220-1102 Question 78
Single answerServicesA user reports that a Windows 10 PC no longer prints to any network printer after a recent troubleshooting attempt by another technician. The printers are still reachable on the network, and other users can print normally. When you open Services.msc on the affected PC, you see that the Print Spooler service is stopped. The user needs printing restored as quickly as possible, but you also want the fix to persist after a reboot. Which action should you take FIRST?
- A
Set the Print Spooler service Startup type to Automatic and start the service
- B
Restart the Remote Desktop Services service and then reconnect the printer
- C
Disable the Windows Defender Firewall service so the printer ports are no longer blocked
- D
Set the Function Discovery Provider Host service to Disabled and reboot the PC
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
In Windows, the Print Spooler service is essential for managing print jobs and printer interaction. If it is stopped, users typically cannot print, even if the printer itself is online and accessible. In a real support scenario, the best first action is to start the required service and set an appropriate Startup type so the issue does not recur after reboot. On modern Windows systems, Services.msc or the Services console can be used to verify service status and Startup type. This aligns with standard Microsoft guidance for managing Windows services: identify the dependent or failed service, restore the service state, and configure it correctly before pursuing more invasive troubleshooting. The other options either target unrelated services or introduce unnecessary risk without addressing the root cause shown in the scenario.
- A. Correct.
Correct. If the Print Spooler service is stopped, Windows cannot queue or process print jobs. Setting the service Startup type to Automatic helps ensure it starts on boot, and starting it immediately restores printing if no other issue exists. This is the most direct and appropriate first step based on the evidence in the scenario.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Remote Desktop Services is related to remote sessions and does not control local print job spooling for standard Windows printing. A candidate might choose this if they confuse redirected printers in RDP sessions with the Windows service responsible for all print queue processing.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Disabling the Windows Defender Firewall service is not an appropriate first step and creates unnecessary security risk. The scenario already states that printers are reachable on the network and other users can print, which points away from a network filtering issue and directly toward the stopped Print Spooler service.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Function Discovery Provider Host is associated with device and resource discovery on the network, not print queue management. Disabling it would not restore printing and could interfere with network discovery features. This distractor targets confusion between discovering a printer and actually processing print jobs.