Printer Not Working? 25 Fixes That Actually Work

1. Check Power and Indicator Lights

Look for a solid power light (not blinking). A blinking light usually indicates an error state.

• Ensure power cable is firmly connected at both ends
• Try a different power outlet
• Check for any error messages on the printer display
• Note any blinking patterns (useful for error codes)

2. Verify Physical Connections

Loose cables are the #1 cause of printing failures.

• USB: Unplug and replug the USB cable; try a different USB port
• WiFi: Check if printer shows connected to your network
• Ethernet: Ensure the network cable clicks into place

3. Check for Paper and Ink

Empty supplies will prevent printing but may not always show a clear error.

• Add paper if tray is empty
• Check for paper jams (open all covers and look carefully)
• Verify ink/toner levels aren't critically low
• Re-seat cartridges by removing and reinstalling them

4. The Universal Fix: Restart Everything

This simple step fixes ~50% of printer problems.

1. Turn off the printer completely (not just sleep mode)
2. Unplug the power cable from the printer
3. Wait 60 seconds (allows capacitors to discharge)
4. Plug back in and turn on
5. Restart your computer as well
6. Wait for printer to fully initialize before testing

5. Clear the Print Queue

A stuck print job blocks all subsequent prints.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
3. Click your printer, then Open print queue
4. Right-click stuck jobs and select Cancel
5. If jobs won't cancel, proceed to the next fix

7. Set as Default Printer

Windows may be sending jobs to the wrong printer.

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
2. Turn OFF "Let Windows manage my default printer"
3. Click your printer and select Set as default

8. Disable "Use Printer Offline"

This setting can accidentally get enabled.

1. Go to Settings → Printers & scanners
2. Click your printer → Open print queue
3. Click Printer menu at the top
4. Ensure "Use Printer Offline" is NOT checked

9. Run Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in diagnostic tool.

1. Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot
2. Click Other troubleshooters
3. Find Printer and click Run
4. Follow the prompts and apply suggested fixes

10. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers cause many issues.

1. Go to your printer manufacturer's website
2. Find your exact printer model
3. Download the latest driver for your Windows version
4. Uninstall the old driver first (optional but recommended)
5. Install the new driver and restart

11. Reset the Printing System

This is the nuclear option for Mac printing issues.

1. Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners
2. Right-click (Control-click) in the printer list area
3. Select "Reset printing system..."
4. Confirm the reset (this removes all printers)
5. Re-add your printer

Note: This removes all printers. You'll need to re-add them.

12. Delete and Re-add the Printer

A fresh setup often resolves connection issues.

1. Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners
2. Select your printer and click the minus (-) button
3. Click the plus (+) button to add it again
4. Select your printer from the list and click Add

13. Clear Print Jobs via Terminal

For stuck jobs that won't cancel normally.

1. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities)
2. Type: cancel -a
3. Press Enter to cancel all print jobs

14. Fix "Printer Offline" Status

When the printer shows offline but is clearly on.

• Verify network: Print a network configuration page from the printer
• Check IP address: Printer's IP may have changed; update in printer properties
• Disable offline mode: See Fix #8 above
• Restart router: Network issues often affect printers

15. Reconnect WiFi Printer

Wireless connections can be interrupted by network changes.

1. On the printer, go to WiFi/Network settings
2. Select "Wireless Setup Wizard" or similar
3. Choose your network and enter the password
4. Wait for connection confirmation
5. On your computer, remove and re-add the printer

16. Assign Static IP Address

Prevents "offline" issues caused by changing IP addresses.

1. Print a network configuration page to get current IP
2. In your router settings, create a DHCP reservation for that IP
3. Or set a static IP directly on the printer
4. Update the printer port in Windows to use that IP

17. Run Print Head Cleaning

Fixes faded prints, streaks, and missing colors.

• Access from printer menu: Maintenance → Clean Print Head
• Run 2-3 cleaning cycles if needed
• Print a test page after each cycle
• Wait 30 minutes between cycles (uses ink)

18. Check and Replace Cartridges

Low or faulty cartridges cause many print problems.

• Check ink/toner levels in printer settings
• Remove and re-seat cartridges
• Clean cartridge contacts with a dry lint-free cloth
• Replace any cartridges that are very low or empty

19. Run Alignment

Fixes blurry text and misaligned colors.

1. Go to printer Maintenance menu
2. Select "Align Print Head" or "Alignment"
3. Follow on-screen instructions
4. Use the printed test pattern to complete alignment

Why is my printer not printing even though it's connected?

A connected printer may not print due to: stuck jobs in the print queue, the printer not being set as default, print spooler service issues, outdated drivers, or the printer being set to offline mode. Try clearing the print queue first, then restart the print spooler service (Fix #6 above).

How do I reset my printer to factory settings?

Most printers have a factory reset option in the Settings or Setup menu. For HP printers, go to Settings → Printer Maintenance → Restore. For Canon, hold the Stop button for 5+ seconds. For Epson, hold the Network button while powering on. Check your printer's manual for exact steps for your model.

Why does my printer say offline when it's on?

An "offline" status usually means communication issues between your computer and printer. Check WiFi connection for wireless printers, ensure USB cable is secure, verify the printer IP hasn't changed, and disable "Use Printer Offline" in Windows printer properties. See Fix #14 for detailed steps.

How do I fix print spooler errors?

Press Win+R, type services.msc, find "Print Spooler", right-click and choose Restart. If it fails, stop the service, go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files in that folder, then restart the spooler service. This clears corrupted spooler data.