Printing Problems

Fix Word Header Images Missing When Printing from a File Server

Guest Writer Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

Header images and WordArt do not print when the document is opened from a file server, despite appearing correctly in the print preview.

How to Fix Word Header Images Missing When Printing from a File Server

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing a network-hosted Word document that contains letterhead logos and WordArt in the header.
Observed behavior: Graphics in the header show up in print preview but are missing on the physical printout. The issue resolves when the file is copied to and printed from the local desktop.

Before you start

Before proceeding, check your network connection and ensure your user account has full read permissions for the file server hosting the document.

Solution 1Recommended

Save the Document to Your Local Desktop

Copying the file to your local computer often bypasses network permission restrictions that block linked graphics from rendering during the print spooling process.

Network security policies or restricted folder permissions on file servers can sometimes prevent Microsoft Word from properly reading and spooling embedded or linked images in the document header.

Locate the file

Open File Explorer and navigate to the network drive or file server location where the Word document is saved.

Copy the document

Right-click the affected Word document and select 'Copy'.

Paste locally

Navigate to your local Desktop or Documents folder, right-click an empty space, and select 'Paste'.

Test printing

Open the local copy of the document, go to File > Print, and check if the header images print successfully.

Quick Workaround: If printing locally works, this confirms the document is not corrupted and the issue is strictly related to network permissions or file server settings.

Solution 2

Update Word and Verify Print Display Options

A known bug in certain versions like Word 2021 can prevent watermarks and header images from printing. Updating the software and checking print settings can resolve this.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Print Network Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office

If network printing bugs persist in Microsoft Word, try WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight alternative that reliably renders document formatting, headers, and images without typical network spooling errors.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and complete the installation.
2. Open the Network File: Launch WPS Writer, click 'Open', and select your document directly from the file server.
3. Print Successfully: Click the Print icon or press Ctrl+P. Your document will print perfectly with all header graphics intact.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and documents.Flawless rendering of header images, WordArt, and watermarks during printing.Lightweight application that opens large network files quickly without freezing.Free to use with a familiar UI, making migration effortless.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Word images show in print preview but not on paper?

This usually happens due to restricted network drive permissions blocking the print spooler from reading the image data, outdated printer drivers, or having the 'Print background colors and images' option disabled in Word's Display settings.

How do I ensure WordArt and logos in headers always print?

Go to File > Options > Display in Word, and verify that 'Print drawings created in Word' is enabled under the Printing options section. This forces Word to process graphical elements when sending data to the printer.

Does saving a network file locally resolve formatting issues?

Yes. Copying a file from a shared server to your local desktop circumvents network permission barriers and latency that sometimes block linked resources, like header graphics or external datasets, from rendering properly.

Document & File Issues