Error 1068 "The dependency service or group failed to start" when starting the Spooler Service

Copyright © 2008 Ramesh Srinivasan
Error messages

Symptoms

When you attempt to start the Print Spooler service (using Services.msc), one of the following error messages may appear and the Spooler service does not start:

Could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer.
Error 1075: The dependency service does not exist or has been marked for deletion.

Could not start the Print Spooler service on Local Computer.
Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start.

The event log may display the following messages:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7003
Description:
The Print Spooler service depends on the following nonexistent service: <servicename>

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7001
Description:
The Fax service depends on the Print Spooler service which failed to start because of the following error:
The dependency service does not exist or has been marked for deletion.

Resolution

To resolve the problem, fix the dependency information for the Spooler service.

Click Start, Run and type the following:

CMD /K SC CONFIG SPOOLER DEPEND= RPCSS

Alternately, to accomplish this using Registry Editor:

Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe

Navigate to the following branch

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ Spooler

In the right-pane, double-click the DependOnService value

Delete the existing data, and then type RPCSS

Close Regedit.exe

Related Links

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00002125

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100 Responses to "Error 1068 "The dependency service or group failed to start" when starting the Spooler Service"

ken

said this on 07 Apr 2006 1:06:50 AM PDT

will check hear fist try micosoft for 2 day not find

(Reply to this comment)

Bel

said this on 07 Apr 2006 7:52:35 AM PDT

I have been looking online for hours trying to fix the same problem. Thank God somebody knows what they're doing (you smarties). It Works!! :) Thanks

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 26 Apr 2006 10:57:04 AM PDT

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!After months of trying to figure it out, my printer FINALLY works! YAY!!!

(Reply to this comment)

Josh

said this on 14 May 2006 10:53:33 AM PDT

THANK YOU! i was looking everywhere to try to fix this and this actually worked!

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 25 May 2006 6:40:07 AM PDT

ty, although it took a while to work it worked it woudnt start for some reason until i used tak manager to do it :'( but ty u fixed it

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 30 May 2006 3:47:21 AM PDT

thanks for a great service

(Reply to this comment)

Lorrie

said this on 08 Jun 2006 6:39:20 PM PDT

Unfortunately, I didn't find you guys first. I am so glad you guys are here & I have added you to my favorites! Thanks so much!

(Reply to this comment)

?

said this on 14 Jun 2006 5:44:30 PM PDT

I had a hacker recently and he screwed up my system pretty bad, but I am hardly in experenced at the computer and was able to despose of him and all of the problem he caused save one. The "CMD /K SC CONFIG SPOOLER DEPEND= RPCSS" was a work of absolute genius. Who ever thought of it should stand and take a bow.

(Reply to this comment)

Steve

said this on 18 Jun 2006 5:47:25 PM PDT

THANK YOU - THANK YOU!!! I manually edited the registry, rebooted & all my printer drivers were back where they were supposed to be.

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said this on 20 Jun 2006 9:03:35 PM PDT

Hey....this was the ticket. Awesome. Lexmark sucks. Don't forget to reboot after doing the regedit type of adjustment. THANKS A BUNCH...

(Reply to this comment)

Gerard

said this on 28 Jun 2006 2:23:02 PM PDT

Instructions worked perfectly! Thanks! Gerard

(Reply to this comment)

Mia

said this on 28 Jun 2006 9:14:15 PM PDT

FIXED!!! Excellent! Thank you!!! :-)

(Reply to this comment)

Samuel

said this on 29 Jun 2006 7:31:45 PM PDT

You guys are wonderful. Having spent more than 3 frustrating hours trying to fix this Print Spooler (Error 1068) problem, using different info from different sites, I finally stomped across this website. Voila, my Print Spooler has now started. I first used the RegEdit option, but that won't work, then, I tried the CMD /K SC.. option, and I got a "success" feedback. My spooler has now started. Thank you guys a million times.

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 02 Jul 2006 4:43:47 AM PDT

Excellent. Works are I need not bang my head against the wall no more. Cheers Matey

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 05 Jul 2006 12:53:13 PM PDT

THANKS!

(Reply to this comment)

J A

said this on 05 Jul 2006 11:03:28 PM PDT

Excellent, finally fixed my problem after much searching.

(Reply to this comment)

Art

said this on 07 Jul 2006 10:04:49 PM PDT

I'd been trying fix my missing printers after re-storing with Norton Ghost 10. I don't know if Ghost had this side-effect or if I accidently did something to get rid of all my printers and kill the spooler under Windows/XP Pro. Thanks! Art

(Reply to this comment)

Rich

said this on 10 Jul 2006 6:13:45 PM PDT

Thanks...Spent several hours with other fixes. CMD/KCS did not work but manually WORKED!

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 12 Jul 2006 6:34:09 PM PDT

wonderful.. it helped

(Reply to this comment)

samad uddin ahmad

said this on 21 Jul 2006 1:04:50 PM PDT

article is excellent

(Reply to this comment)

dj

said this on 10 Aug 2006 1:57:15 PM PDT

excellent! thank you

(Reply to this comment)

Jen

said this on 14 Aug 2006 3:19:56 PM PDT

Thank you! I uninstalled my Lexmark inkjet and was unable to install my new HP LaserJet until I found this information!

(Reply to this comment)

YES!

said this on 22 Aug 2006 12:46:07 PM PDT

It worked like a charm. I was hesitant because I thought the info was beyound my tech capabilities but the directions where easy. Thank you!

(Reply to this comment)

elliot

said this on 26 Sep 2006 3:39:59 PM PDT

Thanks for the cmd / k sc config spooler depend=rpcss It worked after all so quickly! I had spent hours of frustration trying to get it fixed!

(Reply to this comment)

john turner

said this on 29 Sep 2006 12:53:15 AM PDT

you guys rock..............i had despaired of ever printing again . your DOS line restarted my print spooler THANK YOU

(Reply to this comment)

kim

said this on 30 Sep 2006 8:24:09 PM PDT

Wonderful article. The resolution worked perfectly!

(Reply to this comment)

Earl

said this on 17 Oct 2006 8:49:00 AM PDT

OMG!!!! Thank you soooo much for figuring out how to resolve this issue..you're a life saver

(Reply to this comment)

Ben

said this on 21 Oct 2006 5:03:55 PM PDT

Great Resolution, short, to the point... ...oh yeah, and it worked!

(Reply to this comment)

SF

said this on 03 Nov 2006 11:57:58 PM PDT

worked for me too. thanks so much!!

(Reply to this comment)

D. Anderson

said this on 14 Nov 2006 7:10:16 PM PDT

Thanks a pile. It seems to have worked just fine. Regards.

(Reply to this comment)

said this on 21 Nov 2006 1:52:59 PM PDT

Excellent article. Solved my problem immediately and simply. Thank you!

(Reply to this comment)

Lesly

said this on 27 Nov 2006 3:59:18 AM PDT

Thank you , Thank you , Thank you!!!!

(Reply to this comment)

Jaya Sharma

said this on 01 Dec 2006 8:04:10 AM PDT

this is 10/10

(Reply to this comment)

Emily

said this on 03 Dec 2006 8:12:41 PM PDT

Awsome! It finally worked. Spent hours looking into microsoft's website and found practically nothing. Thanks a bunch guys! You made my day.

(Reply to this comment)

Danee' Hamrick

said this on 05 Dec 2006 9:15:34 AM PDT

it fixed my problem

(Reply to this comment)

SheilaB

said this on 13 Dec 2006 8:27:45 AM PDT

YOU ROCK!!! I tried the first option and thought i needed to do something when i got into DOS...closed it and tried the second option and RPCSS was already there...I thought it didn't work...much to my amazement it did...so simple, thanks guys!!!!!

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Ams

said this on 16 Dec 2006 5:06:33 AM PDT

There was this malware which not only created problem with the spool but it actually changed the spoolsv.exe file along with the sfc.exe and sfc_os.dll. I think you can also look into this. I am sure many people will benifit from it. It was great I had to actually format one machine already and I did not give up the second time thanks to you.

(Reply to this comment)

Alma

said this on 22 Dec 2006 11:19:04 PM PDT

Thank you, it worked. I am a happy camper now!!! Thank you

(Reply to this comment)

Nams

said this on 28 Dec 2006 11:31:39 AM PDT

It really works!! thanks a ton

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 03 Jan 2007 3:33:26 PM PDT

this information has just saved my life. Thank you godsend

(Reply to this comment)

Ratna

said this on 09 Jan 2007 10:14:04 PM PDT

U guys are a lifesaver, just racked my head for 2 hours before hitting u on google - a 2 sec solution - kudos 2 u

(Reply to this comment)

mike nichols

said this on 12 Jan 2007 11:48:47 AM PDT

bless you! this fix worked when all other fixes, tips, installs, uninstalls, incense, and incantations failed.

(Reply to this comment)

John McDonald

said this on 21 Jan 2007 12:56:18 AM PDT

It is always a pleasure to meet someone who actually knows what they are doing. Your directions were simple, to the point and worked!! My printer is up and running again thanks to you wonderful talented people. A job well done & thanks again, John

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 24 Jan 2007 12:47:12 PM PDT

Worked great! I used the command option. Thank you very much!

(Reply to this comment)

said this on 25 Jan 2007 11:34:05 PM PDT

TWO HOURS TO FIND YOU GUYS!!! TWO SECONDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE! THANK YOU!

(Reply to this comment)

Curt

said this on 01 Feb 2007 3:18:01 PM PDT

Winhelponline.com is now at the top of my go-to list. After hours of search and research, this listing solved the problem in less than 30 seconds. Whoever you are and where ever you are, you have earned my gratitude. --Thanks

(Reply to this comment)

Ray

said this on 06 Feb 2007 11:59:35 PM PDT

Worked first time with CMD option, thanks for a great answer to my problem

(Reply to this comment)

moa

said this on 08 Feb 2007 3:05:22 AM PDT

You guys rock! My printer is now operational!!! From now on I'll go to this website for all troubleshooting needs!!

(Reply to this comment)

Jim

said this on 19 Feb 2007 2:08:28 PM PDT

I used both methods and did not have success. The first method I get a window C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CMD.exe [SC] ChangeServiceConfig SUCCESS C:\Documents and settings\Owner> ??? Can any one help here??? What do I need to enter to complete this function? Thanks, Jim

(Reply to this comment)

Daniel Carroll

said this on 19 Feb 2007 11:29:52 PM PDT

Let me tell you that I just got off the phone with Microsoft Technical Support and after two hours of trying diffrent procedures, (He even made me delete the DependOnService value) we could get nothing resolved. The tech ended up setting me up for Microsoft Research team to call me back tomorrow (For Free). But I refused to give up and I typed the error and found your page, I followed the original procedure, to click RUN and type in the commands....All I have to say is...GOD BLESS YOU!!!What took me two hours with a so called professional to complete nothing, Thanks to you I was able to fix it in 2 minutes. Once again Thank you!

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 20 Feb 2007 7:36:12 PM PDT

Thanks worked well!!!!

(Reply to this comment)

Dina

said this on 23 Feb 2007 4:05:43 AM PDT

Thank you, it helped

(Reply to this comment)

Alan

said this on 04 Mar 2007 10:35:37 AM PDT

Absolutely amazing - have been trying to get printer working for whole day. Typed error message into google and got this website. Tried second method and it worked immediately. THANK YOU

(Reply to this comment)

Jeffrey

said this on 09 Mar 2007 7:33:33 PM PDT

Thanks so much. I echo most of the comments above, esp. the one saying "Lexmark Sucks". After already identifying this "dependency" as the source of the problem, I still didn't know how to fix it. I tried reinstalling the Lexmark driver, but it stalled when it found the Print Spooler wasn't running... when the LexBCSS Service was the (faulty) dependency that was keeping the Print Spooler from loading in the first place. Catch 22... until I found your solution.

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said this on 07 Apr 2007 12:37:28 PM PDT

WOW! Thanks so much. Have been trying to get my printers back for a week. Even the IT guys at work were stumped.THANKS AGAIN!!!!

(Reply to this comment)

Anthony George

said this on 08 Apr 2007 12:38:36 PM PDT

Wow thank God someone was able to help me. Been stuck for days going in circles. You Rock. Thank You

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Mike

said this on 11 Apr 2007 10:43:37 PM PDT

Bookmark this site! Great work guys and gals.

(Reply to this comment)

Ahmet Kazanc

said this on 23 Apr 2007 10:18:26 AM PDT

THANKS, YOU ARE THE BEST !

(Reply to this comment)

Connie

said this on 28 Apr 2007 6:44:25 PM PDT

WOW! I am thrilled! After checking numerous options to fix the spooler problem, this was the only one that Finally Worked! Thank you so much!

(Reply to this comment)

Becca

said this on 30 Apr 2007 6:59:38 PM PDT

Excellent! For those who say RPCSS still exists, make sure ANYTHING else but that is deleted. Just have that. Glad to see this kind of help is available, even for us who know, it helps to be refreshed exactly where things are in the labyrinth of hkeyland.

(Reply to this comment)

Tejay

said this on 15 May 2007 8:30:10 AM PDT

YO BRO! U DA MAN :-)

(Reply to this comment)

Wendy

said this on 18 May 2007 2:48:55 PM PDT

THANK YOU so much! I've been trying to solve this problem w/my printer for months. You did it!!! Easy-to-do instructions that worked immediately. Whew...

(Reply to this comment)

Eric

said this on 24 Jun 2007 10:07:05 AM PDT

Thanks alot, life saver!

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ngujoga

said this on 28 Jun 2007 11:59:45 PM PDT

Excellent article. My problem was similar to comment # 55 above. Your article was my life saver. Thanks very much.

(Reply to this comment)

an unknown user

said this on 03 Jul 2007 7:02:36 PM PDT

I work tech support for a major computer manufacturer and I only do Portable and Desk top hardware only.. didn't know anything about how to troubleshoot printers..When I got a customer who was passed around and begged me not to transfer him I had to learn.. after 2 hours of trouble shooting and looking for fixes online.. this was the only think that worked and it work instantly... THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

(Reply to this comment)

Gavin Baker

said this on 07 Jul 2007 10:44:08 AM PDT

Nice Job!!! you're the best.

(Reply to this comment)

Matt

said this on 20 Jul 2007 1:40:30 PM PDT

I'm glad I didn't have to look long. I was just starting to get annoyed with the problem. Thanks, worked great!!

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Brendan

said this on 27 Jul 2007 6:58:19 PM PDT

Thanks great advice!

(Reply to this comment)

Laura

said this on 11 Aug 2007 10:32:40 AM PDT

Thank You so very much for your support... I thought it was a lost cause and that I was going to have to pay big bucks for someone to come push a few buttons. Thanks Again and God Bless... Laura

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Kristen

said this on 17 Aug 2007 7:56:47 PM PDT

THANK YOU!!!! I spent the whole day looking for help and trying things to fix this, then, at 7:30, I found this site! Thank you!

(Reply to this comment)

Lisa

said this on 04 Sep 2007 7:28:36 AM PDT

Yippe my printer spooler is now started at bleedy last thanks alot

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Monisha Kaushal

said this on 08 Sep 2007 11:50:41 AM PDT

It really works..as when everything failed i tried this and it started in a second..

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Steve J

said this on 11 Sep 2007 4:38:35 PM PDT

There are no words to decribe how good you people are. Thanks for this info.

(Reply to this comment)

gaz

said this on 09 Oct 2007 8:44:50 AM PDT

Effin Legend, cheers indeed, thank you for taking the time to help. some of us really need it. Booo! to lexmark!

(Reply to this comment)

Jeff

said this on 10 Oct 2007 10:33:19 PM PDT

Thank you!! I still had to go to Admin tools and start my spooler but it worked great! You are the man!

(Reply to this comment)

Paul

said this on 25 Oct 2007 2:35:24 PM PDT

Worked. Thanks.

(Reply to this comment)

Ed

said this on 25 Oct 2007 3:40:27 PM PDT

I had the error 1068 and followed the instructions above: " CMD /K SC CONFIG SPOOLER DEPEND= RPCSS" re-booted and everything worked. Thanks

(Reply to this comment)

rara

said this on 04 Nov 2007 6:39:51 PM PDT

Thank you for the command line!!!!

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Charlotte Street Computers

said this on 06 Nov 2007 5:11:19 PM PDT

IT WORKED! you're great!~

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said this on 16 Nov 2007 7:33:10 AM PDT

Thank you soooo very much!

(Reply to this comment)

said this on 03 Dec 2007 2:44:45 PM PDT

You guys are guiniesses! I have been looking for months to fix this problem with my printer. Thank you so much.

(Reply to this comment)

Riss

said this on 06 Dec 2007 6:49:00 PM PDT

It didn't work for me... I am wondering why because of these 82 people above that it has worked magic on. I did both things in the instructions and I am still getting the same message... What the heck??

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Guy

said this on 09 Dec 2007 8:40:58 PM PDT

worked great.. thank you!!

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Brenda

said this on 17 Dec 2007 8:11:59 AM PDT

Thank you!!! I have spent a great deal of time trying to resolve this problem and you had the answer. At first, once I deleted the existing data and then tried to type RPCSS, I received the dreaded "beep". Then I tabbed to the right hand side (where descriptors had been before deletion) and was able to enter successfully.

(Reply to this comment)

Danny

said this on 28 Jan 2008 1:05:10 PM PDT

THANK YOU GUYS! the only help i could find... and so simple!

(Reply to this comment)

Stewie

said this on 30 Jan 2008 8:32:31 AM PDT

you solved my problem thank you!

(Reply to this comment)

Edd

said this on 20 Feb 2008 9:29:43 PM PDT

WOW WOW WOW thank you!!

(Reply to this comment)

Steph B

said this on 10 Apr 2008 12:36:44 AM PDT

Words cannot even begin to express my love for you. I had the same problem as Jen. I'm beginning to believe that Lexmark printers = virus in a box.

(Reply to this comment)

Bill Cornell

said this on 20 Apr 2008 10:22:26 AM PDT

Thanks for the excellent advice. It worked great!

(Reply to this comment)

Edwin

said this on 03 May 2008 8:23:45 AM PDT

THAT WAS IT!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoo

(Reply to this comment)