net start
CautionStart/stop services
net start / net stop <service>
Bare 'net start' lists running services; with a name it starts (or stops) one — terser than sc.
Examples
net stop spooler && net start spoolerRestart the print spoolernet start | findstr /i sqlFilter running services by namenet start "Print Spooler"Start by display name (quote names with spaces)sc queryex spoolerDetailed state, PID and exit code
Syntax
net start [service] / net stop <service>
Key points
- Both the service name (spooler) and the display name (Print Spooler) work.
- If other services depend on it, net stop asks whether to stop them too.
- Starting and stopping need administrator rights.
When it does not work
- System error 5 (access is denied) means you need an elevated prompt.
- The service name is invalid: check the real name with sc query.
- If it hangs in STOP_PENDING, get the PID with sc queryex and end it with taskkill /f /pid <PID>.
Before you run it
Confirm impact before stopping services.
Used when you see
Printer won't print
2
See the whole flow →Restart the Print Spooler serviceStop then start the spooler; clear the spool folder if needed.
Related commands
- scService control (Windows)
- Restart-ServiceRestart service (PS)
- systemctlManage services
The same reference, with no signal at all
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