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.

Quick Answer

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.

On This Page
  1. Common Reasons This Happens
  2. Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
  3. 1. Restart the Printer
  4. 2. Check the Print Queue
  5. 3. Set the Correct Default Printer
  6. 4. Check the WiFi or USB Connection
  7. 5. Restart the Print Spooler
  8. 6. Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver
  9. 7. Check Ink or Toner Levels
  10. 8. Print a Test Page
  11. Quick Reference Table
  12. What If It's Still Not Fixed?
  13. 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An outdated or corrupted driver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

Before you start:
  • 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

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

Reconnect the printer to your network, or unplug and replug the USB cable into a different port.

5. Restart the Print Spooler

5

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

6

Remove the existing driver and reinstall the latest version compatible with your operating system.

7. Check Ink or Toner Levels

7

Some printers refuse to print entirely when a cartridge is empty, even for black-and-white jobs.

8. Print a Test Page

8

Use your system's built-in test page option to confirm whether the fix worked before returning to your document.

Quick Reference Table

ProblemPossible CauseWhat 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.

Still stuck? Try describing the problem in your own words using the search bar — different symptoms of the same root cause are often covered on a related page.

Frequently Asked Questions

This usually means the job is stuck in the queue or the printer lost its connection after reporting its status as ready. Clear the queue and reconnect the printer.

The wrong printer may be set as default, or a security or firewall setting may be blocking the connection on a network printer.

Yes. A single corrupted job can block the entire queue until it is manually cancelled.

People Also Ask

  • Run a printhead cleaning cycle, check that cartridge protective tape and tabs were removed, and confirm ink levels before testing again. Read the full guide →
  • Uninstall the current driver from Device Manager, download the latest version from the manufacturer's site, then install and restart your computer. Read the full guide →
  • Open every access panel and check carefully for small torn paper fragments, then power cycle the printer to reset the jam sensor. Read the full guide →
  • Reinstall the printer's scanning software and confirm "Scan to Computer" is enabled in the printer's own utility settings. Read the full guide →

Related Guides

Why Is My Printer Connected but Not Printing? Why Is My Printer Offline? How Do I Clear a Stuck Print Queue? Why Does My Printer Say Driver Unavailable?