Printing Problems

Fix Word 2016 Not Printing on Windows 11

Rana Garcia Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

Microsoft Word 2016 fails to print documents, immediately returning to the editing screen without sending the job to the printer.

How to Fix Word 2016 Not Printing on Windows 11

Product: Microsoft Word 2016
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Attempting to print a Word document using the standard Print dialog.
Observed behavior: When Print is selected, Word immediately returns to the document without producing any output or error message, despite the printer functioning perfectly in other Office apps and Windows programs.

Before you start

Ensure your printer is powered on, securely connected to your Windows 11 computer, and has adequate paper and ink before adjusting software settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Word Print Settings and Default Printer

Confirm that Word is sending the document to the correct active printer, as application-specific settings can sometimes override system defaults.

Even if Windows 11 has the correct default printer configured, Microsoft Word may still be trying to send the document to a disconnected, virtual, or offline printer.

Open the Print Dialog

In Word 2016, click on 'File' in the top-left corner and select 'Print' from the left-hand menu.

Check the Selected Printer

Look under the 'Printer' drop-down menu. Verify that your actual, physical printer is selected rather than 'Microsoft Print to PDF' or 'Send to OneNote'.

Test with a Blank Document

Create a completely new, blank document, type a single word, and attempt to print it. This helps rule out file-specific corruption.

Verify Word Print Settings and Default Printer

Let Windows Manage Default Printer: You can go to Windows 11 Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, and turn off 'Let Windows manage my default printer' to manually enforce your preferred printer.

Solution 2

Launch Word in Safe Mode

Starting Word in Safe Mode temporarily disables all add-ins and custom templates that might be interfering with the print spooler.

Solution 3

Repair Microsoft Office 2016 Installation

Use the built-in Windows repair tool to fix corrupted Office program files that handle printing protocols.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Print Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word 2016 continues to experience printing failures on Windows 11, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a powerful, free alternative that offers a highly reliable printing system and full compatibility with all your existing Word documents.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Open Your Document: Right-click your Word document, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Writer.
3. Print Instantly: Click File > Print or press Ctrl+P to reliably print your document without the errors experienced in Word 2016.

Seamlessly open, edit, and print Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsFree and lightweight software that won't burden your Windows 11 systemFamiliar user interface requiring zero learning curve for Office usersBuilt-in, stable print spooler management

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't Word 2016 print when Excel and other programs print fine?

This isolated issue usually points to a problem within Word itself, such as a corrupted 'Normal.dotm' template, a malfunctioning Word add-in, or incorrect application-specific print settings, rather than a system-wide printer driver issue.

Will reinstalling my printer driver fix this Word 2016 issue?

If the printer successfully prints from other applications like Excel or your web browser, reinstalling the driver rarely fixes the issue. It is better to focus on repairing the Microsoft Office installation or testing Word in Safe Mode.

How do I know if a document is stuck in the Windows 11 print queue?

Go to Windows 11 Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select your printer and click 'Open print queue'. If you see documents listed with an 'Error' status, right-click them and select 'Cancel' to clear the queue.

Document & File Issues