What you'll accomplish
- Restart your printer and computer the right way
- Check and fix the printer connection
- Clear stuck print jobs from the queue
- Reinstall or update printer drivers
- Reconnect a wireless printer to Wi-Fi
Before anything else, do a proper restart of both devices. This solves more printer problems than anything else.
- Turn the printer completely off using its power button — don't just put it to sleep
- Unplug the printer from the wall for 30 seconds
- Restart your computer (Start → Power → Restart)
- Plug the printer back in and turn it on
- Wait for it to fully start up before trying to print
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Tip: Also restart your Wi-Fi router if using a wireless printer — unplug it for 30 seconds then plug back in.
If your printer connects via USB cable, the cable itself is often the culprit.
- Unplug the USB cable from both the printer and the computer
- Plug it back in firmly — you should feel/hear a click
- Try a different USB port on your computer
- If possible, try a different USB cable — cables fail more often than you'd think
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Screenshot: USB cable connection on back of printer
A stuck print job can block everything else from printing. Clearing the queue often gets things moving again immediately.
- Click Start and search for Printers & Scanners
- Click your printer in the list
- Click Open print queue
- If there are jobs listed, click Printer in the menu → Cancel All Documents
- Wait a moment then try printing again
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Screenshot: Print queue showing stuck jobs with Cancel All Documents option
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If the queue won't clear: Press Windows + R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click it and click Restart. Then try clearing the queue again.
Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that automatically detects and fixes many common printer problems.
- Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
- Find Printer and click Run
- Follow the prompts and let it fix what it finds
- Restart your computer after it completes
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Screenshot: Windows Troubleshooter showing Printer option
If nothing else works, the printer driver (the software that lets Windows talk to your printer) may be corrupted. Reinstalling it usually fixes this.
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners
- Click your printer → Remove device
- Go to your printer manufacturer's website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.)
- Search for your exact printer model and download the latest driver
- Run the installer and follow the prompts
- Restart your computer when done
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Screenshot: Printers & Scanners settings with Remove Device option
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Tip: Your printer model number is usually printed on a sticker on the front or bottom of the printer.
If your wireless printer has lost its Wi-Fi connection (common after a router change or power outage), you'll need to reconnect it to your network.
- On the printer's control panel, find Network Settings or Wireless Setup
- Select Wireless Setup Wizard or Connect to Network
- Select your Wi-Fi network name from the list
- Enter your Wi-Fi password using the printer's keypad
- Once connected, the wireless indicator light should turn solid (not blinking)
- On your computer, go to Printers & Scanners → Add a printer and select your printer from the list
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Screenshot: Printer control panel showing wireless setup menu