Printing Problems

How to Fix HP OfficeJet 5255 Not Printing Microsoft Word Documents

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to print Microsoft Word documents using an HP OfficeJet 5255 printer, despite the printer successfully printing files from Microsoft Excel.

Product: Microsoft Word, HP OfficeJet 5255
Device & OS: Windows 11 / iPad
Scenario: Attempting to print text documents from Microsoft Word to a connected HP printer.
Observed behavior: The printer fails to process and print documents sent from Microsoft Word, even though it appears to be correctly installed and works with Excel.

Before you start

Ensure your HP OfficeJet 5255 is turned on, securely connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or iPad, and has sufficient ink and paper loaded.

Solution 1Recommended

Reinstall HP Printer Drivers and Adjust Print Settings

Installing the complete and updated HP printer software ensures full driver compatibility with all word processing applications on Windows 11.

Sometimes, basic drivers allow simple applications to print while failing to process the complex formatting sent by Microsoft Word. Updating to the full software suite resolves this communication gap.

Update HP Drivers

Download and install the complete HP printer software and current drivers from the official HP website for your Windows 11 system.

Open Word Directly

Open Microsoft Word directly from the Windows Start menu, rather than opening a file from a cloud shortcut.

Access the Print Menu

Navigate to the top menu, select 'File', and then choose 'Print'.

Select Printer and Print

From the printer drop-down list, confirm that 'HP OfficeJet 5255' is selected, verify your print settings, and click the 'Print' button.

Cloud Storage Note: If your file is stored in OneDrive or Google Drive, try downloading it locally to your computer before printing to rule out cloud synchronization issues.

Solution 2

Install the HP Printer App for iPad Printing

If you are trying to print from an iPad, using the dedicated HP application provides a more reliable connection than standard AirPrint.

Print Documents Easily with WPS Office

Use WPS Writer to Print Your Word Documents Seamlessly

If Microsoft Word continues to have trouble communicating with your HP printer, you can open and print your documents effortlessly using WPS Office. It handles print spooling efficiently and serves as a highly reliable alternative.

1. Open with WPS Writer: Download and install WPS Office. Right-click your problematic Word document and select 'Open with WPS Office'.
2. Access the Print Menu: Click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner of the WPS interface and select 'Print', or simply press Ctrl+P on your keyboard.
3. Select the HP Printer: In the print dialog box, choose 'HP OfficeJet 5255' from the Name drop-down menu.
4. Confirm and Print: Review the print preview on the right to ensure all formatting is correct, then click the 'Print' button to send the job to your printer.

100% format compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) filesReliable built-in printing drivers to bypass application conflictsLightweight application that runs smoothly on Windows 11Completely free to use for everyday document processing and printing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer print from Excel but not Word?

This issue typically occurs due to a corrupted printer driver or a glitch in Microsoft Word's print spooler interaction. Excel and Word process print data differently, so a driver might successfully handle a spreadsheet but fail on a text-heavy document.

How do I clear a stuck print queue on Windows 11?

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select your HP printer and click 'Open print queue'. Click the three dots menu and choose 'Cancel all documents' to clear any stuck print jobs.

Can I save my Word document as a PDF to print it?

Yes. If Microsoft Word refuses to print, go to File > Save As and select PDF as the format. You can then open the PDF using your web browser or a dedicated PDF reader and print it successfully.

Does the HP Smart app work with third-party apps on iPad?

Yes, you can export or share your document from third-party office applications directly to the HP Smart app on your iPad to process the print job.

Document & File Issues