Why Is My Printer Connected But Not Printing?
A printer can show connected but still fail to print when the computer cannot send the job correctly, the print queue is stuck, the wrong printer is selected, the driver is damaged, the printer is offline in software settings, or the printer has a hidden hardware warning. This issue is common on Windows 11, Windows 10 and Mac computers.
Sometimes the printer is connected to WiFi and appears online, but the computer is trying to print to an old duplicate printer entry. In other cases, the printer driver is outdated or the print spooler service is stuck. The best fix is to start with simple checks before reinstalling everything.
Before making changes: Check the printer screen for paper jam, low ink, toner, cartridge, empty tray or cover-open messages. A connected printer will not print correctly if the printer itself is showing a physical error.
Before You Start
- Make sure the printer is turned on and ready.
- Load paper into the printer tray.
- Check ink or toner level.
- Restart the printer and computer.
- Confirm the printer is connected by WiFi, Ethernet or USB.
- Use the correct printer name while printing.
- Cancel stuck print jobs before trying again.
Step 1 — Clear the Print Queue
A stuck print job is one of the most common reasons a printer is connected but not printing. If one old job is frozen, every new print command may stay behind it.
Clear Print Queue on Windows
- Open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices.
- Select Printers & scanners.
- Choose your printer.
- Open the print queue.
- Cancel all stuck print jobs.
- Restart the printer and try printing again.
Clear Print Queue on Mac
- Open System Settings.
- Go to Printers & Scanners.
- Select your printer.
- Open the printer queue.
- Cancel stuck jobs.
- Restart the printer and print a test page.
Step 2 — Set the Correct Printer as Default
If your computer has multiple printer entries, the print command may be going to an old printer, a duplicate printer, Microsoft Print to PDF, OneNote, or a printer that is no longer connected.
- Open printer settings.
- Select your active printer.
- Set it as the default printer.
- Remove old duplicate printer entries if needed.
- Try printing a simple test page.
Tip: If you see two similar printer names, use the one that shows Ready or Online. Remove the old copy only after confirming the correct printer works.
Step 3 — Restart Print Spooler on Windows
Print Spooler is the Windows service that manages print jobs. If it gets stuck, your printer may be connected but nothing prints.
Restart Print Spooler
- Press Windows + R.
- Type services.msc and press Enter.
- Find Print Spooler.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Try printing again.
Step 4 — Update or Reinstall Printer Driver
A damaged or outdated printer driver can stop printing even when the printer is connected. Driver problems may appear after a Windows update, printer firmware update, new router setup or failed installation.
- Remove the printer from Windows or Mac printer settings.
- Restart the computer.
- Download the correct driver from the official printer brand website.
- Install the driver for your exact printer model.
- Add the printer again.
- Print a test page.
Safety note: Avoid fake driver download websites. Use official brand support pages only for HP, Canon, Epson, Brother or your printer manufacturer.
Step 5 — Check WiFi, USB or Ethernet Connection
A printer may look connected but still have a weak or unstable connection. Wireless printers can disconnect during sleep mode or after router changes.
WiFi Printer
Confirm the printer and computer are connected to the same WiFi network. Avoid guest WiFi during printing.
USB Printer
Try a different USB port and avoid loose cables or USB hubs during troubleshooting.
Network Printer
Restart the router and printer if the network printer stops responding.
Printer Connected But Not Printing on Windows 11/10
On Windows, this problem is often caused by stuck print jobs, Print Spooler issues, wrong default printer, driver unavailable errors or duplicate printer copies.
- Restart printer and PC.
- Clear the print queue.
- Set the correct printer as default.
- Restart Print Spooler.
- Remove duplicate printer entries.
- Update or reinstall the printer driver.
- Run Windows printer troubleshooter if needed.
Printer Connected But Not Printing on Mac
On Mac, a printer may stop printing because of a stuck queue, AirPrint issue, old printer entry or network discovery problem.
- Open Printers & Scanners.
- Select the printer.
- Open the queue and cancel stuck jobs.
- Remove the printer if it still fails.
- Restart Mac and printer.
- Add the printer again using AirPrint or available driver.
- Print a test page.
Printer Connected But Not Printing Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Likely Cause | Best First Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Printer connected but no print output | Stuck print queue | Cancel all print jobs and restart printer |
| Printer says ready but will not print | Wrong default printer | Select the correct printer as default |
| Jobs stuck in queue | Print Spooler issue | Restart Print Spooler |
| Driver unavailable | Missing or damaged driver | Install official printer driver |
| Wireless printer not printing | Different WiFi or weak signal | Connect printer and computer to same WiFi |
| Printer prints from phone but not PC | Windows printer entry issue | Remove and re-add printer on Windows |
When You Should Get Help
You may need help if your printer is connected but still not printing after clearing the queue, restarting the spooler, reinstalling the driver and checking the connection. The issue may involve Windows services, router settings, printer firmware, corrupted drivers or deeper system errors.