Fix Printer Won’t Print from Computer in Windows 11/10

When a printer is connected to a Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer but does not print, the problem can be caused by several things. Windows may show the printer as offline, the print queue may be stuck, the printer may not be selected as the default device, or the Print Spooler service may have stopped working.

Sometimes the printer itself works correctly, but the computer cannot send the print job to it. This can happen with USB printers as well as wireless and network printers.

Fortunately, Windows includes several built-in tools that can help identify and fix printing problems. Start with the simpler methods and move to the more advanced solutions if the printer still refuses to print.

Method 1: Check the Printer Connection

Before changing Windows settings, make sure the printer is properly connected.

For a USB printer:

1. Turn on the printer.
2. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
3. Wait a few seconds.
4. Connect the cable again.
5. Try printing a document.

If possible, connect the printer directly to the computer instead of using a USB hub.

For a wireless printer:

1. Make sure the printer is powered on.
2. Check the printer’s Wi-Fi status.
3. Make sure the computer is connected to the same network.
4. Try printing again.

Also check the printer’s display for error messages such as low paper, paper jam, low ink, or cartridge problems.

Method 2: Check Whether Windows Detects the Printer

Windows may not be communicating correctly with the printer.

To check the printer:

1. Press Windows + I.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices.
3. Select Printers & scanners.
4. Select your printer.
5. Check its current status.

If the printer is not listed, select Add device and allow Windows to search for available printers.

If Windows finds the printer, add it and try printing again.

If the printer is already listed but does not respond, continue with the next methods.

Method 3: Check the Printer Status and Print Queue

A stuck print job can prevent new documents from printing.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Select your printer.
4. Open the print queue.
5. Check whether documents are waiting to print.
6. Cancel documents that are stuck.
7. Send a new print job.

If several old documents are stuck in the queue, cancel all of them before trying again.

You can also restart the computer and printer after clearing the queue.

Method 4: Set the Correct Printer as Default

If Windows is sending documents to another printer, your selected printer may appear to be working while nothing comes out.

To select the correct default printer:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices.
3. Select Printers & scanners.
4. Select the printer you want to use.
5. Select Set as default.

If Windows manages your default printer automatically, turn off the option that allows Windows to manage the default printer if necessary.

After selecting the correct printer as default, open your document and try printing again.

Method 5: Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler is a Windows service responsible for managing print jobs. If it becomes stuck or stops running, printers may stop printing.

To restart it:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

services.msc

3. Press Enter.
4. Find Print Spooler.
5. Right-click it.
6. Select Restart.

If the service is stopped, right-click Print Spooler and select Start.

You can also open its properties and make sure the startup type is appropriate for normal Windows operation.

After restarting the service, try sending a document to the printer again.

Method 6: Clear the Print Spooler Manually

If restarting Print Spooler does not solve the problem, a stuck print queue may need to be cleared manually.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

services.msc

3. Press Enter.
4. Find Print Spooler.
5. Right-click it and select Stop.

Next, open File Explorer and go to:

C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

Delete the files inside this folder.

Do not delete the PRINTERS folder itself.

Then return to the Services window.

6. Right-click Print Spooler.
7. Select Start.
8. Try printing again.

This removes print jobs that may have become corrupted or stuck.

Method 7: Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

A damaged, incompatible, or outdated printer driver can prevent Windows from communicating correctly with the printer.

To check the driver:

1. Right-click the Start button.
2. Select Device Manager.
3. Expand the printer-related section.
4. Locate your printer.
5. Right-click it.
6. Select Update driver.
7. Follow the instructions provided by Windows.

If updating does not help, you can uninstall the printer device and allow Windows to detect it again.

For some printers, installing the latest driver provided by the printer manufacturer may be necessary.

After reinstalling the driver, restart the computer and test the printer.

Method 8: Remove and Add the Printer Again

If Windows detects the printer but communication remains broken, removing and adding it again can rebuild the printer configuration.

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices.
3. Select Printers & scanners.
4. Select the affected printer.
5. Select Remove.
6. Confirm the removal.
7. Restart the computer.
8. Return to Printers & scanners.
9. Select Add device.
10. Allow Windows to search for the printer.
11. Add the printer again.

For a wireless printer, make sure it is connected to the network before adding it.

For a USB printer, connect the printer when Windows asks you to or after the device setup begins.

Check the Printer Itself

If Windows appears to send the document successfully but the printer does nothing, check the printer’s physical status.

Make sure there is paper in the tray and that there are no paper-jam warnings. Check the ink or toner level and look for warning lights or messages on the printer.

If the printer has a built-in test or configuration page option, try printing that page directly from the printer.

If the printer cannot print its own test page, the problem may be with the printer itself rather than Windows.

Try Printing a Test Page

A Windows test page can help determine whether Windows is communicating with the printer.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Select the printer.
4. Open the available printer properties or management options.
5. Look for the option to print a test page.
6. Select it.

If the test page prints correctly but a particular application does not print, the problem may be related to that application or document.

If Windows cannot print the test page either, continue checking the printer connection, queue, driver, and Print Spooler.

Conclusion

A printer that will not print from a Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer can usually be traced to a connection problem, stuck print queue, incorrect printer selection, Print Spooler issue, or printer driver problem.

Start by checking the physical printer and its connection. Then make sure Windows detects the correct printer and clear any stuck documents from the print queue. Restarting the Print Spooler is another effective solution when Windows appears unable to process print jobs.

If the problem continues, update or reinstall the printer driver, or remove and add the printer again. For wireless printers, also verify that the computer and printer are connected to the appropriate network.

FAQs

1. Why is my printer connected but not printing?

The print queue may be stuck, the Print Spooler may have stopped, the wrong printer may be selected, or the printer driver may have a problem.

2. How do I restart Print Spooler in Windows?

Press Windows + R, enter services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.

3. How do I clear a stuck printer queue?

Open the printer’s queue and cancel the pending documents. If they cannot be removed, stop the Print Spooler service, clear the files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, and start Print Spooler again.

4. Should I remove and reinstall my printer?

Yes. If the printer is detected by Windows but repeatedly fails to print, removing it from Printers & scanners and adding it again can rebuild its configuration and resolve communication problems.

Quick Summary

• Check the printer’s power, paper, connection, and error messages.
• Clear stuck documents from the print queue.
• Restart the Print Spooler service.
• Update or reinstall the printer driver if necessary.