Operation could not be completed (error 0x000006ba) – Fix for it.
Posted on May 23rd, 2012 | by admin |
Often happens, when you try to add printer in Windows Vista (sometimes appears in Windows 7) you have below error message:
Operation could not be completed (error 0x000006ba). The local print spooler service is not running. Please, restart the spooler or restart the machine.
Automatic fix – Download Print Spooler Fix Wizard:
To manually fix this error you need to perform certain actions in Registry editor. Press “Windows” and “R” buttons together and you will open Run console. Type “Regedit” without quotes like on this picture:
Click OK and this will bring you to Windows Registry Editor. Locate key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\
Export this key – right click on the key and choose Export. Save it somewhere on your PC. Make sure you don’t have extra entries except those shown on the picture above. Check Version-3 sub-key and make sure its empty or contains standard printers. Remove extra drivers. Check Monitors sub-key and make sure you have default items listed there and nothing extra. Remove additional monitors. Check Providers sub-key and look if there is only ‘Internet Print Provider” and “LanMan Print Services”. Delete providers thats not listed in the picture.
After this go to “Services” by typing “services.msc” without quotes in Run console and stop the Print Service if it was started. Go to system32 folder and locate spoolss.dll file. Check it size (Right-click with your mouse and choose “Properties”. Compare its size with one this list depending on what OS you have:
Windows XP – 74 752 bytes.
Windows Vista – 163 840 bytes.
Windows 7 – 45 056 bytes.
Windows Vista (64-bit) – 238 080 bytes.
Windows 7 (64-bit) – 57 856 bytes.
If your size doesn’t match you need to restore default file from your Windows CD or using Windows System File Protection utility (SFC). You can replace this file from one of your friends machine with the same OS type.
If you have additional questions leave them in the comment section below.
About Alexey AbalmasovPost is written by Alexey Abalmasov who is a technology blogger, tech support specialist and simply an IT guy. I have 5 year expertise in solving certain problems with Windows OS as well as removing viruses. You can follow me on Twitter or on Facebook
4 Responses to “Operation could not be completed (error 0x000006ba) – Fix for it.”
By Steven on Dec 23, 2011 | Reply
It really works!!
Thank you very much!
By nitin on Jun 29, 2012 | Reply
Print Spooler and printer service stopping again and again. this all are problem from the printer drivers, ” install proper printer driver ” that’s it, if printer having same issue min you not install proper printer drivers.
no any other way just install proper drivers it will be fine for always
By Samson on Jul 5, 2012 | Reply
It really worked for me.
thanks a lot
By Ed on Jan 9, 2013 | Reply
Thank you so much. I spent hours trying to uninstall printers with Microsoft tools and other fixes but the print spool error message just kept coming back. Looked around the register for awhile but wasn’t sure what all to fix. I found your fix, deleted the registry keys as per your recommendations and got rid of the printers I was trying to uninstall and then allowed me to install my new printer.
Best to you.