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Fix Printer Not Printing – Printer Troubleshooting Guide | TroubleshootMyPrinter




How to Fix: Printer Not Printing

The printer appears connected and ready but fails to produce any output when print jobs are sent. This is a broad issue that can stem from print queue problems, driver conflicts, connection failures, or hardware malfunctions. This guide walks you through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to fix printer not printing on any printer, regardless of brand or model.

Common Causes

This problem is most often caused by one or more of the following:

  • Print jobs stuck in the print queue preventing new jobs from processing
  • Wrong printer selected as the default printing device
  • Corrupted or outdated printer drivers
  • USB cable or network connection failure
  • Ink or toner cartridges are empty, missing, or not recognized

Step-by-Step Solution

Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue. Test your printer after each step.

  1. Step 1: Open the print queue and cancel all pending print jobs, then try printing again
  2. Step 2: Verify the correct printer is selected as the default in your operating system’s printer settings
  3. Step 3: Restart the Print Spooler service on Windows (services.msc > Print Spooler > Restart)
  4. Step 4: Check the physical connection: ensure USB cable is firmly connected or test WiFi connectivity
  5. Step 5: Print a test page from the printer’s built-in menu to verify the hardware is functioning
  6. Step 6: Uninstall and reinstall the printer driver from the manufacturer’s website
  7. Step 7: Try printing from a different application to rule out software-specific issues

Brand-Specific Troubleshooting

Some printer brands require slightly different troubleshooting approaches. See the brand-specific guidance below.

Hp Printers

Run the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool which can automatically detect and fix most ‘not printing’ issues. HP printers may also stop printing if HP Instant Ink subscription has lapsed or if cartridges have been locked to another region.

For more Hp-specific troubleshooting, visit our Hp Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Epson Printers

Epson printers may stop printing if the waste ink pad counter is full, even with ink remaining. The Epson Status Monitor utility provides detailed diagnostics. On EcoTank models, ensure the ink valves were opened during initial setup.

For more Epson-specific troubleshooting, visit our Epson Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Canon Printers

Canon printers may stop printing when the ink absorber (waste ink tank) is nearly full. The Canon IJ Status Monitor shows real-time printer status. Try performing a cleaning cycle from the printer’s maintenance menu if print heads appear clogged.

For more Canon-specific troubleshooting, visit our Canon Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Brother Printers

Brother printers may stop printing when the drum unit reaches its rated page count, even if it still functions. The ‘Replace Drum’ message can halt printing. Also check that the paper size setting in the driver matches the actual loaded paper.

For more Brother-specific troubleshooting, visit our Brother Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Related Problems

Users experiencing printer not printing often encounter these related issues:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my printer connected but not printing anything?

The most common causes are stuck print jobs in the queue, the wrong default printer being selected, or a Print Spooler service issue. Start by clearing all jobs from the print queue, then restart the Print Spooler service. If the printer is network-connected, verify it has a valid IP address and try printing a test page from the printer’s own control panel.

Why does my printer receive the print job but nothing comes out?

If the printer acknowledges the job but produces no output, the issue is likely hardware-related. Check ink or toner levels, as empty cartridges will not produce visible output. On inkjet printers, the print heads may be severely clogged — run multiple cleaning cycles. On laser printers, the toner cartridge may need replacement or the transfer roller could be faulty.

How do I fix a printer that stopped printing after a Windows update?

Windows updates occasionally break printer drivers. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history to identify recent updates. Try rolling back the update, or download the latest printer driver from the manufacturer’s website. You may also need to remove the printer, delete the old driver from Print Server Properties, and re-add the printer with a fresh driver installation.

Need brand-specific help?

This guide covers the general fix. For model-specific instructions, find your printer brand below and navigate to your exact model for tailored troubleshooting steps.