Printer Operation Requires Elevation? Fix - Error 740

You are seeing the 'Requested operation requires elevation' error because your Windows Print Spooler service has crashed or stopped responding. This error prevents your user account from sending documents to the printer, often following a recent Windows update or a sudden service hang.

Why this happens

The Print Spooler service acts as the bridge between your apps and your printer. When it fails, Windows blocks your standard user session from restarting it for security reasons, which triggers the elevation error.

Steps

1. 01
   Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. 02
   Type services.msc into the box and press Enter to launch the Services management console.
3. 03
   Scroll through the list to locate the service named Print Spooler.
4. 04
   Right-click on Print Spooler and select Restart; wait a few seconds for the status to return to Running.
5. 05
   Right-click the Print Spooler again and select Properties.
6. 06
   In the Startup type dropdown menu, select Automatic to ensure the service persists after a reboot, then click OK.
7. 07
   Attempt to print your document again to verify the error is cleared.
8. 08
   If the error persists, open Device Manager, find your printer, right-click it, and select Uninstall device, ensuring you check the box for 'Attempt to remove the driver for this device' before reinstalling your printer software.

Still not working?

If restarting the service and reinstalling the driver fails, you may have a corrupt system file or a conflicting print driver. Check your Windows Update history for failed installations, or attempt to run the System File Checker by typing sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to repair underlying OS issues.

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose my saved documents or print history?

No, restarting the Print Spooler only refreshes the service. Your saved documents and existing printer settings will remain intact.

Does this error mean my printer is broken?

Usually no. Error 740 is a software communication issue between Windows and the spooler, not a physical hardware failure.