Computer Station Nation is reader-supported.
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
Printer stopped working right when you need it. It happens to everyone. Most printer problems have a simple fix if you know where to look. This covers the most common failures and exactly what to do about each one.
Printer Won’t Print
Check the print queue first
Windows: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners, click your printer, select “Open print queue.” If there are stuck jobs, right-click each one and select Cancel. Restart the printer after clearing the queue.
Mac: System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, click your printer, click the queue. Delete stuck jobs there.
Make sure the printer is set as default
If you have multiple printers (or a PDF printer) installed, documents sometimes route to the wrong one. On Windows, right-click your printer in the Printers list and select “Set as default printer.” On Mac, open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and set your default at the bottom of the list.
Restart both the printer and router
For wireless printers, most “printer won’t print” issues resolve with a simple restart. Power off the printer, unplug it for 30 seconds, plug back in. While you’re at it, restart your router. Wait a minute for everything to reconnect, then try printing again.
Paper Jams
Clear the jam completely
Open every access panel on your printer — front paper tray, rear access door, and any internal compartments the manual shows. Pull jammed paper out in the direction of paper travel (toward the output). Never pull backward. After clearing, check for torn paper fragments — a small piece left inside causes the next jam immediately.
Prevent future jams
- Fan paper before loading to separate sheets — static makes paper stick together
- Don’t overfill the paper tray — load at or below the maximum fill line
- Make sure the paper guides in the tray fit snugly against the paper without bending it
- Use the right paper weight for your printer (20-24 lb copy paper is standard for inkjets and lasers)
Streaky or Poor Print Quality
Run a nozzle check (inkjet)
In the printer’s companion app or maintenance menu, run a nozzle check. This prints a test pattern showing which nozzles are blocked. If the pattern shows gaps or missing colors, run one head cleaning cycle, then print the nozzle check again. Limit cleaning cycles to two in a row — repeated cycles waste ink without fixing persistent clogs.
Shake the toner cartridge (laser)
If a laser printer is producing faded output, remove the toner cartridge and gently rock it side to side to redistribute toner. This is a temporary fix when toner is running low, not a substitute for replacement, but it typically extends useful life by another 50-100 pages.
Check paper type settings
Printing photo paper settings on plain paper (or vice versa) produces noticeably different results. Make sure the paper type selected in the print dialog matches what’s actually in the tray.
Printer Offline Error
Check if “Use Printer Offline” is enabled
Windows sometimes switches a printer to “offline” mode when it can’t connect. Open the print queue for your printer and check the Printer menu — if “Use Printer Offline” has a checkmark, click it to deselect. The printer should come back online if the network connection is working.
Re-add the printer
If the offline error persists, remove the printer from your system and re-add it. On Windows: Settings > Printers & Scanners > click printer > Remove Device, then Add Device. On Mac: System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, click minus (-) to remove, then plus (+) to add back. This re-establishes the driver and connection from scratch.
Printer Connected but Not Printing from Phone
The most common cause: your phone and printer are on different networks. Many routers broadcast separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks with the same or different names. Most budget printers only connect to 2.4GHz. If your phone is on the 5GHz band and the printer is on 2.4GHz, they can’t communicate. Connect your phone to the 2.4GHz network temporarily and test.
If the networks are the same and it still doesn’t work, check that AirPrint (iOS) or Mopria (Android) is supported by your printer model.
Ink Levels Drop Quickly
Head cleaning cycles use a significant amount of ink. If you’ve been running multiple cleaning cycles, that’s likely where the ink went. Run nozzle checks (which use minimal ink) rather than full cleaning cycles as your first diagnostic step. Also confirm you’re not printing at “Best” quality for every document — draft or normal quality uses significantly less ink for everyday text printing.
FAQ
Why does my printer say it’s offline even though it’s on?
Usually a stale connection. The printer is on but Windows lost track of it. Clear the print queue, disable “Use Printer Offline” in the Printer menu, and restart both the printer and the computer. If that doesn’t fix it, remove and re-add the printer.
How do I fix a printer that keeps jamming?
Fan the paper before loading, don’t overfill the tray, and clean the paper feed rollers with a damp lint-free cloth. Dirty rollers are the most common cause of repeated jams in printers used regularly.
My printer worked yesterday and stopped today. What happened?
Check for a stuck print job in the queue first — this is the most common cause of sudden stops. Also check for a Windows update that may have changed printer settings. If neither applies, restart both the printer and your router. That fixes most wireless printer failures that appear suddenly.
