Printing Problems

Fix Microsoft Word Not Printing When Other Apps Print Successfully

Camila Milosovich Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to print documents from Microsoft Word, even though printing works perfectly in other applications.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Not Printing When Nothing Prints

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to print a document directly from Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: Word briefly displays the printer icon and then stops the process without actually printing the document.

Before you start

Ensure your printer is powered on, securely connected to your device, and selected as the default printer. Also, check your computer's print queue to ensure there are no stuck documents blocking new print jobs.

Solution 1Recommended

Save as PDF and Print (Quick Workaround)

Since printing works in other applications, saving your Word document as a PDF allows you to print immediately while avoiding Word's internal printing bugs.

This method is highly effective when you need to print a document urgently but Word refuses to communicate with your printer. PDF viewers handle printing independently from Office.

Save the document as PDF

In Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner and select 'Save As'. Choose 'PDF' from the file format drop-down menu and save the file to your computer.

Open the PDF file

Locate the saved PDF file and open it using a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat, WPS Office, or your web browser.

Print the PDF

Click 'File' and then 'Print' (or press Ctrl + P) from your PDF viewer to successfully print the document.

Save as PDF and Print (Quick Workaround)

Temporary Solution: While this requires an extra step, it guarantees your document will print with its original layout preserved.

Solution 2

Use Microsoft Office Print Troubleshooting Guidance

Follow Microsoft's official diagnostics to resolve underlying software or driver conflicts causing Word to stop printing.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless and Free Document Printing

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with printing errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible Office alternative that handles document processing and printing smoothly without complex driver conflicts.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Open Your Document: Open your existing Word document directly in WPS Writer. Your formatting will remain perfectly intact.
3. Print Seamlessly: Click 'Print' or press Ctrl + P to send the document to your printer without any errors.

100% format compatibility with Microsoft Word documents (.doc, .docx).Built-in PDF conversion and reliable printing capabilities.Lightweight software that reduces system resource usage and software conflicts.Completely free to use with a familiar, user-friendly interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the printer icon flash in Word but nothing prints?

This usually indicates a communication breakdown between Microsoft Word and your printer driver, or a background spooling issue specific to the Office application. The print job is initiated but fails before it can be sent to the printer queue.

How can I quickly print my Word document if Word itself fails?

The fastest workaround is to export or save your document as a PDF file. You can then open the PDF using any PDF reader or modern web browser and print it from there.

Will repairing Microsoft Office fix this printing issue?

Yes, running the Office Repair tool from your system settings can often resolve corrupt files or registry keys that cause printing failures in Word.

Does this issue mean my printer is broken?

No, if you can successfully print from other applications like Notepad, a web browser, or a PDF reader, your printer hardware and basic drivers are working properly. The issue is isolated to Microsoft Word.

Document & File Issues