Quick Answer
samsung-printer.exe is safe. It's the official Samsung printer driver and utility that manages print jobs, scanner features, and printer status across Samsung devices.
What is samsung-printer.exe?
The samsung-printer.exe file is the core executable that powers Samsung printer drivers and utilities. It coordinates printing, scanning, and device status for Samsung laser, inkjet, and multi-function printers, communicating with the Windows spooler, printer queues, and service components to deliver jobs.
The process implements the Samsung Print Service, communicates with the Windows Print Spooler, and hosts UI components for printer properties. It loads printer profiles, routes print jobs to the device, and handles status feedback from the printer.
Quick Fact: Samsung pioneered integrated printer software architecture to streamline print and scan tasks across multiple devices.
Types of Samsung Printer Processes
- Driver Loader Process: Initial driver loading and device communication
- Print Spooler Interaction: Handles print queues and job dispatch
- Scanner/Copy Service: Manages scanning and copy tasks for multifunction devices
- UI/Property Pages: Samsung Printer Center interface and printer properties
- Status Monitor: Background status updates for ink/toner and paper levels
- Firmware/Maintenance: Checks for firmware updates and maintenance tasks
Is samsung-printer.exe Safe?
Yes, samsung-printer.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Samsung downloaded from official sources (samsung.com or official Samsung printer software).
Is samsung-printer.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real samsung-printer.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware can masquerade with similar names, so verify the path and signature.
How to Tell if samsung-printer.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Samsung\Printer\Driver or C:\Program Files (x86)\Samsung\Printer\Driver. Any samsung-printer.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd." as signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-15% CPU and 100-400 MB memory when printing or scanning. Persistent high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Should run when using Samsung software or printing. Constant background activity when no Samsung software is active may indicate malware.
Red Flags: If samsung-printer.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when no Samsung software is open, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software. Be wary of similarly-named files from untrusted sources.
Why Is samsung-printer.exe Running on My PC?
samsung-printer.exe runs when you print, scan, or use Samsung Printer software. It can also run in background to monitor queues and device status for connected Samsung devices.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Print Job: You're actively printing or a job is queued; the process handles dispatch and status updates.
- Background Scanning: Scanner operations or document capture tasks may keep the process active in the background.
- Printer Center or Service Startup: Samsung Printer Center or related services start with Windows or when the printer is connected.
- Consumables Monitoring: The software checks ink/toner and paper levels to notify you of replacements.
- Network or Cloud Printing: Network printers or cloud print features can keep the process running to manage jobs and statuses.
Can I Disable or Remove samsung-printer.exe?
Yes, you can disable samsung-printer.exe. It's safe to close Samsung Printer Center when not in use, and you can uninstall the driver completely if you prefer a different printer solution.
How to Stop samsung-printer.exe
- End Print Jobs: Open Samsung Printer Center → select a pending job → Cancel or Pause the job
- Close Printer Center: Exit Samsung Printer Center and close related windows
- Stop Related Services: Open Services.msc, locate Samsung Printer Service, right-click → Stop
- Disable Startup: In Services.msc, set Startup type to Manual or Disabled for Samsung Printer Service
- Prevent Background Tasks: Open Samsung Printer Center settings → General → uncheck "Start Samsung Printer Center on Windows startup"
How to Uninstall Samsung Printer Driver
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Samsung Printer Driver → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Samsung Printer Driver → Uninstall
- ✔ Restart your computer and reinstall a preferred printer solution if needed
Common Problems: Printing Issues or Driver Conflicts
If samsung-printer.exe or Samsung Printer Center are misbehaving, try the following common fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Printer offline or not detected: Check USB/Network connections, set the correct default printer, and restart the Print Spooler service.
- Print jobs stuck in queue: Cancel all jobs, clear the queue, and re-send documents. Restart Samsung Printer Center if needed.
- Driver conflicts after Windows Update: Update to the latest Samsung driver from the official site or rollback to a stable version.
- Scanning fails or blurry scans: Update scanner driver, ensure proper USB connection, and use Samsung Scan Manager for settings.
- High CPU or memory usage: Close unnecessary tasks, disable unused features, and update to the latest driver version.
- Printer not found after reinstall: Remove old drivers, reinstall Samsung Printer Driver, and re-add the printer via Settings → Bluetooth & devices or Printer & scanners.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Samsung Printer Center and cancel any stuck jobs
2. Restart the Windows Print Spooler service
3. Update Samsung driver from samsung.com
4. Reconnect USB or re-add network printers
5. Restart your PC if issues persist
Frequently Asked Questions
Is samsung-printer.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate samsung-printer.exe from Samsung is not a virus. Verify the path: C:\Program Files\Samsung\Printer\Driver and ensure the digital signature shows Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Why is samsung-printer.exe using so much CPU?
CPU spikes occur during active print/scan tasks or when a large print job is processed. If usage remains high when idle, check for driver updates and scan for malware.
Can I uninstall Samsung Printer Driver?
Yes, you can uninstall Samsung Printer Driver from Windows Settings → Apps or Control Panel. Your saved print queues may be removed unless you back them up.
How do I update Samsung printer drivers?
Visit the Samsung official website or use Samsung Printer Center to check for updates. Install the latest drivers and restart the computer after installation.
Why is my printer showing offline?
Check physical connections, ensure the printer is powered on, and verify the correct port. Reinstall or update drivers if the issue persists.
Can I disable samsung-printer.exe at startup?
Yes. Disable the Samsung Printer Service in Services.msc or disable the startup entry for the Samsung Printer Center to stop automatic launches.