<%NUMBERING1%>.<%NUMBERING2%>.<%NUMBERING3%> PRTG Manual: Windows Print Queue Sensor

The Windows Print Queue sensor reads the print queue on the parent device and returns the number of jobs in the print queue. It can monitor queues for all printers that are locally installed.

i_round_blueYou can use this sensor to monitor all print queues on your Windows print server and to retrieve information about all available jobs that are in the queue longer than defined.

i_round_blueAdditionally, this sensor can change to a defined status if there is a printer problem. See section Sensor Settings for available parameters.

i_square_cyanFor a detailed list and descriptions of the channels that this sensor can show, see section Channel List.

Windows Print Queue Sensor

Windows Print Queue Sensor

Sensor in Other Languages

  • Dutch: Windows Print Queue
  • French: File d'attente d'impression Windows
  • German: Windows Druckwarteschlange
  • Japanese: Windows プリントキュー
  • Portuguese: Windows Fila de impressão
  • Russian: Очередь печати Windows
  • Simplified Chinese: Windows 打印队列
  • Spanish: Queue de impresión Windows

Remarks

  • This sensor has a high performance impact. Use it with care. We recommend that you use no more than 200 sensors of this sensor type on each probe.
  • This sensor requires that the Print Spooler Windows service runs on the target device.
  • This sensor requires .NET 4.7.2 or later on the probe system. If the sensor shows the error PE087, additionally install .NET 3.5 on the probe system.
  • We recommend Windows 2012 R2 on the probe system for best performance of this sensor.
  • This sensor supports the IPv6 protocol.
  • You can add a change trigger to this sensor to get a notification when the number of jobs in the queue changes.

i_podYou cannot add this sensor to the hosted probe of a PRTG Hosted Monitor instance. If you want to use this sensor, add it to a remote probe device.

Detailed Requirements

Requirement

Description

.NET Framework

This sensor requires the Microsoft .NET Framework. .NET 4.7.2 or later must be installed on the probe system (on every cluster node, if on a cluster probe).

i_round_redIf the framework is missing, you cannot create this sensor.

i_square_cyanFor more information, see the Knowledge Base: Which .NET version does PRTG require?

Windows credentials

This sensor requires credentials for Windows systems in the settings of the parent device. Preferably, use Windows domain credentials.

i_round_redIf you use local credentials, make sure that the same Windows user accounts (with the same user name and password) exist on both the probe system and the target computer. Otherwise, the sensor cannot correctly connect.

Print Spooler service

For this sensor to work, the Spooler "Print Spooler" service must be started on the target computer.

To enable the service, log in to the respective computer and open the services manager (for example, via services.msc). In the list, find the respective service and set its Start Type to Automatic.

Add Sensor

The Add Sensor dialog appears when you manually add a new sensor to a device. It only shows the settings that are required to create the sensor. Therefore, you do not see all settings in this dialog. You can change nearly all settings on the sensor's Settings tab after creation.

i_round_blueThe settings that you select in the Add Sensor dialog are valid for all sensors that you create when you finish the dialog.

Sensor Settings

Setting

Description

Print Queues

Select the print queues that you want to monitor. PRTG creates one sensor for each print queue that you select.

i_round_blueIf no print queues are available, you see a corresponding message.

i_round_blueIf a printer name changes after sensor creation, you need to add the sensor anew.

i_round_blueAdd check marks in front of the respective lines to select the items. Use the check box in the table header to select all items or to cancel the selection. In large tables, use the search function in the upper-right corner.

Basic Sensor Settings

Click the Settings tab of a sensor to change its settings.

Basic Sensor Settings

Basic Sensor Settings

Setting

Description

Sensor Name

Enter a meaningful name to identify the sensor. By default, PRTG shows this name in the device tree, as well as in alarms, logs, notifications, reports, maps, libraries, and tickets.

i_round_blueIf the name contains angle brackets (<>), PRTG replaces them with braces ({}) for security reasons. For more information, see the Knowledge Base: What security features does PRTG include?

Parent Tags

Shows tags that the sensor inherits from its parent device, parent group, and parent probe.

i_round_blueThis setting is for your information only. You cannot change it.

Tags

Enter one or more tags. Confirm each tag with the Spacebar key, a comma, or the Enter key. You can use tags to group objects and use tag-filtered views later on. Tags are not case-sensitive. Tags are automatically inherited.

i_round_blueIt is not possible to enter tags with a leading plus (+) or minus (-) sign, nor tags with parentheses (()) or angle brackets (<>).

i_round_blueFor performance reasons, it can take some minutes until you can filter for new tags that you added.

The sensor has the following default tags that are automatically predefined in the sensor's settings when you add the sensor:

  • ptfsensor

Priority

Select a priority for the sensor. This setting determines the position of the sensor in lists. The highest priority is at the top of a list. Choose from the lowest priority (i_priority_1) to the highest priority (i_priority_5).

i_round_blueUsually, a sensor connects to the IP Address or DNS Name of the parent device. See the device settings for details. For some sensors, you can explicitly define the monitoring target in the sensor settings.

Sensor Settings

Sensor Settings

Sensor Settings

Setting

Description

Print Queue

Shows the name of the task whose print queue this sensor monitors.

i_round_bluePRTG shows this value for reference purposes only. If you need to change this value, add the sensor anew.

Advanced Status Options

You can optionally define specific sensor states for several return messages of the printer that this sensor monitors. Choose between:

  • Do not define sensor states for specific return messages: Do not define sensor states for specific return messages.
  • Define sensor states for specific return messages: Define sensor states for various messages that the printer reports.

i_round_blueNot all printer types properly support Advanced Status Options, which might lead to false alerts. If the printer does not support a property, this property is always false. This means that the sensor cannot display the state or detect if the printer supports the property. Even if the printer can report a property, it can only do so if a print job is sent to the printer.

Door Open

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Manual Feed Required

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Needs User Intervention

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Offline

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Out of Memory

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Out of Paper

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Paper Jammed

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Paper Problem

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Paused

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Printer Error

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Printer Not Available

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Toner Low

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Toner Out

This setting is only available if you select the Define sensor states for specific return messages above. For each problem that the printer reports, you can define the status that the sensor shows. Choose between:

  • Ignore: Stay the same if the printer reports this message.
  • Warning: Show the Warning status if the printer reports this message.
  • Down: Show the Down status if the printer reports this message.

Minimum Print Job Age (Sec.)

Optionally define the age of the print job in seconds. If you define a minimum print job age, the sensor does not regard jobs that are younger than this value. If you leave this field empty, the sensor does not check for the print job age. Enter an integer value or leave the field empty.

Debug Options

Debug Options

Debug Options

Setting

Description

Result Handling

Define what PRTG does with the sensor result:

  • Discard result: Do not store the sensor result.
  • Store result: Store the last sensor result in the \Logs\sensors subfolder of the PRTG data directory on the probe system. The file names are Result of Sensor [ID].txt and Result of Sensor [ID].Data.txt. This setting is for debugging purposes. PRTG overwrites these files with each scanning interval.

i_round_blueIn a cluster, PRTG stores the result in the PRTG data directory of the master node.

Sensor Display

Sensor Display

Sensor Display

Setting

Description

Primary Channel

Select a channel from the list to define it as the primary channel. In the device tree, the last value of the primary channel is always displayed below the sensor's name. The available options depend on what channels are available for this sensor.

i_round_blueYou can set a different primary channel later by clicking b_channel_primary below a channel gauge on the sensor's Overview tab.

Graph Type

Define how different channels are shown for this sensor:

  • Show channels independently (default): Show a graph for each channel.
  • Stack channels on top of each other: Stack channels on top of each other to create a multi-channel graph. This generates a graph that visualizes the different components of your total traffic.
    i_round_redYou cannot use this option in combination with manual Vertical Axis Scaling (available in the channel settings).

Stack Unit

This setting is only visible if you enable Stack channels on top of each other as Graph Type. Select a unit from the list. All channels with this unit are stacked on top of each other. By default, you cannot exclude single channels from stacking if they use the selected unit. However, there is an advanced procedure to do so.

Inherited Settings

By default, all of the following settings are inherited from objects that are higher in the hierarchy. We recommend that you change them centrally in the root group settings if necessary. To change a setting for this object only, click b_inherited_enabled under the corresponding setting name to disable the inheritance and to display its options.

i_square_cyanFor more information, see section Inheritance of Settings.

Scanning Interval

Click b_inherited_enabled to interrupt the inheritance.

Scanning Interval

Scanning Interval

Setting

Description

Scanning Interval

Select a scanning interval from the dropdown list. The scanning interval determines the amount of time that the sensor waits between two scans. Choose from:

  • 30 seconds
  • 60 seconds
  • 5 minutes
  • 10 minutes
  • 15 minutes
  • 30 minutes
  • 1 hour
  • 4 hours
  • 6 hours
  • 12 hours
  • 24 hours

i_round_blueYou can change the available intervals in the system administration on PRTG on premises installations.

If a Sensor Query Fails

Select the number of scanning intervals that the sensor has time to reach and to check a device again if a sensor query fails. Depending on the option that you select, the sensor can try to reach and to check a device again several times before the sensor shows the Down status. This can avoid false alarms if the monitored device only has temporary issues. For previous scanning intervals with failed requests, the sensor shows the Warning status. Choose from:

  • Set sensor to down immediately: Set the sensor to the Down status immediately after the first request fails.
  • Set sensor to warning for 1 interval, then set to down (recommended): Set the sensor to the Warning status after the first request fails. If the second request also fails, the sensor shows the Down status.
  • Set sensor to warning for 2 intervals, then set to down: Set the sensor to the Down status only after the third request fails.
  • Set sensor to warning for 3 intervals, then set to down: Set the sensor to the Down status only after the fourth request fails.
  • Set sensor to warning for 4 intervals, then set to down: Set the sensor to the Down status only after the fifth request fails.
  • Set sensor to warning for 5 intervals, then set to down: Set the sensor to the Down status only after the sixth request fails.

i_round_blueSensors that monitor via Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) always wait at least one scanning interval before they show the Down status. It is not possible to immediately set a WMI sensor to the Down status, so the first option does not apply to these sensors. All other options can apply.

i_round_blueIf you define error limits for a sensor's channels, the sensor immediately shows the Down status. None of the interval options apply.

i_round_blueIf a channel uses lookup values, the sensor immediately shows the Down status. None of the interval options apply.

Schedules, Dependencies, and Maintenance Windows

i_round_blueYou cannot interrupt the inheritance for schedules, dependencies, and maintenance windows. The corresponding settings from the parent objects are always active. However, you can define additional schedules, dependencies, and maintenance windows. They are active at the same time as the parent objects' settings.

Schedules, Dependencies, and Maintenance Windows

Schedules, Dependencies, and Maintenance Windows

Setting

Description

Schedule

Select a schedule from the list. You can use schedules to monitor during a certain time span (days or hours) every week. Choose from:

  • None
  • Saturdays
  • Sundays
  • Weekdays
  • Weekdays Eight-To-Eight (08:00 - 20:00)
  • Weekdays Nights (17:00 - 09:00)
  • Weekdays Nights (20:00 - 08:00)
  • Weekdays Nine-To-Five (09:00 - 17:00)
  • Weekends

i_round_blueYou can create schedules, edit schedules, or pause monitoring for a specific time span. For more information, see section Schedules.

Maintenance Window

Select if you want to set up a one-time maintenance window. During a maintenance window, monitoring stops for the selected object and all child objects. They show the Paused status instead. Choose between:

  • Do not set up a one-time maintenance window: Do not set up a one-time maintenance window. Monitoring is always active.
  • Set up a one-time maintenance window: Set up a one-time maintenance window and pause monitoring. You can define a time span for the pause below.

i_round_blueTo terminate an active maintenance window before the defined end date, change the time entry in Maintenance Ends to a date in the past.

Maintenance Begins

This setting is only visible if you enable Set up a one-time maintenance window above. Use the date time picker to enter the start date and time of the one-time maintenance window.

Maintenance Ends

This setting is only visible if you enable Set up a one-time maintenance window above. Use the date time picker to enter the end date and time of the one-time maintenance window.

Dependency Type

Select a dependency type. You can use dependencies to pause monitoring for an object depending on the status of a different object. You can choose from:

  • Use parent: Use the dependency type of the parent object.
  • Select a sensor: Use the dependency type of the parent object. Additionally, pause the current object if a specific sensor is in the Down status or in the Paused status because of another dependency.
  • Master sensor for parent: Make this sensor the master object for its parent device. The sensor influences the behavior of its parent device: If the sensor is in the Down status, the device is paused. For example, it is a good idea to make a Ping sensor the master object for its parent device to pause monitoring for all other sensors on the device in case the device cannot even be pinged. Additionally, the sensor is paused if the parent group is paused by another dependency.

i_round_blueTo test your dependencies, select Simulate Error Status from the context menu of an object that other objects depend on. A few seconds later, all dependent objects are paused. You can check all dependencies under Devices | Dependencies in the main menu bar.

Dependency

This setting is only visible if you enable Select a sensor above. Click b_search_light and use the object selector to select a sensor on which the current object will depend.

Dependency Delay (Sec.)

This setting is only visible if you enable Select a sensor above. Define a time span in seconds for the dependency delay.

After the master sensor for this dependency returns to the Up status, PRTG additionally delays the monitoring of the dependent objects by the time span you define. This can prevent false alarms, for example, after a server restart or to give systems more time for all services to start. Enter an integer value.

i_round_redThis setting is not available if you set this sensor to Use parent or to be the Master sensor for parent. In this case, define delays in the parent device settings or in its parent group settings.

Access Rights

Click b_inherited_enabled to interrupt the inheritance.

Access Rights

Access Rights

Setting

Description

User Group Access

Define the user groups that have access to the sensor. You see a table with user groups and group access rights. The table contains all user groups in your setup. For each user group, you can choose from the following group access rights:

  • Inherited: Inherit the access rights settings of the parent object.
  • No access: Users in this user group cannot see or edit the sensor. The sensor neither shows up in lists nor in the device tree.
  • Read access: Users in this group can see the sensor and view its monitoring results. They cannot edit any settings.
  • Write access: Users in this group can see the sensor, view its monitoring results, and edit its settings. They cannot edit its access rights settings.
  • Full access: Users in this group can see the sensor, view its monitoring results, edit its settings, and edit its access rights settings.

i_square_cyanFor more details on access rights, see section Access Rights Management.

Channel List

i_round_blueWhich channels the sensor actually shows might depend on the monitored device, the available components, and the sensor setup.

Channel

Description

Downtime

In the channel table on the Overview tab, this channel never shows any values. PRTG uses this channel in graphs and reports to show the amount of time in which the sensor was in the Down status in percent.

Execution Time

The execution time in milliseconds (msec)

Jobs

The number of jobs in the queue

i_round_blueThis channel is the primary channel by default.

More

i_square_blueKNOWLEDGE BASE

Which .NET version does PRTG require?

What security features does PRTG include?

Sensor Settings Overview

For more information about sensor settings, see the following sections: