Printers have limited memory compared to computers, which means they can struggle to handle many print requests simultaneously. So, if you were to send a large number of print commands to the printer at once, it could overwhelm the printer’s memory, and the printer might stop responding.
But modern-day printers work differently. Windows computers have a dedicated printing service calledprint spooler servicewhich spools or holds the new print jobs until the older print jobs pending in the queue are completed. Once the pending print jobs are completed, the spooler sends the new print requests to the printer.
What Does Spooling Do?
Spooling is an intermediate process of storing the print jobs in a queue or buffer by an intermediate agent—a print spooler.
The print spooler service stores all the print requests in a queue and feeds them to the printer on FCFS (First Come First Serve) basis. This way, the printer does not get stuck due to multiple print commands and can handle print requests efficiently.
The print spooler service creates temporary print files and stores them in a folder before they get into the printer. Such temporary files are stored in a.SHDand.SPLextension inside a spooler cache inC:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
If the size of these files exceeds the printer’s memory capacity, you will see a “Spooling” status on the print queue panel whenever you send a new print request.
It indicates that a print job is currently being executed, so you have to wait till that job completes before the newer print job in the queue can execute.
How is Spooling Helpful?
Spooling is helpful in many regards. With it, you don’t even have to wait a few seconds to send a new print request to your printer. you may continuously give print commands, no matter whether the previous print job is completed or not.
It also gives the flexibility of pausing orcanceling the unwanted documents in the queue, so the print jobs do not get into the printer.
Similarly, spooling also prevents the printer with a low memory capacity from being filled up. It provides temporary storage for documents that have a size larger than the size of the printer’s memory.
Moreover, if you are using a shared printer over the network, the printer gets a bunch of print requests from multiple devices in the network that may clog the printer’s memory. So, a print spooler service is vital to prevent printer memory from getting used up.
Can You Print Without Spooling?
Although you may print without spooling, not all printers support it. Printer manufacturers like Brother and Epson allow printing without spooling on some of the models, but this feature is not available on HP printers.
