Printing Problems

Fix Word Printing Problems After a Windows 11 Update

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to print Word documents after installing a recent Windows 11 update, despite having checked printer drivers and default settings.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Attempting to print a text document from a word processor after a system update has been applied.
Observed behavior: Word documents fail to print even though basic troubleshooting steps like restarting, checking software, and verifying default-printer settings have been performed.

Before you start

Ensure your printer is powered on, securely connected to your PC via USB or Wi-Fi, and that you have cleared any pending documents from the Windows print queue.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Printer Selection and Print Preview in Word

Ensure that Word has not defaulted to a virtual printer or lost connection to your physical printer during the Windows update.

Windows 11 updates can occasionally reset your default printer settings, causing Microsoft Word to send documents to software-based printers (like 'Microsoft Print to PDF') instead of your actual hardware device.

Open the Print Menu

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

Check the Active Printer

Look under the 'Printer' dropdown menu and verify that your actual physical printer (e.g., your Epson device) is selected and shows a 'Ready' status.

Inspect the Print Preview

Check the Print Preview pane on the right side of the window. If the document displays correctly here, try clicking the 'Print' button again.

Status Warning: If your printer status says 'Offline', you may need to wake the printer up or reconnect it to your network before Word can send the document.

Solution 2

Test Printing from Another Application

Determine whether the printing failure is isolated to Microsoft Word or if it is a system-wide issue affecting all Windows 11 applications.

Solution 3

Reinstall Manufacturer Printer Drivers

Uninstall the current printer driver and install the latest Windows 11-compatible version directly from the manufacturer to fix update-related conflicts.

Print Word Documents Easily

Use WPS Office to Print Your Word Documents

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with printing after Windows 11 updates, you can use WPS Office to instantly open, preview, and successfully print your files. It bypasses many common Word-specific printing glitches while maintaining your original document formatting.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office on your Windows 11 computer.
2. Open Your Document: Right-click your problematic Word document, hover over 'Open with', and select 'WPS Office' from the list.
3. Print the File: Click the 'Print' icon in the top toolbar or press Ctrl + P, select your physical printer, and click 'Print' to get your hard copies.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx and .doc) formatsStable and reliable printing performance on Windows 11Lightweight design ensures fast loading and document processingFree alternative for everyday document editing and printing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my printer stop working only in Word after a Windows 11 update?

Windows updates can sometimes overwrite background printing protocols or disrupt the specific way Microsoft Office applications communicate with the Windows Print Spooler. This results in Word failing to print while other simple applications like Notepad or Edge remain unaffected.

How do I clear the Windows 11 print spooler if documents are stuck?

Press Windows + R, type 'services.msc', and press Enter. Scroll down to 'Print Spooler', right-click it, and select 'Restart'. If that doesn't work, right-click and 'Stop' the service, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, delete all files in that folder, and then 'Start' the Print Spooler service again.

Can I save my Word document as a PDF to bypass the printing error?

Yes. If Word refuses to print to your physical printer, you can go to File > Save As, choose 'PDF' as the format, and save the file. You can then open the newly created PDF in your web browser or a PDF reader and print it from there.

Does rolling back the recent Windows update fix Word printing problems?

If the printing issue started immediately after an update and updating drivers does not fix it, rolling back the update can be a temporary solution. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, and remove the most recently installed package.

Document & File Issues