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How to Fix Word 2019 for Mac Not Showing Print Dialog
Question details
The user is unable to open or view the print dialog in Word 2019 for Mac, preventing them from printing documents.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Device & OS
- macOS Ventura (M1 MacBook Air)
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a document using Word 2019 on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The print dialog fails to display entirely in Word, even though other applications like Excel and PowerPoint can print normally.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet to download any necessary printer drivers, and save your current Word document to avoid accidental data loss during troubleshooting.
Install Printer Drivers and Set a Default Printer
Word relies on the Mac's printer driver to generate the print dialog. Setting a default printer and ensuring the driver is installed resolves the issue for most users.
Unlike Excel or PowerPoint, Microsoft Word requires an actively configured printer driver to render page layouts and generate the print dialog. If your Mac lacks a default printer or driver, the print window simply will not appear.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences' on older versions).
Scroll down the left sidebar and click on 'Printers & Scanners'.
If no printer is listed, click the 'Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax...' button. Select your printer from the list to let macOS automatically download and install the required drivers.
Right-click (or Control-click) your newly installed printer in the list and select 'Set Default Printer'. Restart Microsoft Word and try printing again.
Reset the Mac Printing System
If a printer is already installed but Word still refuses to show the print dialog, the macOS printing system may be corrupted and needs a reset.
Update macOS to the Latest Version
Early versions of macOS Ventura experienced compatibility bugs with Office 2019. Updating the operating system can patch these system-level dialog glitches.
Print Documents Flawlessly with WPS Office for Mac
If Microsoft Word 2019 continues to experience printing glitches on macOS Ventura, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that integrates perfectly with the native Mac printing system.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free Mac version.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. The layout will remain exactly as it was.
- 3. Print Successfully: Click 'File' > 'Print' or press Cmd+P to instantly bring up the print dialog and print your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel print fine on my Mac but Word does not?
Word is heavily dependent on the printer driver to render document pagination and layout features. If the default printer driver is missing or corrupted, Word will fail to generate the print dialog, whereas Excel and PowerPoint handle basic page spooling differently.
How can I print my Word document if the print dialog is completely broken?
As a workaround, you can save your document as a PDF. Go to 'File' > 'Save As' and choose PDF as the format. Once saved, open the PDF using Mac's native Preview app, and print it directly from there.
Will reinstalling Word 2019 fix the missing print dialog?
Usually, reinstalling Word is unnecessary for this specific issue. Because the print dialog relies on the operating system's printer configurations, resetting the Mac printing system or adding a default printer usually solves the problem without needing an app reinstall.
