If your printer is connected but not printing, the problem may be a stuck print queue, an offline status, a faulty driver, or a Windows printing service that has stopped working. Even when a printer appears connected to Wi-Fi or USB, Windows may fail to send documents to it correctly. Start by checking the printer for errors, clearing stuck jobs, and printing a test page before reinstalling the device or resetting its settings.
This guide covers Windows 10 and Windows 11. The menu names may vary slightly depending on your Windows version and printer model.
Why Is My Printer Connected but Not Printing?
Common causes include:
- A stuck print job blocking the queue.
- Windows marking the printer as offline.
- The wrong printer being selected.
- Paper jams, empty cartridges, or other printer errors.
- A stopped Windows Print Spooler service.
- An outdated or damaged printer driver.
- An unstable Wi-Fi connection or faulty USB cable.
- Incorrect paper settings or an application-specific problem.
Microsoft recommends checking the printer’s connection, status, drivers, and queue when printing fails. See Microsoft’s printer troubleshooting guide.
10 Ways to Fix a Printer Connected but Not Printing
1. Check for Printer Errors and Restart It
Before changing Windows settings, check the printer’s display and indicator lights.
Look for paper jams, empty ink or toner, open covers, incorrectly loaded paper, or hardware error messages. Resolve any displayed problem first.
Then restart the printer:
- Turn it off.
- Unplug its power cable for about 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the cable and turn it on.
- Wait until the printer is ready.
- Try printing again.
Do not continue to software troubleshooting if the printer displays an unresolved physical error.
2. Select the Correct Printer and Check Its Status
Windows may send your document to an old printer, a PDF printer, or another device.
Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners on Windows 11, or Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners on Windows 10.
Select your actual printer and confirm that it is ready. If Windows reports it as offline, check its connection and follow Microsoft’s offline printer troubleshooting guide.
For wireless printing, make sure the printer and computer are connected to the appropriate network.
3. Clear the Stuck Print Queue
A document stuck in the queue can prevent everything behind it from printing.
- Open Settings → Printers & scanners.
- Select your printer.
- Open the print queue.
- Cancel the jobs that are stuck.
- Send a new, small test document.
If the queue will not clear, restart the Print Spooler in Step 6 before trying more advanced fixes.
4. Check the USB or Wi-Fi Connection
If you’re using a USB printer, reconnect the cable at both ends. Try another USB port or a compatible cable if necessary. Avoid connecting through a USB hub while testing.
For a wireless printer, confirm that it is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. Restart the router if the connection is unstable, and move the printer closer to it if the signal is weak.
If your internet connection also drops frequently, see our guide on why your internet keeps going out.
5. Print a Windows Test Page
A test page helps determine whether the issue affects Windows printing generally or just one application.
Go to Settings → Printers & scanners → Your printer → Printer properties and look for Print Test Page. The exact location can vary by Windows version and driver.
Interpret the result:
- The test page prints: The printer can print through Windows, so check the original document, application, or print settings.
- The test page fails: Investigate the queue, connection, Print Spooler, and driver.
- The printer itself reports a hardware error: Resolve that error before continuing.
6. Restart the Windows Print Spooler
The Print Spooler manages print jobs. If it stops responding, documents may remain stuck even while the printer appears connected.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type
services.mscand press Enter. - Find Print Spooler.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
- Try printing again.
If the queue still refuses to clear, restart Windows and check again. Avoid deleting Windows system files or using unfamiliar commands to clear the queue. For further instructions, see Microsoft’s Print Spooler troubleshooting guide.
7. Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver
A faulty or incompatible driver can stop a connected printer from printing, especially after a Windows update or printer software change.
Visit your manufacturer’s official support website and download the driver for your exact printer model and Windows version.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. If the driver is already current but printing still fails, continue to the next step.
8. Remove and Add the Printer Again
If Windows still cannot communicate with the printer properly, reinstalling it may refresh its configuration.
- Open Settings → Printers & scanners.
- Select the affected printer.
- Choose Remove.
- Restart the computer if necessary.
- Return to Printers & scanners and select Add device.
- Follow the prompts to add the printer again.
Install the correct manufacturer driver if Windows does not configure the device correctly. See Microsoft’s guide to adding or installing a printer.
9. Check the Application and Print Settings
If the test page prints successfully, the issue may be limited to a particular application or document.
Try printing a simple text document or webpage from another application. If Word fails but another application prints normally, troubleshoot Word rather than reinstalling the printer again.
For Chrome-specific problems, restart the browser, try another webpage, or test a different browser. Google’s Chrome printing troubleshooting guide offers additional help.
Also check paper size, paper type, tray selection, orientation, and color settings. Incorrect settings can pause a job or produce an error.
10. Run Windows Troubleshooting or Contact Support
If the earlier fixes do not work, open Windows’ troubleshooting options.
On Windows 11, go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters and check whether a printer troubleshooter is available. On Windows 10, open Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters, where available.
If the printer still fails, consult the manufacturer’s support service. A persistent hardware error, unusual noise, or failure to print even after testing different connections may require professional inspection.
Avoid a factory reset as an early fix. It may erase Wi-Fi and custom settings without resolving a Windows driver or print queue problem.
What If the Printer Prints Blank Pages?
If the printer accepts jobs but produces blank pages, focus on ink, toner, cartridges, and printhead condition rather than repeating connection troubleshooting.
Check that cartridges are installed correctly, ink or toner is available, and the selected print settings are appropriate. An inkjet printer may also have clogged or dried printheads.
For additional help, visit Epson’s printer troubleshooting resources.
What If the Printer Works From My Phone but Not My Computer?
If your phone prints successfully but your Windows computer does not, the printer and its network connection may be working correctly. Focus on Windows, its driver, and the print queue.
Print a Windows test page, restart the Print Spooler, and update the driver. If the problem persists, remove and add the printer again.
If another computer also fails to print, investigate the printer or network rather than assuming the problem is limited to your PC.
Quick Checklist
If your printer is connected but not printing, follow this order:
- Check for paper, ink, toner, or hardware errors.
- Restart the printer.
- Select the correct printer and check its status.
- Clear the print queue.
- Check the USB or Wi-Fi connection.
- Print a Windows test page.
- Restart the Print Spooler.
- Update the printer driver.
- Remove and reinstall the printer if necessary.
- Test another application and run Windows troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions about printer that is connected but not printing
Why is my printer connected but nothing happens?
A stuck print job, offline status, driver problem, or stopped Print Spooler may prevent printing. Check the queue and printer status first, then print a test page.
Why is my wireless printer connected but not printing?
The printer may be connected to the wrong network, experiencing unstable Wi-Fi, or affected by a Windows printing problem. Verify the network and check the queue before reinstalling the printer.
Should I reinstall my printer if it is connected but not printing?
Not immediately. Check for physical errors, clear the queue, restart the Print Spooler, and print a test page first. Reinstallation is a later troubleshooting step.
Why does my printer print from my phone but not my computer?
The Windows driver, queue, print settings, or application may be responsible. Test printing from Windows and update or reinstall the driver if needed.
Why does my printer keep going offline?
Common causes include unstable Wi-Fi, sleep settings, driver issues, or communication problems. Check the printer’s network connection and Windows status before changing other settings.
Should I factory reset my printer?
Usually not. A factory reset can erase network details and custom settings. Try the less disruptive fixes first and follow your manufacturer’s instructions if a reset becomes necessary.
Final Thoughts: printer is connected but not printing
When a printer is connected but not printing, start with the printer’s physical condition, Windows status, and print queue. Then test the connection, restart the Print Spooler, and check the driver.
A successful test page helps narrow down the problem. If it prints, investigate the application or document. If it fails after the basic checks, reinstall the driver or printer and use the manufacturer’s support resources.
Work through one fix at a time so you can identify the cause without repeatedly changing settings or resetting a printer that may not need it.