Printing Problems

Fix Microsoft Word Will Not Print But Excel and PDF Will

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to print documents from Microsoft Word, despite being able to print Excel spreadsheets and PDF files without any hardware issues.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to print a Word document after verifying the physical printer works correctly with other applications.
Observed behavior: Word fails to print the document entirely, even after repairing Office, updating printer drivers, and replacing the printer hardware.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all open Word documents and back up your Windows Registry before making any system changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Test with Microsoft Print to PDF

Use the virtual PDF printer to determine if the issue is with Word's internal rendering or a specific printer driver conflict.

By printing to a virtual PDF printer, you bypass your physical printer's drivers. If this works, Word is functioning correctly, and the issue lies in how Word communicates with your specific printer.

Open Print Dialog

Open your document in Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Print'.

Select PDF Printer

Under the Printer dropdown menu, select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' and click the 'Print' button.

Save and Check

Choose a save location for the PDF. If the PDF generates successfully, your physical printer drivers may need a complete clean reinstall.

Solution 2

Launch Word in Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables all third-party add-ins and custom templates, helping identify if background software is causing the printing failure.

Solution 3

Reset Normal.dotm and Registry Settings

Renaming Word's default template and resetting its registry keys can clear deep-seated corruptions preventing printing.

Print Word Documents Seamlessly

Print Your Word Documents Instantly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word continues to fail and you urgently need your document printed, you can easily open and print your .docx files using WPS Office. It provides an independent printing pathway that avoids Word's registry errors.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office on your computer.
2. Open the Document: Right-click your problematic Word document, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office from the list.
3. Print Directly: Once the document is open in WPS Writer, click the 'Print' icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl + P.
4. Select Printer: Choose your physical printer from the dropdown menu and click 'Print' to bypass the MS Word error.

100% compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx)Independent printing mechanism that bypasses corrupted Office templatesFree, lightweight, and fast installation for urgent document tasks

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel print fine but Word refuses to print?

Word and Excel use different internal rendering engines and background templates. Word heavily relies on its Normal.dotm template and specific registry keys for page layout, which can become corrupted independently of Excel's settings.

Will renaming Normal.dotm delete my saved documents?

No. Normal.dotm is just a default blank template that dictates margins, fonts, and macros for new files. Renaming it safely forces Word to generate a fresh, uncorrupted template without affecting your saved documents.

What does testing with 'Microsoft Print to PDF' actually prove?

It tests if Word's internal printing mechanism is still functioning. If Word successfully creates a PDF but fails with a physical printer, the issue is likely a miscommunication or conflict between Word and that specific printer's driver.

Document & File Issues