Weird print queue issue

I have a print queue that prints fine. That is only if i have the actual print queue window open on the server.

If i don't have it open. The jobs queue up and don't print. They stay there happily and the printer never tells me that there is an error. As SOON as i open the print queue the first job in the list spools and then prints and the rest follow as if no problem occurred. This can be replicated as soon as i close down the Print queue window. Now i don't even know where to start with this one.

I haven't re-created the print queue yet but that is my next port of call after i test the print spooler but it seems that this works fine as the jobs print immediately so it must be sitting there waiting. Then i will re-install printer drivers.

Anyone seen this before and know exactly what it is before i start messing with things that work-ish.

I have had this before - not sure what I did, but the printer just sorted itself out.

Is this printer installed on a server operating system? What one?

I think that it is to do with the computer not recognising that it has a print job, as it didn't process itself, but when the print queue is open it sees that it has jobs to process.

Has the print spooler service somehow managed to interact with the desktop?