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How to Fix Microsoft Word Not Printing (But Other Apps Print normally)
Question details
The user is unable to print documents directly from Microsoft Word, although other applications on the same computer can print without any issues.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a text document directly to a connected or network printer using Microsoft Word.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word fails to print to any printer and does not display an error message. Other programs like Excel, PDFs, and webpages print successfully, and converting the Word file to PDF allows it to print.
Ensure that your printer is set as the default device in your system settings and clear any pending jobs in the print queue before troubleshooting the Word application.
Open Word in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins
Running Word in Safe Mode bypasses add-ins and custom settings that might be interfering with the print spooler.
Third-party add-ins, especially those related to PDF creators or external software integrations, can sometimes corrupt Word's printing capabilities. Testing in Safe Mode helps isolate this issue.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type 'winword /safe' and press Enter to open Word in Safe Mode.
Open the document you want to print and try printing it. If it prints successfully, an add-in is the root cause.
Go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, change the Manage dropdown to 'COM Add-ins' and click Go.
Uncheck all listed add-ins to disable them, click OK, and restart Microsoft Word normally to see if the printing issue is resolved.
Repair the Microsoft Office Installation
If Word's core files are corrupted or missing, running the built-in Microsoft Office repair tool can fix application-specific printing failures.
Use the PDF Conversion Workaround
A quick temporary fix to get your document printed immediately while you troubleshoot the Microsoft Word application.
Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Printing and Formatting
If Microsoft Word continues to give you printing errors, try WPS Office. It's a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that opens Word documents seamlessly and prints without the hassle.
- 1. Download and install: Download WPS Office Free from the official website and complete the quick installation.
- 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx or .doc file. The formatting will remain perfectly intact.
- 3. Print with ease: Go to Menu > Print or press Ctrl+P, select your printer, and click Print to get your physical copies instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word say it is printing but nothing comes out?
This often happens due to a corrupted print spooler, a faulty background printing setting in Word, or an interfering third-party add-in. It can also occur if the printer driver is incompatible with your specific version of Office.
How do I toggle background printing in Microsoft Word?
Go to File > Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the 'Print' section and toggle the checkbox for 'Print in background'. Disabling this feature often resolves issues where documents get stuck before reaching the printer.
Can a corrupted document prevent Word from printing?
Yes. If only one specific document fails to print while others print successfully, the file itself might be corrupted. Try copying all the text (excluding the final paragraph mark) and pasting it into a new, blank Word document.
Will reinstalling the printer driver fix Word-specific printing issues?
Sometimes. Even if other apps print fine, Word interacts with printer drivers differently (using advanced layout and font rendering). Updating or cleanly reinstalling your printer driver from the manufacturer's website can resolve these specific communication errors.
