Printer Not Printing? 10 Checks for Windows 11

If your printer is not printing, the cause may be a device warning, lost connection, incorrect printer selection, stuck print job or incompatible driver. Start with the simplest checks below. These steps apply broadly to HP, Canon, Epson, Brother and other printers used with Windows 11, though menus vary by model.

Start here: If the printer cannot print its own built-in test page, troubleshoot the device's error or supplies first. If it prints a built-in page but not from Windows, focus on the computer, connection and queue.

1. Check the printer display and supplies

Make sure the printer is powered on, has paper, and shows no paper jam, open cover, low-ink warning or other error. Some printers will not print until an on-device warning is cleared.

2. Print a test page directly from the printer

If your model supports a built-in test or configuration page, print one using its own controls. If this fails, focus on the printer itself before changing Windows settings.

3. Confirm Wi-Fi or USB connectivity

For USB printers, reseat the cable and try a direct USB port. For wireless printers, confirm the printer is on the intended Wi-Fi network and can communicate with your computer. Guest networks may block device discovery.

4. Choose the correct printer in Windows 11

Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Confirm the installed printer matches your actual device and that your application has selected it rather than a PDF or virtual printer.

5. Check for offline or paused status

Open the printer's queue. If it is offline, follow our printer offline troubleshooting guide. If printing is paused, resume it where available.

6. Cancel a stuck print job

Open the print queue and cancel jobs that no longer need printing. Then send a short test page. If the queue remains blocked, use our stuck print queue guide.

7. Restart the printer and PC

Power down the printer, wait briefly, and restart it. Restart Windows as well, then retry a simple document.

8. Try a different app or file

Print a small plain-text document from a different application. If that works, the original app, document, paper size or print settings may be responsible.

9. Check Windows updates and official drivers

Check Settings → Windows Update. If a printer driver is missing or incompatible, use the manufacturer's official website and our driver unavailable guide. Avoid third-party driver download sites.

10. Run the Windows printer troubleshooter

Open Microsoft's Get Help app and use printer troubleshooting. If none of the checks work, record the printer model, exact error, connection type and whether the built-in printer test page works.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my printer connected but not printing?

A Wi-Fi connection alone does not confirm that Windows can send jobs to the printer. Check whether Windows selected the right printer, whether jobs are stuck, and whether the printer has an error on its own display.

Why does my printer say printing but nothing comes out?

The job may be waiting in a queue or the printer may be paused or unavailable. Open the print queue, look for errors and try a built-in printer test page. See our print queue troubleshooting guide.

What if the page comes out blank?

That is a different symptom. See our printer printing blank pages guide for checks related to ink, toner, print settings and printheads.

Related troubleshooting guides

Reference: Microsoft's official printer troubleshooting documentation.

Educational information. Printer menus and driver requirements differ by model and Windows update.