient permissions on the spooler’s working directory, or a conflict between the printer driver and the spooler service. In some cases, a full or corrupted spool folder (where temporary print files are stored) prevents the system from accepting new jobs, triggering the “queue full” error.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

  1. Stop the Print Spooler Service
  • Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  • Locate Print Spooler in the list, right-click it, and select Stop.
  1. Clear the Print Spool Folder
  • Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
  • Delete all files in this folder (these are the stuck/corrupted print jobs causing the backlog). You may need administrator permission to do this.
  1. Restart the Print Spooler Service
  • Go back to services.msc, right-click Print Spooler, and select Start.
  • Set the Startup type to Automatic if it isn’t already, to prevent future manual restarts.
  1. Check Printer Driver and Permissions
  • Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, and click Remove device.
  • Reinstall the printer using the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website (avoid generic Windows drivers if issues persist).
  • Ensure your user account has Full Control permissions on the C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS folder via right-click > Properties > Security tab.
  1. Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter
  • Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  • Click Run next to Printer and follow the prompts to detect and fix spooler-related issues automatically.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Verify the fix: Send a test print job (Settings > Printers & scanners > select printer > Print a test page). If it completes without errors and the queue shows no stuck jobs, the issue is resolved.
  • Alternative fix: If the error persists, try printing directly via USB (bypassing network/Wi-Fi drivers) to isolate whether the issue is spooler-related or connectivity-related.