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‎support/windows-server/printing/printer-not-responding.md‎

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---
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title: Printer Not Responding
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description: Provides solutions to an issue where a printer isn't responding.
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ms.date: 03/31/2025
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manager: dcscontentpm
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audience: itpro
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ms.topic: troubleshooting
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ms.reviewer: kaushika, warrenw, v-lianna
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ms.custom:
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- sap:print,fax,and scan\print configuration or management
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- pcy:WinComm User Experience
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---
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# Printer isn't responding
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This article provides solutions to an issue where a printer isn't responding.
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When a printer isn't responding, it generally means that the printer can't communicate with the computer device or the server. This issue occurs for several reasons, for example:
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- Network communication problem with the device
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- Unstable printer state or error state
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- Driver outdated or corrupt
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To resolve the issue, perform the following verifications in order:
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## 1. Check the printer connection
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Ensure that the printer is properly connected to your computer or network:
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- For wired printers, make sure the cable is securely plugged in.
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- For wireless printers, verify that the printer is connected to a functioning Wi-Fi network.
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## 2. Check if the printer is in a problematic state
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Check the printer's display panel or the printer status on your computer. If the printer is in a **Stopped** state, add the **Status Reason** column to see if there's an error such as **Out of toner** or **Off-line**.
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## 3. Check the printer properties
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## 3. Check the printer properties
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Right-click the printer icon and select **Properties**. Select the **General** tab and check the device status message. It might indicate a problem or provide an error code to check online or in the printer manual.
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Right-click the printer icon and select **Properties**. Select the **General** tab and check the device status message. It might indicate a problem or provide an error code to check online or in the printer manual.
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Turn off the printer, wait about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. This action can often resolve temporary issues.
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## 4. Restart the printer
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Turn off the printer, wait about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. This action can often resolve temporary issues.
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Run the built-in printer troubleshooter on your Windows computer. To do so, go to **Settings** > **System** > **Troubleshoot** > **Other troubleshooters**, and then select **Run** next to **Printer**.
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## 6. Reinstall the printer driver
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Right-click your printer in Device Manager and select **Uninstall device**. Then, restart your computer and reinstall the driver.
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If the driver is the latest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) version, try switching to a generic in-box driver.
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## 6. Reinstall the printer driver
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Restart the Print Spooler service to clear any stuck print jobs by using one of the following methods. For more information, see [Printing issues caused by the Print Spooler service not running](print-spooler-service-not-running.md).
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If the driver is the latest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) version, try switching to a generic in-box driver.
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## 7. Check the Print Spooler service state
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Restart the Print Spooler service to clear any stuck print jobs by using one of the following methods. For more information, see [Printing issues caused by the Print Spooler service not running](print-spooler-service-not-running.md).
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### Manually restart the service
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In the **Services** application, right-click **Print Spooler** in the list, and select **Restart**.
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### Use Command Prompt
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Type **cmd** in the search bar, right-click **Command Prompt**, and select **Run as administrator** to open Command Prompt as an administrator. Run the following commands and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each one:
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```console
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-net stop spooler
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```
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```console
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-net start spooler
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```
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### Use Windows PowerShell
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Type **powershell** in the search bar, right-click **Windows PowerShell**, and select **Run as administrator** to open PowerShell as an administrator. Run the following cmdlet and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>:
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```powershell
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Restart-Service -Name spooler
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```
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## 8. Verify the printer queue status
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## 9. Update the printer firmware
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Check the manufacturer's website for any firmware updates available for your printer.
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1. Stop the Print Spooler service.
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2. Open File Explorer and navigate to **C:\\Windows\\System32\\spool\\PRINTERS**.
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If you need assistance from Microsoft support, we recommend you collect the information by following the steps mentioned in [Gather information by using TSS for user experience-related issues](../../windows-client/windows-tss/gather-information-using-tss-user-experience.md#printing).
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4. Restart the Print Spooler service.
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## 9. Update the printer firmware
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Check the manufacturer's website for any firmware updates available for your printer.
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## Data collection
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If you need assistance from Microsoft support, we recommend you collect the information by following the steps mentioned in [Gather information by using TSS for user experience-related issues](../../windows-client/windows-tss/gather-information-using-tss-user-experience.md#printing).
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---
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title: Printer Not Responding
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description: Provides solutions to an issue where a printer isn't responding.
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ms.date: 03/31/2025
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manager: dcscontentpm
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audience: itpro
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ms.topic: troubleshooting
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ms.reviewer: kaushika, warrenw, v-lianna
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ms.custom:
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- sap:print,fax,and scan\print configuration or management
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- pcy:WinComm User Experience
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---
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# Printer isn't responding
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This article provides solutions to an issue where a printer isn't responding.
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When a printer isn't responding, it generally means that the printer can't communicate with the computer device or the server. This issue occurs for several reasons, for example:
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- Network communication problem with the device
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- Unstable printer state or error state
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- Driver outdated or corrupt
22+
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To resolve the issue, perform the following verifications in order:
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## 1. Check the printer connection
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Ensure that the printer is properly connected to your computer or network:
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- For wired printers, make sure the cable is securely plugged in.
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- For wireless printers, verify that the printer is connected to a functioning Wi-Fi network.
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## 2. Check if the printer is in a problematic state
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Check the printer's display panel or the printer status on your computer. If the printer is in a **Stopped** state, add the **Status Reason** column to see if there's an error, such as **Out of toner** or **Off-line**.
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## 3. Check the printer properties
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Right-click the printer icon and select **Properties**. Select the **General** tab and check the device status message. It might indicate a problem or provide an error code to check online or in the printer manual.
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## 4. Restart the printer
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Turn off the printer, wait about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. This action can often resolve temporary issues.
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## 5. Run the printer troubleshooter
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Run the built-in printer troubleshooter on your Windows computer. To do so, go to **Settings** > **System** > **Troubleshoot** > **Other troubleshooters**, and then select **Run** next to **Printer**.
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## 6. Reinstall the printer driver
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Right-click your printer in Device Manager and select **Uninstall device**. Then, restart your computer and reinstall the driver.
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If the driver is the latest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) version, try switching to a generic in-box driver.
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## 7. Check the Print Spooler service state
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Restart the Print Spooler service to clear any stuck print jobs by using one of the following methods. For more information, see [Printing issues caused by the Print Spooler service not running](print-spooler-service-not-running.md).
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### Manually restart the service
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In the **Services** application, right-click **Print Spooler** in the list, and select **Restart**.
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### Use Command Prompt
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Type **cmd** in the search bar, right-click **Command Prompt**, and select **Run as administrator** to open Command Prompt as an administrator. Run the following commands and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> after each one:
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```console
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-net stop spooler
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```
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```console
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-net start spooler
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```
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### Use Windows PowerShell
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Type **powershell** in the search bar, right-click **Windows PowerShell**, and select **Run as administrator** to open PowerShell as an administrator. Run the following cmdlet and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>:
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```powershell
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Restart-Service -Name spooler
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```
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## 8. Verify the printer queue status
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If there are any stuck print jobs, clear the queue and resubmit the print job.
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To delete any files stuck in the queue, follow these steps:
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1. Stop the Print Spooler service.
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2. Open File Explorer and navigate to **C:\\Windows\\System32\\spool\\PRINTERS**.
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3. Delete all files (`.shd` files) in this folder. These files are the print jobs that are stuck in the queue.
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4. Restart the Print Spooler service.
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## 9. Update the printer firmware
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Check the manufacturer's website for any firmware updates available for your printer.
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## Data collection
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If you need assistance from Microsoft support, we recommend you collect the information by following the steps mentioned in [Gather information by using TSS for user experience-related issues](../../windows-client/windows-tss/gather-information-using-tss-user-experience.md#printing).

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