ClearHelpTech help made simple.Search
Printers

Why is my printer not printing?

Reviewed by John Porter, Editor ·

Answer

If the printer looks online but nothing prints, check its screen for a jam, open cover, empty tray, paper mismatch, or low ink or toner. Confirm the correct printer is selected, cancel a stuck job, and try a one-page test from another app. A successful built-in test page usually points to the computer, app, queue, or driver; a failed built-in test points to the printer or supplies.

Before you start: stop right away if…

  • Do not force paper or open internal covers while the printer is powered unless the manual says it is safe; rollers can move and fusers can be hot.
  • Canceling jobs or reinstalling a printer can delete pending prints and saved presets.

Follow these steps

  1. Read the printer screen

    Check the printer display for jam, cover, paper, ink, toner, or maintenance messages. Clear only problems you can identify safely using the model’s guide—do not force rollers or reach into a powered machine.

    You should see: Obvious printer errors are cleared, or you know the exact code to look up.

  2. Confirm the selected printer

    Open Print in the app and confirm the physical printer you want is selected—not an old duplicate, fax, or Save as PDF option. Set it as default only if it is your usual printer.

    You should see: Jobs are aimed at the correct Ready printer.

  3. Clear a stuck job and retry

    Open the print queue, cancel one stuck or failed job, resume the queue if it is paused, then print a single-page test from a simple app such as Notes or Notepad.

    You should see: The new test job starts moving through the queue or prints successfully.

  4. Print a printer test page

    Use the printer’s own menu or buttons to print a built-in test, configuration, or nozzle-check page if the model supports it.

    You should see: A successful built-in page suggests a computer, app, or driver issue; a failed built-in page suggests the printer or supplies.

  5. Check supplies and connection

    Confirm ink or toner levels and that cartridges or toner are seated correctly for your model. Recheck USB or Wi-Fi so the printer and device stay on the same path, then retry the one-page test.

    You should see: Supplies and connection look normal, or a supply or cable problem is identified.

  6. Use official troubleshoot or reinstall last

    Run the Windows printer troubleshooter or, on a Mac, check Printers & Scanners and the queue in Print Center. If needed, remove and re-add the printer using only the manufacturer’s current driver or setup tool for your exact model.

    You should see: A fresh setup accepts a one-page test, or the problem is isolated to one app or device.

Not sure this is the right page? Check here

0 of 6 checked

Extra tips

What to look for: A paper, cover, jam, ink, toner, or maintenance message; a job stuck as Pending or Printing; the wrong printer name in the Print window; a paused queue; or a printer that can print its own status page but not a computer document

Before you change anything: Save the document you are trying to print. Write down the exact message on the printer and computer. If the printer shows Offline, fix that first. Find the exact model number before buying supplies or installing software. Use one sheet of ordinary paper for test jobs.

Choose the guide that matches what you see. These problems can look similar but need different checks.

Need a little more help?

Tell us what’s happening. Your saved expert chat will open beside this article.

Free to use. Don’t include passwords or personal details.

Have a different problem?