My Printer Isn't Working!

Issue

This article explains some basic troubleshooting steps you can take with any network or local printer to resolve issues printing. If you require further assistance, please Report a Printer Issue and a technician can assist you.

Resolution

Make Sure Your Printer Is Installed and Check the Print Queue

First, you will want to make sure that you have installed the printer in question to your device, and that you are sending print jobs to the right printer.

Windows

1. On Windows, you can review what printers you have configured by clicking the Search icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen and typing Printers and Scanners
   
2. Press enter to open the Printers and Scanners Settings page.
3. Under the Printers & Scanners subheader, a list of printers will appear. If you cannot find your printer listed here, you likely need to install the printer.
4. If the printer appears, click on it and select Open Queue
   
5. The Queue Management prompt for that printer should come up. If you see any print jobs stuck in the queue, right-click on them and click Cancel.
6. Try to print again. If you are still unable to print, you can try to restart the print spooler on your computer:
   1. Click the Search icon in the lower left-hand corner
   2. Type Services and open the Services settings menu
   3. Scroll to find the Print Spooler service, right-click on it, and click Restart
      
7. If the above steps do not work, proceed to the next category

macOS

1. On Mac, click the Apple icon in the upper left-hand corner and open System Preferences
2. Under System Preferences, open Printers and Scanners
   
3. On the left-hand side of the Printers & Scanners menu will be a list of printers. If you do not see your printer listed, you likely need to install the printer.
4. If your printer is installed, you can clear the print queue by clicking your printer in the list and clicking Open Print Queue
   
5. On the Print Queue screen, click the stop icon to clear the print queue
   
6. If the above steps do not work, proceed to the next troubleshooting step

Power Cycling

1. Try restarting your computer, then attempting to print again
2. Try restarting the program you are using to print, then attempting to print again
3. Unplug the printer, wait three seconds, then plug it back in. Wait until the printer completes its power cycle, then try to print to it again.

Error Codes

Check the printer screen.

Does it display any error messages? If so, make a note of them, and submit a service request to the printer maintenance team.