I CAN'T PRINT FROM WORD

Question

I CAN'T PRINT ANY MS "WORD" DOCUMENTS FROM MAC OSX 26.3.1. EXCEL, POWER POINT ETC. ALL WILL PRINT.I HAVE COPIED AND PASTED TO A NEW DOCUMENT, DELETED AND REINSTALLED OFFICE 365. IT STILL WON'T PRINT FROM WORD. WHEN I CHANGE IT TO A PDF DOC. IT WILL PRINT.

WHY CAN'T I PRINT FROM WORD DIRECTLY? SHOULD I DELETE THEM FROM THE LIBRARY CONTAINER?

Answer 1

If you ever manage to read through the extensive inundation from the AI bot...

First, confirm that Mac Office is fully updated v16.107.1 is current as of this writing. Then follow these instructions on how to

Reset the printing system

Answer 2

Word on macOS can have printing issues even when other Microsoft 365 apps print correctly. Since printing works when converting to PDF, the printer and drivers are likely functional and the issue is specific to Word or its print configuration.

Try these steps in order:

1. Test with a brand‑new Word document
   1. In Word, select File > New.
   2. Type a few words of sample text.
   3. Try File > Print and print to the same printer.
   • If this new file prints, the problem is with specific documents (corruption, fonts, etc.).
   • If it does not print, continue below.
2. Change the font in a test document
   1. In the test document, select all text.
   2. On the ribbon, change the Font to a different one.
   3. Try printing again.
   • If it prints after changing the font, the original font is causing the issue; use a different font in affected documents.
3. Verify other apps on the Mac can print
   1. Open the Notes app on macOS.
   2. Create a note with some text.
   3. Select File > Print and print to the same printer.
   • If Notes prints successfully, the printer and driver are working and the issue is with Office/Word.
   • If Notes cannot print, troubleshoot the printer/driver on macOS before focusing on Word.
4. Remove and re‑add the printer in macOS
   1. Click the Apple logo > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
   2. Select the printer and click Delete (–).
   3. Click Add (+), choose the correct connection method and printer, then click Add.
   4. Go back to Word and try printing again.
5. Reset the macOS printing system and reinstall drivers (more advanced)
   1. Apple logo > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
   2. Control+click in the printers list and choose Reset printing system.
   3. In Finder, select Go > Go to Folder… and open /Library/Printers/.
   4. Select all items, then File > New Folder with Selection to back them up.
   5. Add the printer again in Printers & Scanners so macOS downloads fresh drivers.
   6. Test printing from Word.
6. Replace printer preference files
   Corrupted macOS print preference files can block printing from Office apps.
   1. On the desktop, select File > New Folder, name it Print Prefs.
   2. In Finder, select Go > Home, then open Library (hold Option while clicking Go if Library is hidden).
   3. Open Preferences.
   4. Select all com.apple.print.*.plist files (for example com.apple.print.PrintCenter.plist, com.apple.print.PrintingPrefs.plist).
   5. Drag them into the Print Prefs folder (this backs them up).
   6. Restart the Mac and test printing from Word again.
7. Known issue for Office for the web on macOS
   If printing from Word for the web (in a browser) on macOS shows a blank print preview and nothing prints, this is a known issue under investigation. The current workaround is to export to PDF and print the PDF, which matches what already works.

Deleting items in ~/Library/Containers is not documented as a required step for Word‑only printing issues. Use the supported printer and preference‑file steps above first, as they directly target macOS printing configuration without risking unrelated Office data.

---

References:

• Users on macOS might have issues printing from Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for the web
• Troubleshoot printing problems in Microsoft 365 apps