Can't delete document from network print queue.

[PegS1]

We are printing to an HP LaserJet 5 using Windows XP.  2 jobs are hung up in the print queue. I have tried deleting on the control panel multiple times and it just shows "deleting - printed" and "deleting - printing" as the status.  They have been there since yesterday and we can't print around them. When I try to delete  at the printer itself, it shows no jobs in the queue. I accessed another forum post on this topic that advised going into the print spooler, which I did, but then couldn't execute the second half of the suggestion to browse for the print jobs.  This is a network printer.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[8lives]

PegS1, copy & save the following text using Notepad.

[PegS1]

Thank you for the quick response.  I'm afraid I don't know how to save to Notepad as a .bat file or otherwise, nor do I know how to execute it.  Could I trouble you for the "Solutions for Dummies" version?  Thank you.

[8lives]

Ok, second option go to this site and Download Now a program called Stalled Printer Repair.

Save this program to your desktop.

Run this program by double clicking on the file saved with your mouse.

[PegS1]

I downloaded the program and it executed but said it couldn't detect any files. Could the problem be that the program is looking in the c:\\WINDOWS\system32\spool\PRINTERS file and this is a network printer?  Our file server address is the F drive, but I couldn't find a windows\system32 file on there.

[8lives]

Are you running a network server?

If yes, then your network administrator will be able to clear the print queue in Windows.

[PegS1]

Yeah, well, that would be me.  This is just a little, 4-person shop.

[8lives]

In order to get the printing services back up and running, follow these steps:
1. Go to Start, Control Panel and Administrative Tools.

    Double click on Services icon.
2. Scroll down to the Print Spooler service and right click on it and select Stop.
     In order to do this, you need to be logged in as Administrator.
     At this point, no one will be able to print anything on any of the printers that are being hosted on this server.
3. Next you need to go to the following directory: C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
    Delete all the files in this folder.
    This will clear all print queues
4. Now you can go back to the Services console and right-click and choose Start for the Print Spooler service!

[PegS1 · Accepted solution]

Thank you!   The problem was I needed to go to the file server to perform that function - my brain wasn't getting that fact.  It worked - thanks so much for your help.

[shonny]

Thnks for the fix