cannot print emails from classic outlook

Question

I can select to print an email, and my printer sounds like it is going to print my email, but then nothing actually prints. I can create a pdf and print that file just fine.

Answer 1

Hi @Nora Wise 

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try if you are unable to print emails from Classic Outlook:  

1.Rename the OutlPrnt file 

-Press Win + R.  

-Enter %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook and click OK.  

-Locate the OutlPrnt file in this folder.  

-Right‑click the file and rename it (such as OutlPrnt.old).  

-Close and restart Outlook.

Reference: Can't print from outlook - Microsoft Q&A. 

2.Set your default printer 

-Press Win + I to open Settings.  

-Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.  

-Select the printer you use most often.  

-Click Set as default.  

3.Run the Printer Troubleshooter 

-Press Win + S and type troubleshoot settings.  

-Select Other troubleshooters.  

-Click Run next to Printer and follow the on‑screen instructions.  

4.Try Outlook in Safe Mode  

-Close Outlook completely.  

-Press Win + R, type outlook.exe /safe, and press Enter.  

-If Outlook opens normally in Safe Mode, the issue is likely caused by an add‑in.  

-Go to File > Options > Add‑ins > COM Add‑ins > Go, disable all add‑ins, then re‑enable them one by one to identify the problematic add‑in.  

I hope this helps. 

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Answer 2

this did not answer my question. where do i find the link for Windows printer troubleshooting steps?

Answer 3

In classic Outlook, printing relies entirely on the Windows printer configuration. Since printing to PDF works but the physical printer does not, the issue is almost certainly with the selected printer or its port configuration in Windows, not with Outlook itself.

Try these steps in order:

1. Verify the correct printer is selected in Outlook
   1. In classic Outlook, open any email.
   2. Select File > Print.
   3. In the Printer list, make sure the actual physical printer is selected, not Microsoft Print to PDF, XPS Document Writer, or any other virtual printer.
   4. Try printing again.
2. Check that Windows is not set to “Print to file” for the printer
   1. Close Outlook and all other applications.
   2. Open Control Panel (press Start, type Control, press Enter).
   3. Set View by to Large icons or Small icons.
   4. Select Devices and Printers.
   5. Right‑click the physical printer and choose Printer properties.
   6. Go to the Ports tab.
   7. Ensure the selected port is not a “Print to file” port. If it is, change it to the appropriate port for the printer, for example:
      • USB printer: typically USB or LPT1 (depending on driver setup).
      • Network/Wireless printer: typically WSD or a TCP/IP port.
   8. Select OK to save and then try printing from Outlook again.
3. Test printing from another app directly to the same printer
   1. Open Word or another Office app.
   2. Make sure the same physical printer is selected (not Print to PDF).
   3. Print a simple document.
   4. If this also fails, the problem is with the printer/driver or Windows configuration; reinstalling or re‑adding the printer in Devices and Printers may be required.

If the printer still does not output pages after these checks, follow the Windows printer troubleshooting steps in the referenced article to resolve connection or driver issues, then retry printing from Outlook.

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References:

• Print messages, calendars, or other Outlook items
• Print attachments received in email messages
• Print command results only in an invitation to save. - Microsoft Q&A
• How to print without a window popping up that requests I save an already saved document - Microsoft Q&A
• Issues with PDF converting and printing files - Microsoft Q&A