Windows Featured

How to Fix Printer Not Working in Windows

✅ Quick Answer

Printer issues in Windows are usually caused by driver problems, connection issues, print spooler errors, or incorrect printer settings. The quickest fixes are to restart the Print Spooler service, reconnect the printer, update/reinstall drivers, and run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter. These steps fix most printer problems without losing your documents.

❓ Why Printers Stop Working in Windows?

A printer may stop working suddenly even if it was working yesterday. In most cases, Windows cannot communicate with the printer properly. This can happen due to:

Incorrect or outdated printer drivers
USB or network connection issues
Print Spooler service crashes
Paper jam, low ink, or printer errors
Windows update or system changes

In this guide, you will learn how to diagnose the problem and fix it step-by-step. Even beginners can follow these steps easily.

🔧 Fix 1: Restart the Print Spooler Service

Print Spooler is the Windows service that manages printing jobs. If it crashes, all print jobs will stop and your printer may appear offline.

Press Windows + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
Scroll to Print Spooler.
Right-click it and select Restart.
Now try printing again.

If the issue continues, move to the next fix.

Screenshot: Print Spooler service panel.

🔧 Fix 2: Run Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in printer troubleshooter that detects and fixes common printing issues.

Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot.
Click Other troubleshooters.
Find Printer and click Run.
Follow on-screen instructions.

The troubleshooter can fix printer queue errors, driver issues, and connectivity problems automatically.

🔧 Fix 3: Check Printer Connection (USB / Wi-Fi)

Connection issues are the most common reason for printers not working. Ensure the printer is properly connected and powered on.

If using USB: unplug the cable → wait 10 seconds → reconnect to another USB port.
If using Wi-Fi: make sure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.
Restart your router and printer.
Try printing a test page.

If your printer still doesn’t work, check the next step.

🔧 Fix 4: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Printer drivers are essential for Windows to communicate with your printer. Outdated or corrupted drivers can stop printing.

Open Device Manager (Windows + X).
Expand Printers or Print queues.
Right-click your printer → Update driver.
If update fails, choose Uninstall device and restart PC.
Download the latest driver from your printer manufacturer (HP, Canon, Epson).

After reinstalling, print a test page again.

🔧 Fix 5: Clear Printer Queue and Print Spooler Files

Sometimes stuck print jobs block the queue and stop printing. Clearing the print queue solves this.

Press Windows + R and type services.msc.
Stop Print Spooler.
Open C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
Delete all files inside the folder.
Start Print Spooler again.

This removes stuck jobs and allows new prints to start.

🔧 Fix 6: Set Printer as Default and Clear Offline Status

Windows may mark the printer as offline or not default. Setting it as default fixes many issues.

Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
Select your printer.
Click Set as default.
Turn off Use printer offline if enabled.
Try printing again.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer show offline even when it is connected?

The printer can show offline due to wrong network settings, driver issues, or a stuck print queue. Restarting the Print Spooler and setting the printer as default usually fixes this.

Do I need the manufacturer driver?

Yes. Generic Windows drivers may not support all features. Download the latest driver from HP, Canon, Epson, or Brother for best results.

Will clearing print queue delete my documents?

No. Clearing the print queue only removes pending print jobs. Your documents remain safe on your PC.