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How to Troubleshoot Intermittent Microsoft Word Printing Problems
Question details
Users are experiencing intermittent issues where Microsoft Word hangs or fails to send print jobs, despite other applications printing correctly.
- Product
- Microsoft Word (Office 2016)
- Device & OS
- Windows 10, Windows 11
- Scenario
- Attempting to print Word documents to local or network printers.
- Observed behavior
- Word randomly hangs or fails to process print jobs, while applications like Excel, Acrobat, and Notepad print without any issues.
Ensure your printer is powered on, properly connected, and has sufficient paper and ink. Check if other applications like Notepad can print successfully to confirm the issue is isolated to Word.
Verify Print Settings and Test a New Document
Checking the print dialog and testing a blank document helps determine if the issue lies with a specific file or Word's general printing function.
Often, intermittent printing issues are tied to corrupted document formatting rather than a system-wide failure. Testing a fresh file helps isolate the source of the problem.
Open the affected document in Word, navigate to the 'File' menu, and select 'Print'.
Check that the correct printer is selected in the drop-down menu and that the output settings (like page size and margins) appear properly configured.
Open a completely new, blank document in Word, type a few words of test text, and attempt to print it.
If the blank document prints successfully without hanging, the original file may be corrupted and needs its content copied into a new file.
Isolate Network, File Location, and Driver Issues
Ruling out external factors like network sharing or outdated printer drivers can identify the root cause of intermittent failures.
Collect Samples and Contact Microsoft Support
When troubleshooting steps fail and the issue is isolated exclusively to Word, escalating to support is necessary to resolve deeper application bugs.
Use WPS Office to Print Your Documents Seamlessly
If Microsoft Word continues to crash or fail when printing, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and reliable alternative that smoothly handles your document printing needs without frustrating intermittent hangs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Open your existing Word document directly in WPS Writer; all your formatting will remain intact.
- 3. Print Successfully: Click on 'Menu' and select 'Print' to easily output your document to your local or network printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word freeze when I try to print?
Word can freeze during printing due to corrupted printer drivers, issues with a specific document's complex formatting, or conflicts with background add-ins. Testing with a simple, blank document helps isolate the exact cause.
How can I tell if my printer driver is causing Word to hang?
Try changing your default printer to 'Microsoft Print to PDF' and print the document. If it processes successfully without freezing Word, your physical printer's driver is likely the culprit and needs an update.
Does file location affect printing performance in Word?
Yes, documents opened directly from a network drive, a shared server, or as an email attachment can sometimes cause printing delays or errors. Saving the file locally to your desktop before printing can often bypass these network-related bottlenecks.
What should I do if only specific Word documents won't print?
If only certain files fail to print, they may contain corrupted elements like broken fonts or overly complex graphics. Try copying all the text and pasting it without formatting into a brand new document, then attempt to print again.
