10 Things to Try When Your Printer Won’t Print

Most likely, it’s one of these issues

Printers experience several forms of malfunctions, some of which are easy to fix. Fixing printer issues can be a headache—especially on Windows devices—because there’s a wide range of things that could be wrong.

The problem could stem from your PC, the printer, or the connection between both devices. This tutorial highlights ten likely troubleshooting measures for printers that won’t print.

1. Check Paper Tray and Printer Connection

Many printer models won’t print if there’s a loose USB connection or if they’re out of ink or paper. Verify your printer’s ink levels, clean the printhead, fill the paper tray, and avoid using substandard paper. Low-quality paper can cause“Ghost Paper Jams” and other issuesthat stop your printer from printing documents.

For printers using a wired connection, ensure both cable ends are plugged firmly into your printer and computer. Go through the printer’s manual for instructions on connecting the device to your Windows or Mac computer.

Wireless printers won’t print documents if connected to the wrong Wi-Fi network. Make sure your printer and computer are on the same wireless network. Likewise, check your router settings, disable VPN connections, and make the printer’s IP address static. Refer to our tutorial ontroubleshooting Wi-Fi (wireless) printersfor more fixes.

2. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

Windows has a suite of troubleshooting tools that diagnoses and resolves hardware and software problems. We recommend running the Printer Troubleshooter before trying other more complex measures.

In Windows 10, go toSettings>Devices>Printers & scanners.

Note:If your printer status reads “Offline,” refer to ourtroubleshooting tutorial on getting an offline printer back online. Proceed to the next step if your printer is online.

There’s another way to access the printer troubleshooter in Windows 11. Go toSettings>System>Troubleshoot>Other troubleshootersand selectRunnext to “Printer.”

In Windows 10, go toSettings>Update & Security>Troubleshootand selectAdditional troubleshooters>Printer> and selectRun the troubleshooter.

Wait for the troubleshooter to run the necessary check on the printer, its drivers, and other associated processes.

3. Set the Printer As Default

Windows has a feature that dynamically changes your PC’s default printing device based on your location and other factors. The feature is near-perfect but not failproof. If your PC doesn’t print documents, it might be that an inactive printer is the default printing device.

macOS also sets the last printer connected as your Mac’s default printer. Check your computer settings and ensure the active printer is the default device.

In Windows, go toSettings>Bluetooth & devices>Printers & scanners, select the printer, and select theSet as defaultbutton.

On Mac computers, go toSystem Preferences>Printers & Scanners on Mac computers, right-click the printer, and selectSet default printer. Alternatively, open theDefault printerdrop-down menu and select the printer as the default.

4. Clear Your Computer’s Print Queue

When you send a document for printing, your computer first sends the “print job” to the print queue. The print job is immediately removed from the print queue when the printer prints the document. It’s usually a seamless process, but there are times when completed print jobs remain in the queue.

If that happens, subsequent print jobs will also get stuck in the queue and prevent your printer from printing files. Clearing your computer’s print queue might resolve the problem.

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Try printing any document or a test page and check if clearing the queue fixed the problem. Open the printer menu and selectPrint test page.

If completed documents remain in the print queue, refer to ourtroubleshooting tutorial on deleting stuck print jobs in Windows.

5. Update Printer Driver

Your printer might not receive print jobs from your PC if its driver is corrupt or outdated. Although Windows automatically installs driver updates, some factors (e.g., a metered internet connection) may prevent that from happening. Here’s how to manually install a driver from your computer or the internet.

Check the printer’s manufacturer website and download the latest driver updates for your printer model. Plug the printer into your computer and follow the steps below.

Alternatively, selectBrowser my computer for driversto manually install a driver you downloaded from the printer manufacturer’s website. Afterward, chooseBrowse, navigate to the driver’s location on your PC, and selectNextto install the update.

We recommend configuring Windows to automatically download drivers for your printer, especially if you’re using a metered connection.

Go toSettings>Bluetooth & devices>Printers & scannersand toggle onDownload drivers and device software over metered connections.

If the Device Manager says the printer’s driver is up-to-date, check the manufacturer’s website for confirmation. You’ll find driver update history in the “Download,” “Software,” or “Drivers” section of the printer manufacturer’s website. Contact the manufacturer if you don’t know how to find, install, or update your printer’s driver update.

6. Reboot Your Devices

Power-cycling your printer and computer can help both devices re-establish a connection. Unplug your printer’s power cord and shut down your computer. Remember to close any open apps or documents so you don’t lose unsaved changes.

Restart both devices, connect your printer to your PC, and check if you can now print documents.

7. Reinstall Printer Driver

Reinstalling a faulty or corrupt driver can resolve issues causing your printer to malfunction. The operation entailsdeleting or uninstalling the printer driver, restarting your computer, and installing it from scratch. Note that this operation may affect any customizations made on the printer’s settings and preferences on your computer.

You should also remove the printer from your PC’s memory.

Restart Windows and reconnect the printer to your computer. Windows should automatically install the printer’s driver when it connects to your PC.

8. Restart the Printer Spooler

Printer Spooler is the system service that manages printers and print jobs on Windows devices. Temporary system glitches canaffect the Printer Spooler’s performanceand trigger printing-related problems. Restarting the print spooler service can restore the service to normalcy.

9. Update Your Computer

Asides from fixing software bugs, Windows Updates also updates outdated or buggy drivers. Head to the Windows Updates menu and install the latest Windows build or security patches available for your computer.

In Windows 11, go toSettings>Windows Updateand wait for Windows to check for updates. You may need to restart your computer if Windows has already downloaded the update. SelectRestart nowto update and reboot your computer.

In Windows 10, head toSettings>Updates & Security>Windows Updateand selectCheck for updates. Make sure your computer has an internet connection.

In macOS, go toSystem Preferences>Software Updatesand selectUpdate Now(orUpgrade Now).

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10. Run the Printer’s Utility Software

HP has aPrint and Scan Doctor utility(HP Smart for Mac) that diagnoses problems with HP printers. The tool can detect empty ink cartridges, outdated driver software, blocked nozzles, print feed errors, and other printer problems.

Samsung Printer Experienceis the utility that manages Samsung printers. The app has loads of troubleshooting guides for printing problems on Samsung printers. TheCanon Inkjet Print Utilityis also available for Canon inkjet printers.

Download and install your printer’s utility software on your computer and run the tool according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pay Attention to Physical Indicators

Printers have status lights or LCD screens that display error codes. These lights point out the root cause of some printing issues. Check the printer’s instruction manual to learn what the indicator lights and error codes mean and their respective solutions. Contact the printer manufacturer if your printer still won’t print after running these troubleshooting measures.

Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio

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10 Things to Try When Your Printer Won’t Print#

1. Check Paper Tray and Printer Connection#

2. Run the Printer Troubleshooter#

3. Set the Printer As Default#

4. Clear Your Computer’s Print Queue#

5. Update Printer Driver#

6. Reboot Your Devices#

7. Reinstall Printer Driver#

8. Restart the Printer Spooler#

9. Update Your Computer#

10. Run the Printer’s Utility Software#

Pay Attention to Physical Indicators#

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