SK0-005 troubleshooting Practice Question
Exhibit
Log Name: System Source: Service Control Manager Date: 4/12/2025 3:15:42 PM Event ID: 7000 Level: Error Computer: SRV-APP12.contoso.com Description: The Print Spooler service failed to start due to the following error: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.
Refer to the exhibit. The Print Spooler service on a critical Windows Server 2019 fails to start at every boot. The server was recently updated with the latest cumulative patch. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A service on which the Print Spooler depends is not starting
Event ID 7000 with a timeout error strongly suggests a dependency service is not starting correctly. The Print Spooler depends on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service among others; a recent patch may have altered the startup configuration of a dependency. The Print Spooler runs under the LocalSystem account, so password expiration is not a factor. A corrupt driver usually causes the service to crash after starting, not a timeout. Insufficient disk space would generate a different error.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The system drive has insufficient free space
Why it's wrong here
Low disk space would cause a specific error related to disk, not a service timeout.
- ✓
A service on which the Print Spooler depends is not starting
Why this is correct
Timeouts during service startup are often caused by a stalled or disabled dependency service, especially after OS updates.
- ✗
A recent printer driver update is corrupted
Why it's wrong here
A corrupt driver typically causes the spooler to crash after starting, not to time out during startup.
- ✗
The password for the service account has expired
Why it's wrong here
The Print Spooler uses the local system account, which does not have an expiring password.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Operating System Installation and Configuration
Key term
Service
A service is a software component or system that performs a specific function and is available to be used by other programs or users over a network.
Key term
Event
An event is any identifiable occurrence or action in a computer system, network, or application that can be logged, monitored, or analyzed for security or operational purposes.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed July 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This SK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SK0-005 exam.