The splwow64.exe system error can prevent you from printing documents on Windows 11 or 10. This guide will walk you through several methods to resolve this frustrating issue and get your printer working again.
What is the splwow64.exe System Error?
When trying to print, you may encounter an error message stating:
splwow64.exe – System Error
The program can’t start because dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.
This error occurs when there’s an issue with the splwow64.exe process, which helps 32-bit applications print on 64-bit Windows systems.
Methods to Fix the Splwow64.exe System Error
1. Disable Client-Side Rendering
Step 1: Open Settings and go to Devices > Printers & scanners
Step 2: Select the problematic printer and click “Manage”
Step 3: Click “Printer properties”
Step 4: Go to the Sharing tab and click “Change Sharing Options”
Step 5: Check “Share this printer” but uncheck “Render print jobs on client computers”
Step 6: Click Apply and OK
2. Adjust Splwow64.exe Timeout in Registry
Step 1: Open Registry Editor by pressing Win+R, typing regedit
, and hitting Enter
Step 2: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print
Step 3: Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
Step 4: Name it SplWOW64TimeOutSeconds
Step 5: Double-click the new value and set it to 60 (decimal)
Step 6: Click OK and restart your computer
3. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Step 1: Open Device Manager
Step 2: Expand the “Print queues” section
Step 3: Right-click your printer and select “Update driver”
Step 4: Choose to search automatically for updated driver software
If updating doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer driver from the manufacturer’s website.
4. Restart the Print Spooler Service
Step 1: Press Win+R, type services.msc
, and hit Enter
Step 2: Find the “Print Spooler” service
Step 3: Right-click it and select “Stop”
Step 4: Wait a few seconds, then right-click again and select “Start”
5. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Step 1: Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot
Step 2: Select “Additional troubleshooters”
Step 3: Find and run the “Printer” troubleshooter
6. Update Windows
Ensure your Windows 11/10 system is up to date by checking for and installing any available updates.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the splwow64.exe system error and resume printing. If the issue persists, consider contacting your printer manufacturer’s support team or a professional IT service for further assistance.