Why Won’t My Printer Print? 5 Fixes to Try First

If you’ve ever hit “Print” and waited… and waited… only to realize nothing’s coming out, you’re not alone. Printer issues are one of the most common tech frustrations — especially when everything seems like it should be working.

Before you toss the printer out the window, here are five simple things you can try first to get it back online:

1. Check for Connection Issues

Make sure the printer is properly connected:

• USB printer? Try unplugging and replugging the cable.

• Wi-Fi printer? Confirm it’s still connected to your network (print a network configuration page from the printer menu).

• Restart both the printer and your computer.

2. Make Sure It’s Set as the Default Printer

On Windows:

• Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners 

• Select your printer and click Set as default

On Mac:

• Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners 

• Right-click your printer and choose Set as default

3. Clear the Print Queue

Sometimes a stuck job will block everything else.

• On Windows, open the printer in Devices & Printers, right-click and choose See what’s printing, then cancel all jobs.

• On Mac, open the Printer Queue from System Settings > Printers & Scanners and delete any stuck jobs.

4. Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

Corrupt or outdated drivers can cause problems:

• Visit the printer manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your model.

• Remove the printer from your computer, then reinstall it with the new driver.

5. Check Ink/Toner and Paper

Sounds obvious, but:

• Low ink or toner can sometimes prevent printing, even if it doesn’t warn you.

• Empty paper tray or paper jams are common culprits — double-check both.

🛠 Still Not Working?

Sometimes it’s not something you can fix quickly — network issues, firmware problems, or a dying printer can require a deeper look. That’s where we come in.

If you’re a PCRescue subscriber, just click the “Request Support” option from your desktop app, and we’ll take it from there.