You click Print, the document appears in the queue, but nothing happens. The printer is connected to WiFi, Windows detects it, and the status looks normal. Yet the page never prints.
This printer not printing but connected problem is extremely common on Windows computers. It can happen after a Windows update, driver installation, network change, or even when printing specific file types like PDFs.
Sometimes the printer works on one device but not another. In other cases, the scanner works perfectly while printing fails completely.
At Printer Offline Fix, we’ve helped thousands of users resolve these problems. The good news is that most printer issues are caused by small configuration errors that can be fixed in just a few minutes.
In this guide, you’ll learn why printers stop printing even when connected and how to fix the issue step-by-step.
Quick Fix: Printer Not Printing
Before diving into advanced troubleshooting, try these quick solutions first.
- Restart the printer and computer
- Check if the printer is set as the default printer
- Restart the Print Spooler service
- Clear the printer queue
- Update the printer driver
- Check the WiFi connection
Many printer problems are resolved with these basic steps.
Why a Printer Stops Printing Even When Connected
When a printer is connected but not printing, the issue is usually related to communication between the computer and printer.
Common causes include:
- Print spooler service errors
- Corrupted print jobs
- Driver conflicts
- Windows updates
- Network connection problems
- Incorrect printer settings
- Ink or cartridge problems
Once the communication breaks, Windows may still show the printer as connected, but printing will not start.
Printer Not Printing but Connected
This is one of the most searched printing issues.
The printer appears connected in Windows, but documents never print.
Fix Method
- Open Control Panel
- Click Devices and Printers
- Right-click the printer
- Select See what’s printing
Check the Printer menu.
If Use Printer Offline is enabled, disable it.
Also make sure the printer is set as the default printer.
Once these settings are corrected, printing usually resumes immediately.
Printer Not Printing From Laptop
Sometimes the printer works fine from one device but not from a laptop.
This usually indicates a device-specific configuration issue.
Possible causes include:
- Incorrect driver installation
- Network discovery disabled
- Laptop connected to different WiFi network
Fix
Make sure both the laptop and printer are connected to the same network.
If the issue continues, remove and reinstall the printer on the laptop.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Select Printers & Scanners
- Remove the printer
- Add the printer again
Reinstalling the printer often fixes device-specific issues.
Printer Not Printing After Update
Many users experience printing problems after installing a Windows update.
Updates sometimes modify printer drivers or printing services.
Fix
Update or reinstall the printer driver.
Steps:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Printers
- Right-click your printer
- Select Update Driver
If updating does not work, uninstall the printer driver and install the latest version from the manufacturer website.
Printer Not Printing Black Ink
If your printer prints color but not black, the issue is usually related to cartridge or print head problems.
Possible causes include:
- Empty black cartridge
- Clogged print head
- Incorrect print settings
Fix
- Check the black ink cartridge
- Run print head cleaning
- Perform nozzle check
Most printers include these options in their maintenance settings.
Cleaning the print head usually restores black printing.
Printer Not Printing Color Correctly
Sometimes printers print pages but the colors look incorrect or faded.
This issue usually occurs due to cartridge alignment or clogged nozzles.
Fix
Run the printer alignment tool.
Steps:
- Open printer settings
- Locate Maintenance
- Run Print Head Alignment
Also check if color cartridges contain enough ink.
Printer Not Printing PDF Files
Many users notice that their printer works normally but fails when printing PDFs.
This problem is often caused by PDF viewer settings or corrupted files.
Fix
Try printing the PDF as an image.
Steps:
- Open the PDF
- Click Print
- Select Advanced
- Enable Print as Image
You can also try using a different PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat.
Printer Not Printing From Chrome
If your printer fails only when printing from Chrome, the issue is usually related to browser settings.
Chrome sometimes sends print jobs differently than other programs.
Fix
Clear the browser cache.
Steps:
- Open Chrome
- Click Settings
- Select Privacy and Security
- Clear browsing data
Restart Chrome and try printing again.
You can also test printing from another browser.
Printer Not Printing After Driver Install
Installing a new printer driver sometimes creates compatibility problems.
The driver may not work properly with your Windows version.
Fix
Roll back the driver.
Steps:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Printers
- Right-click the printer
- Select Properties
- Click Driver
- Choose Roll Back Driver
If rollback is not available, reinstall the driver completely.
Printer Not Printing but Scanner Works
Many all-in-one printers continue scanning even when printing stops working.
This happens because printing and scanning use different services.
The printing service may be failing while scanning remains active.
Fix
Restart the Print Spooler service.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R
- Type msc
- Locate Print Spooler
- Click Restart
This resets the Windows printing system.
Printer Not Printing From WiFi
Wireless printers rely on stable network communication.
If the WiFi signal drops or the printer disconnects, printing may fail.
Fix
Restart the network connection.
- Turn off the printer
- Restart the router
- Turn the printer back on
- Reconnect to WiFi
Also make sure the printer and computer are on the same wireless network.
Additional Tips to Prevent Printing Problems
To reduce the chances of printer issues, follow these tips.
Keep Drivers Updated
Printer manufacturers release updates to improve compatibility.
Maintain Printer Regularly
Cleaning print heads and aligning cartridges improves print quality.
Keep Network Stable
Weak WiFi signals often cause printing errors.
Avoid Overloading Print Queue
Too many print jobs can freeze the spooler system.
When Printer Problems Continue
If your printer still refuses to print after troubleshooting, deeper issues may exist.
Possible causes include:
- Firmware problems
- Corrupted Windows printing service
- Network firewall restrictions
- Hardware issues inside the printer
In these cases, reinstalling the printer or resetting network settings often solves the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my printer connected but not printing?
A printer may be connected but not printing due to spooler errors, driver issues, or incorrect printer settings. Restarting the printer, clearing the print queue, and updating the printer driver usually resolve the issue.
Why does my printer work for scanning but not printing?
Scanning and printing use different services. If the print spooler service stops working, printing may fail while scanning continues to work normally.
Why is my printer not printing from Chrome?
Chrome may send print commands differently than other programs. Clearing the browser cache or printing from another browser usually fixes the issue.
Why is my printer not printing PDF files?
PDF printing problems often occur due to corrupted files or viewer settings. Printing the PDF as an image or using another PDF reader usually resolves the issue.
Why does my printer stop printing after a Windows update?
Windows updates sometimes modify printer drivers or printing services. Updating or reinstalling the printer driver usually fixes the problem.
What is the fastest way to fix a printer not printing?
Restarting the printer, computer, and router is often the fastest solution. This resets the network connection and clears temporary printing errors.
Final Thoughts
The printer not printing but connected problem is frustrating but usually easy to fix.
Most issues occur because of:
- Incorrect printer settings
- Driver conflicts
- Network communication errors
- Print spooler service problems
Restarting devices, updating drivers, and clearing the printer queue solve most printing issues quickly.
If your printer still isn’t working, explore the troubleshooting guides available at Printer Offline Fix to restore printing without complicated technical steps.
