Can't delete a file in the printer queue, nothing else will print

Logon to www.hp.com/uk

select support and enter the Deskjet model number.
run diagnostics
wait for report
follow instructions
hopeful that will fix it.

Please follow the steps below to clear the print queue and restart the print spooler of your computer.

1. Browse to Start -> Run... and type in NET STOP SPOOLER (this will stop the print spooler service)

2. Browse to your windows\system32\spool\PRINTERS\ folder. You should see files there ending in .SPL and .SHD created around the time you tried to print - delete these files.

3. Browse to Start -> Run... and type in NET START SPOOLER (this will restart the print spooler service)

Try to print a document again to verify that the problem is fixed.

Please follow the steps below to clear the print queue from any stuck print jobs:

1. Browse to Start -> Run... and type in NET STOP SPOOLER (this will stop the print spooler service)

2. Browse to your windows\system32\spool\PRINTERS\ folder. You should see files there ending in .SPL and .SHD created around the time you tried to print - delete these files.

3. Browse to Start -> Run... and type in NET START SPOOLER (this will restart the print spooler service)

4. Double click the printer icon in the lower-right corner of your taskbar to examine your print job queue and browse to View -> Refresh.

Try to print a document again to verify that the problem is fixed.

If you're still unable to print, follow the steps below:

1. Disconnect the printer from your computer.

2. Re-brick your printer. Pull out the power supply, black box where the power cord is plugged in at the back of the printer, and put it back after 30 seconds.

2. On your computer, go to Control Panel > Printers and Faxes.

3. Delete the Lexmark print object.

4. Reboot your pc.

5. When your pc turns on, reconnect the printer.

6. Wait until your pc fully recognizes the USB connection. To check, go to Control Panel > Printers and Faxes. If you see a new Lexmark print object in the list, then try to print a document again to verify that the problem is fixed.

It could be a printer driver issue. Please follow the steps below to fix the problem.
First, clear the print queue from any stuck print jobs. You can do the steps mention - going to Services and stop the print spooler, delete the files in the spooler folder and then restart the service.
Second, delete the existing Lexmark Interpret S405 printer driver. On your computer, go to Start menu > Programs > Lexmark > Uninstall. After the uninstall process, reboot your pc when prompted.
Third, visit the Lexmark website to download and reinstall the Lexmark Interpret S405 printer driver. Select the version of your Windows operating system. Download and execute the file. Follow the instructions on your computer screen.
After the reinstall process is successful, try to print again to verify that the problem is fixed.

Make sure there are no print jobs stuck in the queue. If you're using Windows, go to the Control Panel > Printers > double-click on the Lexmark print object. Delete all print jobs pending. If you can't clear all print jobs, follow the steps below:

1. Browse to Start -> Run... and type in "NET STOP SPOOLER" (this will stop the print spooler service)

2. Browse to your windows\system32\spool\PRINTERS\ folder. You should see files there ending in .SPL and .SHD created around the time you tried to print - delete these files.

3. Browse to Start -> Run... and type in "NET START SPOOLER" (this will restart the print spooler service)

Double click the printer icon in the lower-right corner of your taskbar to examine your print job queue and browse to View -> Refresh.

Reboot your computer. Then, try to scan again.

To delete print jobs stuck in the print queue on Windows:

1. Click Start ? click Control Panel ? click Printers and Faxes.
2. Right-click on the Lexmark print object and select Cancel All Documents.
3. If that doesn't clear the queue, restart your computer.

If print job(s) still remain in the queue even after doing the steps above:
Stop the Print Spooler service from the Services console

1. Click Start ? click Run ? type cmd ? click OK.
2. Type net stop spooler at the command prompt ? hit Enter on the keyboard.

Clear the SPOOL folder

1. Click Start ? click Run ? type spool ? click OK.
2. Open PRINTERS folder ? delete all files in the folder.

Start the Print Spooler service from the Services console

1. Click Start ? click Run ? type cmd ? click OK.
2. Type net start spooler at the command prompt ? hit Enter on the keyboard.

Try to print again after clearing the print queue.

You can find the print queue going to Start-Settings-Printer and Faxes, Open printer and faxes by clicking and You will find the printers installed. Select your printer probably the one which has tick mark on it ( default printer) double click to open and see the files in queue. You can delete the queue if printing stucked.

Other way to delete the printing queue if not getting deleted from the above method is to go to start-.>run type "services.msc"
search for print spooler service in the rights side pane, right click the service and stop it. Now again go to Start->run type
"spool" and hit enter. It will open up folder for you, double click on PRINTER folder and delete all the files in that folder. This will clear up the queue from printer. After deleting all files, go to again follow the same process to start the print spooler service. Go to start->run-> type "Services.msc" hit enter, on the right side pane search for printer spooler service, right click and start the service.

Hope this helps

Click on start and go to run than type services.msc, look for "Print Spooler" right click on it and than click on stop and start, then try to print

Go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS on your PC and you will see two files listed fior each of the outstanding print jobs. These will have the file extensions .SHD and .SPL

You need to delete both of these files then power off and power on your printer to be able to continue printing.

Found On: http://www.nztechie.com/can-not-delete-failed-print-jobs-in-windows-vistaxp2000/270/ Can not delete failed print jobs in Windows Vista/XP/2000 Occassionally, a job will stall in the Printer Spooler. The jobs status will constantly be reported as “Deleting”, but the job will not disapear. ‘Cancel’ and ‘Restart’ have no affect.
Resolution: Stop the Print spooler, manually remove the stalled jobs and then restart the Print Spooler service.
Method 1:
1. Press Start-> Run -> Type ‘Services.msc” -> Press Enter
2. Scroll Down the List until you find “Print Spooler”
3. Highlight this name
4. Select “Stop the service” from the left pane
5. Minimize the Services window
5. Navigate to the following directory in Windows Explorer
“x:WindowsSystem32spoolPRINTERS” where “X” is the drive you have Windows XP installed.
6. Delete the contents of the “PRINTERS” folder. Do no delete the “PRINTERS” folder iself.
7. Maximize the Services window
8. Scroll Down the List until you find “Print Spooler”
9. Highlight this name
10. Select “Start the service” from the left pane
Your issue should be resolved.