Symtoms:

  • Slow or unresponsive Windows XP system.
  • SPOOLSV.EXE high CPU usage (90-100%)

Cause:

  • Print spool service hung on a corrupted file stored in a temporary printer queue directory.

Resolution:

  1. Restart the Windows XP workstation.
  2. Log into the workstation with an Administrative account.
  3. Delete the contents of the following directory:
    1. c:\windows\system32\spool\Printers\
  4. Restart the print spooler service (and or the entire workstation).

Anyone managing a group of Windows XP workstations noticing SPOOLSV.EXE hogging the CPU from task manager should give this a try.