Printing Problems

How to Fix Printer Prints Test Page But Not Word or Office Documents

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to print documents from applications like Microsoft Word, WordPad, and Adobe on a Windows 11 system, even though the printer successfully prints system test pages and screenshots.

Product: Microsoft Word / Adobe / WordPad
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Attempting to print text documents or PDFs from standard office and document applications.
Observed behavior: The printer outputs basic test pages and screenshots without error but ignores or fails to print any documents sent from Word, Adobe, or WordPad.

Before you start

Ensure your printer is properly connected to your computer and turned on. Check that there are no flashing error lights on the printer hardware, and save any open documents to prevent data loss during troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear the Print Queue and Verify Default Printer

Use this method to clear any stuck document data that might be blocking new application print jobs from processing.

Often, a stalled background print job from another program can block Office documents from printing, even if test pages can bypass the queue directly from the system settings.

Open Printer Settings

Navigate to the Start menu, open Settings, and go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

Set as Default

Click on your active printer from the list and ensure it is selected as your default printer.

Clear Print Queue

Click 'Open print queue'. Click the three-dot menu icon at the top of the queue window, and select 'Cancel all documents' to clear out any stuck jobs.

Solution 2

Identify Application-Specific Issues and Repair

This step helps determine if the printing failure is isolated to a single corrupted program like Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat.

Solution 3

Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can sometimes process basic system test pages but fail to interpret complex document data from word processors.

Print Documents Seamlessly

Use WPS Office to Print Your Documents

If your current word processor is failing to print your files, you can quickly open your documents in WPS Office and print them directly. WPS Office is a lightweight, fully compatible office suite that communicates effortlessly with Windows printers.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free and install it on your Windows 11 computer.
2. Open Your Document: Right-click the Word or PDF document that won't print, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office.
3. Print the File: Click 'Menu' in the top-left corner, select 'Print', choose your printer from the drop-down list, and hit the Print button.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxBuilt-in PDF reader and printer for seamless document managementLightweight installation that avoids heavy system resource usageFree alternative for viewing, editing, and printing documents

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer print a test page but nothing else?

This behavior indicates that the printer hardware and basic PC communication are working properly, but there is likely a software issue with the specific application you are printing from, a corrupted document, or an outdated printer driver failing to process complex spooling data.

How do I restart the Print Spooler service in Windows 11?

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type 'services.msc', and press Enter. Scroll down to find 'Print Spooler', right-click it, and select 'Restart'. This can often resolve issues where documents fail to send to the printer.

What should I do if only Adobe Acrobat refuses to print?

If only PDF files in Adobe fail to print, try selecting the 'Print as image' option in the Advanced print settings of the Adobe Acrobat print dialog. Alternatively, open the PDF in another program like WPS Office or your web browser to print it.

Document & File Issues