A printer not working is one of the most frustrating tech problems — you often need to print something urgently, and the printer refuses to cooperate. Whether your printer won't print at all, shows as offline, prints blank or garbled pages, or won't connect to your computer, this guide has the fix.
We cover all major printer brands (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Samsung, Xerox) and both Windows and Mac operating systems. Most printer problems are software-related and can be fixed in minutes without replacing any hardware.
Common Reasons Printers Stop Working
- Print queue jammed — A stuck print job blocks everything behind it
- Driver issues — Corrupted, outdated, or wrong driver installed
- Connection lost — USB cable loose, WiFi disconnected, or printer IP changed
- Printer set to offline — Windows accidentally marks the printer as offline
- Print spooler crashed — The Windows service that manages printing has stopped
- Ink or toner problems — Empty cartridges, clogged heads, or unrecognized cartridges
- Paper jam — Small pieces of paper stuck inside the printer mechanism
Fix 1: Restart Your Printer
Turn the printer completely off using the power button. Unplug it from the wall for 60 seconds. Plug it back in and turn it on. This clears the printer's internal memory, resets any error states, and forces it to re-establish connections. A surprising number of printer not working issues are resolved with this simple step.
Fix 2: Clear the Print Queue
A stuck print job can block your entire queue and make your printer appear not working:
- Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → your printer → Open print queue
- Right-click each stuck job → Cancel
- If jobs won't cancel, restart the Print Spooler service (see Fix 3)
Mac: System Preferences → Printers & Scanners → your printer → Open Print Queue → select stuck jobs → delete (X).
Fix 3: Restart the Print Spooler Service (Windows)
The Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages all print jobs. If it crashes, nothing prints:
# Run Command Prompt as Administrator:
net stop spooler
del /Q /F /S "%systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*"
net start spooler
This stops the spooler, clears all stuck print jobs, and restarts the service. Try printing again immediately after.
Fix 4: Check Printer Connection
- USB printers: Check that the USB cable is firmly connected at both ends. Try a different USB port. Try a different cable.
- WiFi printers: Verify the printer is connected to your WiFi (check printer's network menu). Make sure it's on the same network as your computer. Restart your router if needed.
- Network printers: Print a network configuration page from the printer to verify its IP address. Make sure it matches the one configured on your computer.
- Most WiFi printers only support 2.4 GHz — if your router only broadcasts 5 GHz, the printer can't connect
Fix 5: Set as Default Printer
Windows sometimes changes your default printer automatically. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners, turn OFF "Let Windows manage my default printer," then select your printer and click "Set as default." Print jobs go to the default printer unless you manually select one.
Fix 6: Take Printer Out of Offline Mode
Windows can accidentally set your printer to offline mode. To fix:
- Go to Settings → Printers & scanners → select your printer
- Click Open print queue
- Click Printer menu at the top
- Uncheck "Use Printer Offline" if it's checked
- For detailed steps, see our printer offline fix guide
Fix 7: Update or Reinstall Printer Driver
An outdated or corrupted driver is one of the most common causes of a printer not working:
- Go to your printer manufacturer's website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother)
- Search for your exact printer model
- Download the latest driver for your operating system
- Before installing, remove the old printer: Settings → Printers & scanners → Remove device
- Install the new driver and follow the setup wizard
Fix 8: Run Printer Troubleshooter
Windows 11/10: Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Printer → Run. This diagnostic checks for common issues including driver problems, spooler status, and connectivity. Mac: Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners → right-click your printer → Reset printing system (warning: removes all printers — re-add after).
Fix 9: Check Ink, Toner, and Paper
- Check ink/toner levels through the printer's display or software
- Open the printer and check for paper jams — look deep inside, small pieces can hide
- Remove and reseat ink cartridges — make sure they click into place
- Clean print heads: most printers have this option in their maintenance menu
- Make sure the paper tray has paper loaded correctly (aligned, not overfilled)
Fix 10: Remove and Re-Add the Printer
When all else fails, completely remove the printer from your system and add it fresh. Windows: Settings → Printers & scanners → your printer → Remove device. Then click "Add device" to rediscover it, or install from the manufacturer's software. Mac: System Preferences → Printers & Scanners → select printer → minus (-) → then plus (+) to re-add.
Brand-Specific Printer Guides
Each printer brand has unique issues. See our brand-specific guides:
- HP Printer Not Working — HP-specific driver, offline, and WiFi fixes
- Epson Printer Not Printing — Epson driver downloads and print head issues
- Printer Offline Fix — Detailed guide for "offline" status on any brand
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my printer not printing even though it has ink?
Having ink doesn't guarantee printing. Common causes: (1) Print queue is stuck — clear all pending jobs, (2) Printer is set to 'Use Printer Offline' mode in Windows, (3) Print heads are clogged — run the printer's built-in cleaning cycle, (4) Wrong printer selected as default, (5) Driver is corrupted or outdated. Check each of these before assuming a hardware problem.
Why does my printer say offline when it's turned on?
Windows shows printers as 'offline' when it can't communicate with them. Causes: (1) USB cable is loose, (2) WiFi connection dropped, (3) 'Use Printer Offline' is accidentally checked in printer settings, (4) Printer IP address changed (common with WiFi printers after router restart), (5) Print spooler service crashed. See our printer offline fix guide for detailed solutions.
How do I fix a printer that won't connect to WiFi?
Steps: (1) Make sure the printer is within range of your router, (2) Restart both printer and router, (3) Re-run WiFi setup on the printer — most printers have this in the Settings or Network menu, (4) Ensure you're connecting to the 2.4 GHz network (most printers don't support 5 GHz), (5) Remove and re-add the printer in your computer's settings.
Why is my printer printing blank pages?
Blank pages usually mean: (1) Ink cartridges are empty or installed incorrectly, (2) Print heads are severely clogged — run multiple cleaning cycles, (3) Protective tape wasn't removed from new cartridges, (4) Wrong paper type selected in print settings, (5) Driver is sending blank data — reinstall the printer driver.
Should I use USB or WiFi to connect my printer?
USB is more reliable and faster — use it if your printer is near your computer. WiFi is convenient for multiple devices and printing from phones/tablets, but introduces connectivity variables. If you're having problems with WiFi printing, try USB temporarily to confirm the printer itself works, then troubleshoot the WiFi connection separately.
Printer Still Not Working?
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