Printing Problems

How to Fix Microsoft Word Not Printing in Windows 11

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where Microsoft Word documents fail to print in Windows 11, while other applications like Excel, PowerPoint, and WordPad print without any issues.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Attempting to print text documents from Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word documents do not print, despite the printer functioning perfectly for images and other file types.

Before you start

Before making system changes, verify if the printing issue affects all Microsoft Word documents or just a single specific file by creating and printing a blank test document.

Solution 1Recommended

Run a Quick Repair for Microsoft Office

Using the built-in Windows 11 repair tool can fix corrupted Office files that may be preventing Word from communicating with your printer.

Microsoft Office includes a built-in repair utility that scans for and resolves missing or damaged application files without affecting your personal documents.

Open Windows Settings

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, then navigate to 'Apps' and select 'Installed apps' (or 'Apps & features').

Locate Microsoft Office

Scroll down or use the search bar to find your 'Microsoft Office' installation in the app list.

Modify the Installation

Click the three dots next to Microsoft Office and select 'Modify'. If prompted by User Account Control, click 'Yes'.

Run Quick Repair

Choose 'Quick Repair' from the prompt and click the 'Repair' button to begin the process.

Online Repair: If Quick Repair does not resolve the issue, you can repeat the process and select 'Online Repair' for a more thorough fix, though this will require an internet connection.

Solution 2

Install the Latest Printer Drivers

Outdated or incompatible printer drivers can cause specific software like Microsoft Word to fail during print jobs.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Print Your Documents Flawlessly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word continues to give you printing errors on Windows 11, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that seamlessly handles your existing Word documents without the printing glitches.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Open Your Document: Right-click your troublesome Word document and select 'Open with' > 'WPS Office'.
3. Print Easily: Click the 'Print' icon in the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P to smoothly print your document.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Reliable printing functionality across all Windows 11 devices and modern printers.Lightweight installation that uses minimal system resources.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do other programs print fine but Microsoft Word won't?

This typically happens due to a corrupted Word template (Normal.dotm), damaged Microsoft Office installation files, or a background add-in specifically interfering with Word's ability to communicate with the print spooler.

How can I tell if only one Word document is corrupted?

Create a brand new, blank Word document, type a few random words, and try to print it. If it prints successfully, the original document is likely corrupted. If the blank document fails, the issue lies with the Word application itself.

Can saving the Word document as a PDF fix the printing error?

Yes, as a quick workaround, you can go to 'File' > 'Save As' and choose the PDF format. You can then open the newly created PDF file in a PDF reader or your web browser and print it from there without issue.

Document & File Issues