Fix 0X00000BB9: Printer Driver in Use Error

Quick answer for advanced users

Stop the Print Spooler (net stop spooler), delete the driver folder C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\x64\3, restart spooler, then re-add the printer. Run this as admin.

Why this happens

This error pops up when you try to update, remove, or replace a printer driver — usually on Windows 10 or 11. The printer driver files are locked because the Print Spooler service or a background process (like a print job queue, a scanner utility, or even a stuck ghost job) is holding them open. I've seen this most often after a failed driver update or when uninstalling an old HP or Brother driver that leaves orphaned files behind. The error code 0X00000BB9 translates to "The specified printer driver is currently in use," and Windows won't let you touch those driver files until the lock releases.

The real fix isn't just restarting the spooler — you need to clear the driver cache entirely. Here's how.

Step-by-step fix

1. Open an admin command prompt or PowerShell. Hit Win+X, choose "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)."

2. Stop the Print Spooler service. Run this command:

   net stop spooler

   You'll see "The Print Spooler service is stopping." Wait a few seconds.

3. Delete the driver cache folder. Open File Explorer and go to:

   C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\x64\3

   (On a 32-bit system, use drivers\w32x86\3 instead.)

   Delete everything inside that folder. If some files won't delete, skip to Step 4 — you might need to take ownership first.

4. Restart the spooler. Back in your admin prompt, run:

   net start spooler

5. Remove the old printer. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Delete any printers that used that driver.

6. Re-add the printer. Windows will grab the default driver from Windows Update or you can install the manufacturer's latest driver fresh.

If the driver folder won't delete

Sometimes a lingering process like spoolsv.exe holds a lock even after stopping the service. In that case:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).

2. Go to the Services tab, find Spooler, and right-click > Stop (if it's running again).

3. Kill any spoolsv.exe process that reappears — though this is rare. If it keeps coming back, boot into Safe Mode (press F8 during startup, or use msconfig > Boot > Safe boot). Then retry Step 3.

Alternative fix: Force via Print Management console

Some users find that the old-school Print Management console (printmanagement.msc) lets you remove drivers more gracefully. Here's the workflow:

1. Press Win+R, type printmanagement.msc, hit Enter.

2. Expand Print Servers > your PC name > Drivers.

3. Right-click the offending driver and choose Delete.

4. If it fails, you'll still need the spooler stop + folder wipe from Step 2.

Prevention tip for next time

Before updating a printer driver, always remove the old one cleanly. Use the manufacturer's uninstall tool (HP has Print and Scan Doctor, Epson has a removal utility) and then restart before installing the new driver. Never just install over an existing driver — that's how locks happen. Also, run a print job test before updating to clear any stuck jobs in the queue. A clean spooler avoids 90% of these errors.

If you're on a corporate network, ask your IT admin to push driver updates via Group Policy — that bypasses local lock issues entirely.