If your printer won't print at all, the cause is usually the print queue, the default printer setting, the connection, or the driver. Here is how to work through each one.
Restart the printer and computer, clear the print queue, confirm the correct printer is set as default, check the connection, and reinstall the driver if the problem continues.
- Common Reasons This Happens
- Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
- 1. Restart the Printer
- 2. Check the Print Queue
- 3. Set the Correct Default Printer
- 4. Check the WiFi or USB Connection
- 5. Restart the Print Spooler
- 6. Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver
- 7. Check Ink or Toner Levels
- 8. Print a Test Page
- Quick Reference Table
- What If It's Still Not Fixed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Common Reasons my printer not printing
A stuck print queue
One failed job can block every job behind it, so nothing reaches the printer even though it looks ready.
The wrong default printer
If a second printer, a PDF tool, or a "fax" driver is set as default, your documents are sent to the wrong place.
A dropped connection
WiFi, USB, or network links can disconnect quietly without showing an obvious error.
An outdated or corrupted driver
Drivers can become mismatched after a Windows or macOS update, which silently blocks print jobs.
Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
- Confirm the printer is powered on and not showing a blinking error light.
- Check that paper is loaded and no error message is on the printer's own screen.
- Make sure the printer isn't marked "Paused" in your computer's printer settings.
1. Restart the Printer
Turn the printer off, unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears temporary memory errors that block printing.
2. Check the Print Queue
Open your printer queue and cancel any stuck jobs. A single failed document can freeze every job that follows.
3. Set the Correct Default Printer
Open your system's printer settings and confirm the printer you're trying to use is the one marked as default.
4. Check the WiFi or USB Connection
Reconnect the printer to your network, or unplug and replug the USB cable into a different port.
5. Restart the Print Spooler
On Windows, restarting the print spooler service clears a common background cause of printers that silently ignore jobs.
6. Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver
Remove the existing driver and reinstall the latest version compatible with your operating system.
7. Check Ink or Toner Levels
Some printers refuse to print entirely when a cartridge is empty, even for black-and-white jobs.
8. Print a Test Page
Use your system's built-in test page option to confirm whether the fix worked before returning to your document.
Quick Reference Table
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Try |
|---|---|---|
| Printer shows online but nothing prints | Stuck print queue | Clear the queue and resend the job |
| Job disappears instantly | Wrong default printer | Set the correct printer as default |
| Printer greyed out | Lost connection | Reconnect WiFi or USB |
| Error on driver load | Corrupted driver | Reinstall the driver |
What If It's Still Not Fixed?
If you've worked through every step above and the problem continues, it's worth checking a nearby cause rather than repeating the same steps. The guides below cover the most common related issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
People Also Ask
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Run several cleaning cycles, and if ink still won't flow, soak the printhead contacts in warm water for a stubborn dried clog. Read the full guide →
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Restart the print spooler service through Windows Services — this is the most reliable way to force-clear a job that won't delete. Read the full guide →
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Open your printer settings, disable "Use Printer Offline," restart the printer, and reconnect it to your WiFi network if needed. Read the full guide →
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Remove the printer completely, download the latest driver from the manufacturer's support page, and reinstall it manually. Read the full guide →