5 Ways to Fix Word Not Responding When Printing

Basic Fixes

• Restart MS Word: If Word is not printing a document, or if it takes forever to do so – you can try restarting the app. This will refresh the app and may get rid of the bug that was affecting it.
• Restart Printer: If there’s a connectivity issue with your PC, restarting your printer may help. This establishes a fresh bridge between your PC and the printer.
• Check network connection for wireless printing: If you’re using a wireless printer, make sure that you’re not facing any issues with your internet.
• Run one print job at a time: Make sure you have one active printing job at a time. Trying to print multiple documents at once can deplete available memory and CPU for MS Word.

Fix 1: Restart Printer Spool Service

The print spooler, a Windows service managing print jobs, can face problems such as corrupted jobs or errors, affecting printing. Restarting the spooler clears stuck print jobs, enabling new ones to proceed, and resets the spooler, eliminating temporary issues.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run menu. Type services.msc and hit the Enter key.

Step 2: It will open the Services menu. Scroll down to Print Spooler. Right-click on it and open the Properties from the context menu.

Step 3: Select Automatic from the Startup type menu and ensure it shows the running service status.

Fix 2: Re-Install Printer Drivers

If there’s any issue with the drivers installed on your PC, it may affect printing jobs within apps. Therefore, try re-installing the printer drivers on your PC. This will install a fresh version of drivers that may be free from any bugs, or corrupted components.

Step 1: Open the Device Manager app from the Start menu.

Step 2: Expand Print queues. Right-click on your printer from the list.

Step 2: Select Uninstall device from the context menu.

Step 5: Close the Device Manager menu and restart the PC.

Your computer will install the required printer drivers during the reboot process.

Fix 3: Remove and Add the Printer

If the printer and its related components are not installed correctly on your PC, you may have issues with printing documents. Therefore, try removing the printer from your PC, and add it once again.

Step 1: Open the Settings menu on Windows. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar. Select Printers & scanners from the right pane.

Step 2: Open your printer from the list of devices. Select Remove from the following menu.

Step 3: Now, go back to the Printers & scanners menu and select ‘Add device.’ Connect your printer, and wait for your PC to recognize it.

Fix 4: Export the Document as PDF and Print

If Microsoft Word stops responding when printing, you can move out of the environment and print it externally. You can do so by exporting the document as a PDF and then printing the document.

All you need to do is click on File -> Export and select the PDF option. Select a destination of your choice to save the document.

Open the saved PDF, and then try printing the same.

Also Read: Fix printer on Windows keeps printing landscape instead of portrait.

Fix 5: Repair Microsoft Office

If there’s any bug with Microsoft Office, and Word is not responding when you’re printing – you can try repairing the app. Your PC can help detect problems with Microsoft Word, and quickly fix them.

Step 1: Open the Settings app. Click on Apps in the sidebar and go to Apps & features.

Step 2: Scroll down to find Microsoft Office and click on the three dots next to it. Click on Modify.

Step 3: Use either of the options to repair Microsoft Office and Click on Repair. You will be able to repair and fix the issues affecting it.

Also Read: Best all-in-one printers for home use.

If none of the above methods work, you can upload the Word document to Google Docs, or Microsoft Office online and then print the same.