How to Fix Excel Print Jobs Stuck in Queue (Not Responding)
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where print jobs initiated from Excel remain stuck in the Windows print queue, causing the application to freeze and display a 'Not Responding' error.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to print documents from Excel or Outlook over a network or local printer connection.
- Observed behavior
- Print jobs hang in the queue indefinitely without processing, and the Excel application becomes completely unresponsive.
Ensure your computer and printer are connected to the exact same Wi-Fi or local network. Verify that your printer has enough paper, ink, and is not displaying any hardware error lights before proceeding with software troubleshooting.
Restart the Print Spooler Service and Reinstall Printer
Clearing the stuck print queue and refreshing the printer connection is the most effective way to resolve unresponsive printing issues in Windows.
The Windows Print Spooler is a service that temporarily stores print jobs in the computer's memory until the printer is ready. If a job gets corrupted, it can cause Excel to freeze while trying to communicate with the service.
Press Win + R on your keyboard, type 'services.msc', and press Enter. Scroll down to find 'Print Spooler' in the list, right-click it, and select 'Restart'.
Navigate to Windows Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Click on your printer from the list and select 'Remove device'.
In the same 'Printers & scanners' menu, click 'Add a printer or scanner' and follow the on-screen prompts to reinstall the printer using its current driver.
Isolate the Issue using Microsoft Print to PDF
Test if the issue is specific to the physical printer hardware or a general Excel software malfunction.
Add the Printer Manually via IP Address
Bypassing standard network discovery by using a direct IP address connection can resolve persistent Wi-Fi communication errors that stall the print queue.
Switch to WPS Office for Seamless Printing and Spreadsheet Management
If Microsoft Excel frequently crashes or freezes when printing, consider using WPS Office. It provides a stable, lightweight environment for all your spreadsheet tasks with flawless printer integration.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Excel (.xlsx) files without losing any formatting.
- 3. Print Reliably: Go to Menu > Print to send your document reliably to your local or network printer without application crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel say 'Not Responding' only when I try to print?
This usually happens because Excel is trying to communicate with a printer driver or the Windows Print Spooler service, but the connection times out. Corrupted drivers, outdated firmware, or network misconfigurations are the most common culprits.
How do I manually clear a stuck print queue in Windows?
You can clear it by stopping the Print Spooler service in 'services.msc', navigating to the 'C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS' folder, deleting all files inside it, and then restarting the Print Spooler service.
Does updating printer firmware fix Excel printing crashes?
Yes, physical printer manufacturers frequently release firmware updates to resolve communication and compatibility issues with Windows and Office applications. Check your printer manufacturer's official support site for the latest firmware.
Can a weak Wi-Fi connection cause print jobs to get stuck?
Absolutely. If the computer and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network but the signal is weak or unstable, data packets can be lost. This causes the print spooler to hang while waiting for a response, leading the application to stop responding.
