How do I delete a job from the PRINTERS folder?

[Physelec]

I used an old archived post from a very long time ago helping me with how to get out of the "Deleting..." phase of my printer when it is taking FOREVER to delete. it said to stop spool and then go to system 32/spool/PRINTERS and he said to "delete the job". what is the job? there is a bunch of files there and the most recent ones are named stuff like "PP390okuik782nx0lvwoae5an7.TMP". I really need this done QUICKLY because i have a school project that is due TOMORROW because i am a bit lazy and forgot about it...... anyways please help, and please help quickly.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Physelec 

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Scroll down to section Details > Manual Queue Reset

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Find the Print Job(s)

> > > Windows 11 < < <

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners

Select Printer from list > Scroll down > Select More devices and printer settings

Continue in Control Panel > Devices and Printers

Next,

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Double-Left-Click on your printer icon

See what’s printing

Click (or Right-Click) on the job > Cancel

Note:  Exact wording varies

More Options…

> > > Windows 10 < < <

Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners > Click Open queue

Click (or Right-Click) on the job > Cancel

Settings > Devices > Right-Click Printers & Scanners > Pin to Start

Then

Windows key > find the newly PINNED application tile Printers & Scanners

Move the application tile to a Tile Group that is easy to see and open quickly

> > > Windows 11 < < <

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners

Select Printer from list > Open Print Queue

Open Menu ( … ) top right of list > Select Pause All / Resume All / Cancel All

OR

If more than one job in the list > Right-Click on the file/job name > Pause / Restart / Cancel

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Print Queue / Print Service Reset

After a print job has been accepted, it is turned over the Windows Print Services for completion.

When a job is "stuck in the queue", it is sometimes due to Print Services being stuck or otherwise “broken”.

If the job is accepted and quickly disappears, it is perhaps due to incorrect Temp folder permissions.

Read

HP Printers - Print jobs stuck in print queue

Replacement for Print and Scan Doctor

Use Diagnose & Fix in HP Smart to repair common printing issues (Windows, macOS)

AND / OR

First, check that Windows Update does not need to install updates (or Restart)

Settings > Update and Security > Check for Updates

NOTE: If an update is already pending, install that update > Restart the computer and log in

Next…

If the current print job will not cancel or if a previous print job is stuck in the queue,

and

If the issue is due to Print Services being stuck / hung / corrupted,

• Stop Print Services
• Remove any files in the print queue folder(s)
• Restart the Print Service

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Details > Manual Queue Reset

> > > Windows 10 / Windows 11 < < <

Windows Start > Search for “Services”

Optional > Right-Click and Pin to Start / Taskbar > Open Services App

> > > Windows 10 < < <

Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > Services

Next,

Scroll down, find, Right-Click, and Stop Print Spooler Service

Open File Explorer (formally Windows Explorer)

Navigate to the PRNTERS folder

NOTE: Folder might be hidden.

C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

OR possibly

C:\Windows\System\spool\PRINTERS

Delete any files found in folder 

Start Print Spooler Service

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Looking to remove just one job?

Sort list by Date / or Date Modified

Find the date for the job(s) printed that day

Delete the matching .spl and .shd  file numbered files.

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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software / Drivers / Firmware Updates , Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

 Select a saved product from HP Account Dashboard

OR

HP Deskjet 2540 All-in-One Printer series  

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