Some 64-bit printer drivers have issues that might cause you to get error messages saying one of these things:
- Thunking Spooler APIs From 32 to 64 Process Has Stopped Working
- Spooler Subsystem App Has Stopped Working
I have ran into this issue a couple times already on Windows Vista x64, and both times it was pretty painful finding instructions that actually fixed it. So, I wanted to post them here. It seems like a lot of steps, but it is pretty quick ... and seriously this will work. These are based on a post on the TechNet forum.
- If you have Acrobat, uninstall it.
- Reboot into SAFE mode.
- Delete all of the files in these folders:
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\x64\
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\W32X86\
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
- Open Regedit, and make a backup of the registry
- Delete all subkeys (folders) in these locations:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows x6\Drivers
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows x64\Print Processors
- Close registry & reboot
- Go to Control Panel > Turn Windows features on or off, uncheck Windows Fax and Scan & reboot
- (Optional) If you actually use the "Windows Fax and Scan" stuff, you can go back into Control Panel > Turn Windows features on or off, re-enable Windows Fax and Scan, & reboot.
At this point you should have a stable print spooler.
To add your printers back in, get the absolute latest printer driver from your manufacturer's website (that supports the 64-bit version of Windows you are using). Add each printer one at a time (rebooting and printing a test page in-between).