There’s nothing more frustrating than having your printer connected to your computer, but it simply refuses to print. You’ve checked the cables, ensured that the printer is powered on, and verified the connection, yet the issue persists. So, why is your printer connected but not printing? In this article, we will dive into some common reasons behind this problem and provide you with troubleshooting steps to help you get your printer up and running again.
1. Check the Basics
Before delving into complex troubleshooting steps, let’s start with the basics:
- Ensure the printer is turned on and has enough paper and ink/toner.
- Verify that the printer is correctly connected to your computer or network via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi.
- Restart both your printer and computer to clear any temporary glitches.
2. Review the Printer Queue
If your printer is connected but not printing, it’s worth checking the printer queue. The printer queue is a list of pending print jobs awaiting execution. Follow these steps to review and clear the printer queue:
- On Windows: Go to the Control Panel, select “Devices and Printers,” and find your printer. Right-click on it and select “See what’s printing.” Delete all the pending print jobs from the queue.
- On macOS: Click on the Apple menu, select “System Preferences,” then choose “Printers & Scanners.” Select your printer, click on “Open Print Queue,” and delete any pending jobs.
3. Verify Printer Settings and Default Printer
Sometimes, printer settings or an incorrect default printer selection can cause the ‘printer connected but not printing’ issue. Follow these steps to ensure the correct printer is set as the default:
- On Windows: Go to the Control Panel, select “Devices and Printers,” right-click on your printer, and choose “Set as default printer.”
- On macOS: Click on the Apple menu, select “System Preferences,” then choose “Printers & Scanners.” Select your printer from the list and click on the “Default printer” drop-down menu to set it as the default.
4. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or incompatible printer drivers can also cause printing issues. Follow these steps to update or reinstall printer drivers:
- Visit the manufacturer’s website and search for the latest drivers for your printer model. Download and install the updated drivers according to the instructions provided.
- If updating the drivers doesn’t resolve the issue, try uninstalling the current drivers from your computer. Then, reinstall them using the drivers downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
5. Check for Firmware Updates
Printer firmware updates can fix known issues and improve compatibility. Visit the manufacturer’s website and search for firmware updates specific to your printer model. Follow the instructions provided to update the firmware if available.
6. Firewall and Antivirus Settings
In some cases, the firewall or antivirus software on your computer may block the printer from functioning correctly. Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus software to check if they are causing the issue. If disabling them allows the printer to print, adjust the settings to allow the printer’s communication.
Conclusion
Printer connected but not printing can be a frustrating experience. However, by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue in most cases. Remember to check the basics, review the printer queue, verify printer settings, update or reinstall drivers, check for firmware updates, adjust firewall and antivirus settings, and clear the print spooler if necessary.
If the problem persists, contacting professional printer support should be your next step. If you are looking for the best printer customer support, you can contact 24×7 Printer Support. Our team of experts provides professional help in resolving your printer issues. You can contact us through chat support, email, or our helpline number.
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