printer will not print without pushing the button on the top of the machine

Question

My printer will not print until I push the button near the screen. It is a pain because I have to stand up and reach over several things and push the button and then it will print. Any suggestions.

Answer 1

Dear @Jeanne Bernauer,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

Before giving you the best solution, could you please confirm these questions below to help me diagnose the issue more effectively: 

• Could you confirm the exact printer brand and model (e.g., Canon iR‑ADV, HP LaserJet)?
• Are you printing via AirPrint, a secure-release queue, or a direct network printer?
• Does this happen with every print job or only with certain documents or apps (e.g., Word on iOS)?
• When you press the button, does the screen show a message like “Confirm Print,” “Paper Mismatch,” or “Secure Print Release”?
• Are the trays loaded with the correct paper size (Letter/A4) and type (Plain)? Any special media?
• If you print from a Windows PC or Mac, does the same issue occur?
• Does this issue occur when printing from other devices or user accounts? If you try from a different computer or mobile device, does it still require pressing the button? or If another user logs in and prints, do they experience the same behavior?

In the meantime, here are some steps I recommend you try:

Step 1: Check Printer Settings

Ensure that features like “Hold Print” or “Job Confirmation” are disabled on the printer panel.

Step 2: Paper Settings

Confirm that the paper size and type match the tray configuration to avoid prompts.

Step 3: Power cycle the printer (full shutdown, wait 30 seconds, restart).

Step 4: Update printer firmware (device menu or vendor tool).

Step 5: Forget & re-add the AirPrint printer on iOS

To use an AirPrint-enabled printer, you don't need to install additional drivers or other software.

• Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.
• Make sure that your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Vision Pro is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer.
• When you’re ready to print from an app on your Apple device, choose your printer in the app's print dialog, then print.
• Learn more about how to print from iPhone or iPad or print from Mac.
• For reference: About AirPrint

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article originates from Apple resources. While we strive to assist with Microsoft-related issues, please note that any steps or guidance mentioned here are based on Apple’s documentation and may be subject to their policies and support processes.

Step 4: Restart and Update

Power cycle the printer and check for firmware updates.

Step 5: Report this to Microsoft and Apple

According to my research, I have seen that many users have reported this issue after updating to new iOS version.

Therefore, if the issue still persists after trying the suggested steps, I recommend contacting Microsoft Support or Apple Support to report the problem. They have the necessary tools and resources to troubleshoot this thoroughly.

Note: I truly apologize that, as a forum moderator, I cannot directly contact support on your behalf.

As I can see your tag indicates you’re using an education account, the best approach is to contact your school IT administrator directly. They can verify that your account and domain are correctly configured and, importantly, they can help you report the issue to Microsoft on your behalf. This is often the fastest way to resolve account-related or configuration problems in an education environment.

• Microsoft Support: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus
• Apple Support: https://support.apple.com/contact

Note: Please understand that as forum moderators, our primary goal is to provide helpful guidance and support through general troubleshooting steps. While we don’t have access to internal systems or administrative tools required to resolve account-specific or backend issues, we truly appreciate your understanding of these limitations. We genuinely hope the information we share helps guide you in the right direction, and we're always here to assist as much as we can within our scope. 

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this. If I misunderstand anything, please feel free to reach out.

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

I'm looking forward for your reply.

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Answer 2

It sounds like your printer may have a setting that requires manual confirmation to start printing. Here are a few suggestions to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

1. Check Printer Settings: Look for any settings in the printer's menu that may require confirmation before printing. This could be a setting related to energy saving or a confirmation prompt.
2. Update Printer Driver: Ensure that your printer driver is up to date. An outdated driver can sometimes cause unexpected behavior. You can find the latest driver on the manufacturer's website.
3. Printer Firmware: Check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer. Updating the firmware can resolve various issues, including printing behavior.
4. Check for Print Queue Issues: Sometimes, if there are stuck print jobs in the queue, it can affect how the printer operates. Clear any stuck jobs and try printing again.
5. Consult the Manual: Refer to the printer's user manual for specific troubleshooting steps related to your model.

If these suggestions do not resolve the issue, you may want to contact the printer manufacturer's support for further assistance.

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References:

• Printer isn't responding
• Troubleshooting scenarios for printing