Printer Not Working in Windows 10 and Windows 11: How to Fix the Issue

If your printer has stopped working in Windows 10 or Windows 11, it can be incredibly frustrating. Printer issues are often related to driver problems, system settings, or connectivity issues. In this article, we'll go through the most common reasons why your printer might not be working and provide solutions to resolve the problem.

1. Check Printer Connection

The first step is to ensure that your printer is properly connected to your computer. Follow these steps:

  • Ensure the USB cable is securely connected to both the computer and the printer (for USB connections).
  • If your printer is connected via Wi-Fi, make sure it is connected to the same network as your computer.
  • Restart both the printer and the computer to refresh the connection.

2. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Driver issues are one of the most common reasons for printer problems. Try the following steps:

  1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Find your printer under the Printers section, right-click on it, and select Update driver.
  3. If updating the driver does not help, uninstall it and reinstall the latest version from the manufacturer’s website.

3. Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in troubleshooting tools to help detect and fix printer problems:

  1. Open Settings (Win + I) and go to Update & Security → Troubleshoot.
  2. Select Printer and run the troubleshooter.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to attempt automatic fixes.

4. Reset Print Queue

Sometimes, print issues are caused by stuck print jobs in the queue. To clear the print queue:

  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
  2. Find Print Spooler, right-click on it, and select Restart.
  3. After restarting the service, try printing again.

5. Set Your Printer as Default

If you have multiple printers installed, Windows might be trying to use the wrong one. To set your preferred printer as default:

  1. Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners.
  2. Select your printer and click on Set as default.

6. Check for Windows Updates

Sometimes printer issues are caused by bugs in the operating system. Make sure your Windows is up to date:

  1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.
  2. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

7. Reinstall the Printer

If none of the above solutions worked, try removing and reinstalling your printer:

  1. Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners.
  2. Select your printer and click Remove device.
  3. Then click Add a printer or scanner and follow the steps to reinstall it.