Cannot print WORD documents

Question

We can print EXCEL documents but CANNOT print WORD documents. After hitting CTL P the print window appears but the "print key" button is dark and when clicked, it says NO PRINTER INSTALLED.........HELP!

Answer 1

Restart your PC. Do you still see no printer at all in Word?

If you test in Excel, do you see the Microsoft Print to PDF virtual printer (= PDF converter)?

Answer 2

Hi Dave Valent,

Since Excel can print successfully while Word reports"No printer installed," the printer itself is likely working and the issue appears to be isolated to how Word is detecting the printer.

As a targeted test, try starting Word in Safe Mode:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type winword /safe and press Enter
3. Open a blank document and try printing

If printing works in Safe Mode, the issue may be related to a Word add-in or Word-specific settings. You can then disable add-ins one at a time from File > Options > Add-ins and test again.

If the problem persists even in Safe Mode, try signing in with a different Windows user profile and test Word there. This can help determine whether the issue is specific to your current profile.

I hope this helps narrow down the cause. Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 3

This usually means the issue is specific to Word or to how Word is detecting the printer, not necessarily the printer itself, especially since Excel can print.

Try these steps in order:

1. Test printing outside Word.
   • Open WordPad.
   • Create a new document and type This is a test.
   • Go to File > Print.
   • If WordPad also cannot print, the problem is not specific to Word. Follow Windows printer connection troubleshooting.
2. Test printing a new Word file.
   • In Word, open a new blank document.
   • Type This is a test.
   • Save it and try to print.
   • If the new file prints, the original document may be damaged.
3. Check whether the printer is available in Office.
   • In Word or Excel, go to File > Print.
   • Open the Printer drop-down.
   • If the printer is missing, select Add Printer.
   • In Find Printers, enter the printer name and select Find Now, or leave the name blank and select Find Now to search all printers.
   • Select the printer and choose OK.
4. Update Office and the printer driver.
   • Run Microsoft Update.
   • If Office was installed with Click-to-Run, in Office 2016 go to File > Account > Update Options and run updates there.
   • Then go to the printer manufacturer’s website and update the printer driver.
5. Run the Windows printer troubleshooter.
   • Press Windows key + S and type Devices and printers.
   • Right-click the printer and select Troubleshoot.
   • Follow the wizard.
6. Repair Office.
   • Run an online repair for Office, then test printing again.

If Word still shows No printer installed while Excel prints, that points to a Word/Office-side issue or a printer driver issue that Word is exposing.

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References:

• Troubleshoot printing problems in Microsoft 365 apps
• Connect to a printer in Excel
• My Print button and some printer settings aren’t available