Printer Not Working in Windows 11? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• A connection problem between the printer and your PC
• Print jobs stuck in the queue that hold up new ones
• A Print Spooler service that has crashed
• An outdated, incompatible or conflicting printer driver, sometimes after a Windows update
• Incorrect printer settings, such as the printer not being set as the default
• A problem with the printer itself, such as low paper or ink, an open cover or a paper jam
• On some ARM PCs, a printer manufacturer’s installer that can’t add the printer
• Network or sharing settings for a printer shared from another PC

Step-by-Step Solutions

Work through the steps in order, try printing after each one, and leave reinstalling the printer and the shared-printer checks for last.

1. 1

   Step 1: Run the printer troubleshooter

   On Windows 11, Microsoft recommends starting with the automated troubleshooter.

   Run the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It runs diagnostics automatically and attempts to fix most printer problems.

2. 2

   Step 2: Restart your printer and your PC

   A simple restart can resolve temporary driver or service issues.

   Turn off your printer and unplug it. Plug it back in, then turn the printer back on.

   Restarting your PC can help refresh the services and components it needs to communicate with your printer. Select Start, then Power, then Restart.

3. 3

   Step 3: Check the printer’s connection

   Make sure the printer is on and connected the right way for its type.

   Make sure your printer is turned on and there are no loose or incorrect connections. Then check the connection for your kind of printer:

   • USB printer: make sure the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and your PC, and try a different USB port.
   • Wi-Fi printer: make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and that the printer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your PC. If you use wireless access points, extenders or multiple wireless routers with separate SSIDs, check that your PC is on the printer’s network. Check the printer’s display screen or settings for connection issues.
   • Bluetooth printer: make sure Bluetooth is turned on on both your PC and the printer, and that the printer is within range of your PC.

   Good to know

   Many printers have a menu option to test their wireless connection; the printer’s instructions or the manufacturer’s website explain how. If the printer checks out, your PC may not be connecting to your wireless network.

4. 4

   Step 4: Cancel stuck print jobs

   Jobs stuck in the queue can stop new documents from printing.

   Select Start, then Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners. Select your printer, then select Open print queue.

   Right-click each print job and select Cancel to remove it. You can also select the ellipsis (…) and select Cancel all if there are pending jobs.

5. 5

   Step 5: Restart the Print Spooler service

   The Print Spooler manages all print jobs, and when it fails, documents stay stuck and the printer stops responding.

   Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter. Find Print Spooler, right-click it and select Restart.

   If canceling jobs doesn’t clear the queue, clear the spool folder by hand. In Services, right-click Print Spooler and select Stop. Open File Explorer, go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files in that folder. Then go back to Services, right-click Print Spooler and select Start.

6. 6

   Step 6: Set your printer as the default

   If Windows doesn’t treat your printer as the default, it may not be used to print documents.

   Select Start, then Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners. Select your printer, then select Set as default.

   Good to know

   If you don’t see Set as default, the Let Windows manage my default printer option may be selected. Turn it off first, then choose your default printer.

7. 7

   Step 7: Update the printer driver

   Outdated or incompatible drivers can stop Windows from recognizing your printer.

   In Printers & scanners, select your printer, then select Manage. Select Update driver and follow the on-screen instructions.

   You can also select Start, then Device Manager. Expand Printers, right-click your printer and select Update driver.

   If Windows can’t find a suitable driver, go to the printer manufacturer’s support website. Download a driver that matches your Windows version and your system type, 32-bit or 64-bit, then install it and restart your PC. To check these, select Start, then Settings, then System, then About.

   Good to know

   Avoid drivers marked for older or unsupported Windows versions unless no newer drivers are available.

8. 8

   Step 8: Roll back or remove conflicting drivers

   A recent driver update or a conflicting driver can cause printing problems and spooler crashes.

   If the problem started after a recent driver update, open Device Manager, expand Printers or Print queues, right-click your printer and select Properties. On the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver if it’s available, then restart your PC.

   Conflicting drivers are a common cause of spooler crashes. In Device Manager, expand Print queues or Printers and uninstall unnecessary, old or duplicate printer drivers.

9. 9

   Step 9: Remove and reinstall the printer

   Reinstalling the printer refreshes its driver files and settings.

   Select Start, then Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners. Select the printer, select Remove, then select Yes. Restart your PC.

   Go back to Printers & scanners. Make sure the printer is turned on and connected, then next to Add a printer or scanner, select Add device. If your printer is listed, select Add device for it. If it isn’t, select Add manually and follow the instructions.

   You might need permission to install some printers. When the printer is installed, you can print a test page to make sure it’s working correctly.

   Good to know

   Some ARM PCs, such as Copilot+ PCs, can’t add a printer with the printer manufacturer’s installer. On those PCs, follow Microsoft’s Add or install a printer in Windows instructions instead of the manufacturer’s installer, unless the printer manufacturer gives different guidance.

10. 10

    Step 10: Check settings for a shared printer

    A printer shared from another PC needs both PCs on the same network with sharing turned on.

    Make sure both PCs are connected to the same local network. Select Start, then Settings, then Network & internet, then Advanced network settings, then Advanced sharing settings. Turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.

    If Windows can’t find the shared printer, open Printers & scanners, select Add device, then Add manually. Choose Select a shared printer by name and enter the path in the form \\ComputerName\PrinterShareName.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related guides

• Network & Wi-FiWindows 11 Wi-Fi Not Working? Try These FixesCheck Wi-Fi and airplane mode, run the troubleshooter, reconnect to your network, restart your router, then reinstall the driver or reset your network settings.
• Bluetooth & DevicesWindows 11 Bluetooth Not Working? Try These FixesTurn on Bluetooth, run the troubleshooter, check and re-pair your device, update Windows and the Bluetooth driver, and know when to contact your PC maker.