Printer won't print? A step-by-step fix
← All tech-support guidesMost printing problems are a stuck queue, an “offline” status, or a Wi-Fi printer that lost its connection. Work through these in order.
Quick checks (2 minutes)
- Power-cycle the printer: turn it off, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on.
- Look for the obvious: paper jam, empty tray, low or empty ink/toner, or a blinking error light.
- Pick the right printer when you hit Print, not "Microsoft Print to PDF" or an old printer you no longer use.
Clear a stuck print queue
- Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → your printer → Open print queue → cancel every document, then try again.
- Mac: System Settings → Printers & Scanners → your printer → Open Print Queue → delete the stuck jobs.
“Printer is offline”
- In that same print-queue window (Windows), make sure Use Printer Offline is not checked.
- Reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi, or check the USB cable is firmly in both ends.
- Restart both the printer and the computer.
Wi-Fi printer dropped off
- Confirm the printer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, not a guest network, and not the 5 GHz band if the printer only supports 2.4 GHz.
- Reboot your router.
- Re-run the printer's Wi-Fi setup from its screen or its phone app.
Still nothing? Reinstall the driver
Removing and reinstalling the printer (or its driver) clears most stubborn problems. This is a good point to get help so you install the correct driver and don't end up with three copies of the same printer.