How to Check Print Server Logs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Monitoring print server logs is key to resolving printer issues, keeping track of print jobs and ensuring everything runs smoothly in your print environment.

Here’s a handy step-by-step guide to help you access and interpret print server logs in Windows.

Steps to Check Print Server Logs

1. Enable Print Logging on the Print Server

First things first, you need to make sure logging is turned on:

1. Open the Print Management console (printmanagement.msc).
2. Expand the Print Servers section and select your server.
3. Right-click on the server name and choose Properties.
4. Under the Advanced tab, make sure the Log spooler information events box is checked.
5. Click OK to save your changes.

2. Access Logs in Event Viewer

You can find the print server logs in the Event Viewer under the PrintService category:

1. Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc).
2. Navigate to Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > PrintService > Operational
3. If it’s not already enabled, right-click on Operational and select Enable Log.
4. Check out the events for detailed insights into print jobs, errors, and printer status.

3. Filter Logs for Specific Events

To make your search more efficient:

1. In the Operational log, please click on Filter Current Log from the right-hand menu.
2. Specify Event IDs:
   • 307: Print job success.
   • 808: Printer errors.
3. Click OK to see the filtered logs.

4. Export Print Logs

If you need to share or analyze the logs:

1. Right-click on the Operational log and select Save All Events As.
2. Choose your preferred file format (like .evtx for Event Viewer or .csv for spreadsheets).

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