Printer will not print Word documents

Question

My printer will recognize and print everything except Word, and I don't know why. What is the problem?

Answer 1

See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot-printing-problems-in-microsoft-365-apps-46722261-4d75-43b1-90d5-325171f04900 .

Answer 2

The issue is likely with Word or its connection to the Windows printing system, not with the printer itself. Use the following steps to isolate and fix it:

1. Confirm printing works outside Word
   • Print a test page from Windows:
     • Windows 11: Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > select the printer > Printer properties > Print Test Page.
     • Windows 10: Open Devices and Printers, right‑click the printer, and choose Printer properties > Print Test Page.
   • Try printing from another app (for example, Notepad or Paint).
   • If those work, the problem is specific to Word or Office.
2. Check printer selection and print settings in Word
   • In Word, select File > Print.
   • Make sure the correct physical printer is selected (not Microsoft Print to PDF or another virtual printer).
   • Confirm the printer status shows Ready.
   • Check page size, orientation, and that Print to file or Print to PDF is not selected.
3. Update Office and repair Word
   • Corrupted Office files can block printing from Word while other apps still print.
   • Update Office:
     • In Word, select File > Account > Update Options, then choose the appropriate update option.
   • Repair Office (Windows 11/10):
     1. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
     2. Select Microsoft 365 (or Microsoft Office), then Modify (or Advanced options on Windows 11).
     3. Run Quick Repair and test printing from Word.
     4. If the issue continues, run Online Repair and test again.
4. Restart the Print Spooler service
   • The print spooler manages print jobs and can affect how Word sends jobs to the printer.
   1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
   2. Scroll to Print Spooler.
   3. Right‑click Print Spooler and select Restart.
   4. Try printing from Word again.
5. Update or reinstall printer drivers
   • Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause app‑specific printing issues.
   1. Select Start > Device Manager.
   2. Expand Printers.
   3. Right‑click the printer and select Update driver.
   4. If no update is found, select Uninstall device, restart the PC, and let Windows reinstall the driver automatically, or install the latest driver from the printer manufacturer.

If printing works from Windows and other apps after these steps but still fails only in Word, the cause is almost certainly corrupted Word/Office components or Word‑specific print settings, and the Office repair steps above are the primary fix.

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References:

• My Print button and some printer settings aren’t available
• Fix printing problems in Word, Excel, or other apps