Printer Not Printing? 10 Fixes That Actually Work

If your printer is not printing, the problem may occur even when the printer is turned on and appears ready. You may send a document to print but nothing happens, the job may remain stuck in the queue, or the computer may be unable to communicate with the printer.

A printer won't print for several possible reasons, including connection problems, an offline status, an incorrect printer selection, stuck print jobs, paper or ink issues, or printer software problems. Instead of changing multiple settings at once, work through the following troubleshooting steps in order.

Why Is My Printer Not Printing?

If you are asking why is my printer not printing, first determine whether the problem is with the printer itself or communication between the printer and your computer.

Common causes include:

• The printer is turned off, sleeping, or showing an error.
• The printer is offline or disconnected.
• A document is stuck in the print queue.
• The wrong printer is selected.
• The paper tray is empty or paper is jammed.
• Ink or toner needs attention.
• The USB or WiFi connection has been interrupted.
• The printer driver or software is not working correctly.

How to Fix a Printer That Is Not Printing

Start with the simplest checks below. After each step, try printing a small test document. If printing starts working again, you can stop troubleshooting instead of making unnecessary changes.

1. Check the Printer Power and Error Status

Make sure the printer is switched on and has completed its startup process. If it has a display, check for an error message. Also look for warning or status lights that may indicate a paper, cartridge, cover, or connection problem.

If the printer is sleeping, wake it and wait until it becomes ready. Resolve any visible printer error before troubleshooting the computer.

2. Check Whether the Printer Is Offline

A computer cannot normally send a print job successfully when the selected printer is offline or unavailable. Open your printer settings and check the current status of the device.

If you see an offline status, use our Printer Offline troubleshooting guide to check the printer connection, queue, network, and computer settings before returning to this guide.

3. Check the USB or WiFi Connection

For a USB printer, make sure the cable is firmly connected to both the printer and computer. If the connection appears loose, reconnect it and allow the computer a moment to detect the printer.

For a wireless printer, verify that the printer is connected to the intended WiFi network. The computer and printer should normally be able to communicate over the same local network.

If your printer won't connect to WiFi at all, follow our Printer Won't Connect to WiFi guide for wireless password, router, signal, and network troubleshooting.

4. Check the Paper Tray and Paper Path

Make sure compatible paper is loaded correctly in the input tray. Adjust the paper guides so they hold the paper properly without bending or squeezing it.

Check for a visible paper jam or partially fed sheet. If paper is jammed, remove it carefully according to the printer's instructions. Do not pull internal components or force paper through the mechanism.

5. Check Ink or Toner Status

If the printer has ink but is not printing, do not assume immediately that the cartridges are defective. Check the printer's ink or toner status and look for any cartridge-related message on its display or computer software.

Make sure cartridges are installed correctly and that no cartridge warning requires attention. If you recently installed a cartridge, verify that it is appropriate for the exact printer model and has been installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

6. Clear Stuck Print Jobs

A failed print job can block everything behind it. Open the printer's print queue on your computer and check for documents showing an error, paused status, or no progress.

Cancel jobs that are clearly stuck, close the queue, and then send a simple test document. Avoid repeatedly sending the same document because this can create additional jobs in an already blocked queue.

7. Make Sure the Correct Printer Is Selected

Computers may contain multiple printer entries, including older installations, virtual printers, or duplicate versions of the same physical device.

When printing, check the printer selection carefully. Make sure the document is being sent to the printer you actually want to use. If appropriate, select the correct device as your preferred or default printer.

8. Restart the Printer and Computer

Turn the printer off normally and restart your computer. Turn the printer back on and wait until it becomes ready before sending another print job.

Restarting can clear temporary communication problems and refresh the connection between the operating system and printer without requiring major configuration changes.

9. Check the Printer Driver or Software

If the connection and printer status look normal but the printer still won't print from the computer, check the installed printer software or driver.

Use software intended for the exact printer model and operating system. When a driver update or reinstallation is necessary, obtain the appropriate software from the printer manufacturer's official resources rather than unknown third-party download websites.

10. Remove and Add the Printer Again

If the printer remains available but refuses to print after the previous checks, removing the affected printer entry and adding it again may rebuild its connection with the computer.

Before removing the printer, make sure it is powered on and connected through USB or the correct WiFi network. Remove only the affected printer entry, then use your operating system's printer setup feature to add it again.

Once the printer has been added, send a small test document to check whether printing has been restored.

Printer Connected but Not Printing

A printer connected but not printing usually means the connection is only one part of the problem. Even when the computer detects the printer, a paused queue, incorrect printer selection, device error, or failed print job can prevent output.

Check the printer status, clear the queue, verify that the correct printer is selected, and inspect the printer itself for paper or cartridge errors.

Printer Not Printing From Computer or Laptop

If the printer is not printing from a computer or laptop, first check whether the printer can be detected by the operating system. Then confirm that the correct printer is selected when you open the Print dialog.

If other devices can print successfully but one computer cannot, the issue is more likely related to that computer's printer configuration, queue, connection, or software than to the printer hardware itself.

Printer Won't Print After a WiFi Change

If printing stopped after changing your router, network name, or WiFi password, the printer may no longer be connected to the same network as your computer.

Reconnect the printer using the current wireless network information. If the printer cannot join the network, see our wireless printer connection troubleshooting guide.

Printer Not Printing After an Update

If the printer won't print after an update, restart both the computer and printer before reinstalling anything. Then check whether the printer is still detected and whether the correct device remains selected.

If printer software needs to be updated or reinstalled, use software appropriate for your current operating system and exact printer model. Avoid changing unrelated system settings unless you have identified them as the cause.

Printer Is Printing Blank Pages

A printer that feeds paper but produces blank pages is different from a printer that does not respond to a print command. Check the ink or toner status, cartridge installation, and any maintenance options provided for the printer.

If the printer has a built-in test or diagnostic print option, it can help determine whether the issue exists inside the printer or only when printing from the computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my printer connected but not printing?

The printer may be connected while a print job is stuck, the wrong printer is selected, the queue is paused, or the printer itself has an error. Check both the computer's print queue and the printer's status.

Why won't my printer print even though it has ink?

Having ink does not guarantee that the printer is ready to print. Check cartridge installation, printer errors, the paper supply, print queue, connection, and selected printer before assuming that ink is the cause.

Why is my wireless printer not printing?

Check whether the printer is still connected to the correct WiFi network and whether the computer can communicate with it. If the wireless connection has failed completely, troubleshoot the WiFi connection first.

Why are my documents stuck in the print queue?

A failed document, communication interruption, paused printer, or printer error can stop the queue. Cancel clearly stuck jobs, resolve any printer error, and then send a new test document.

Should I reinstall my printer every time it stops printing?

No. Start with power, printer status, connection, paper, ink or toner, print queue, and printer selection. Removing and reinstalling the printer should generally come after these simpler checks.

Final Checks

When your printer is not printing, start by checking the printer itself before making major software changes. Confirm that it is powered on, free of errors, connected correctly, loaded with paper, and using the appropriate ink or toner.

Next, check the print queue and make sure the correct printer is selected. If the device shows an offline status, follow our Printer Offline guide. If the printer cannot join your wireless network, use our Printer Won't Connect to WiFi guide. These checks help separate a printing problem from an offline or wireless connection problem.