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How to Fix Microsoft Office Hangs or Crashes When Printing
Question details
Microsoft Office and other applications freeze or crash when attempting to print documents.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- The user is trying to print a document from Microsoft Office or other applications, but the program becomes unresponsive or closes unexpectedly.
- Observed behavior
- The application hangs or crashes during the printing process, requiring the Windows Print Spooler to be restarted repeatedly. This occurs across multiple printers and applications, including Acrobat.
Before proceeding with system repairs, save your current work to prevent data loss in case the application crashes. Disconnect and reconnect your printer's USB or network connection to rule out basic communication errors.
Update Windows and Printer Drivers
Since the issue affects multiple applications including Office and Acrobat, updating Windows and your printer drivers is the most effective way to resolve underlying component conflicts.
System-wide printing crashes are rarely caused by Microsoft Office alone. They usually indicate an outdated printer driver or a known bug within the Windows operating system.
Click the Windows Start button, search for 'Windows Update', and select 'Windows Update Settings' from the results.
Click the 'Check for updates' button. Download and install all available system and cumulative updates, as these often contain patches for printing spooler bugs.
Visit your printer manufacturer's official support website. Locate your specific printer model, download the newest driver for your version of Windows, and run the installer.
Restart your PC to fully apply the system updates and new drivers, then open a Microsoft Office document to test the print function.
Repair Corrupted Windows System Files
If updating drivers does not resolve the crashing, corrupted Windows printing components might be to blame. Use the built-in System File Checker to automatically fix them.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable Printing Experience
If Microsoft Office continues to experience performance issues, hangs, or crashes on your system, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, free alternative that offers excellent stability, robust printing capabilities, and seamless compatibility with all your existing Microsoft Office files.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open and Print Easily: Open your documents directly in WPS Office, navigate to Menu > Print, and enjoy a stable printing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my computer crash only when I try to print?
This is often caused by outdated or corrupted printer drivers, conflicts within the Windows Print Spooler service, or missing system updates that interfere with the data transmission between your applications and the printer hardware.
How do I manually restart the Windows Print Spooler?
Press the Windows key + R, type 'services.msc', and press Enter. Scroll down to find 'Print Spooler' in the list, right-click it, and select 'Restart'. This can temporarily resolve immediate printing hangs.
Will reinstalling or repairing Microsoft Office fix the printing crash?
If the issue also affects other programs like Adobe Acrobat or Windows Photo Viewer, reinstalling or repairing Office usually won't fix it. The root cause likely lies within the Windows printing system or the printer drivers themselves.
What should I do if the SFC scan finds errors but cannot fix them?
If the System File Checker cannot repair the corrupted files, you can run the DISM tool. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth'. Once that finishes, run the 'sfc /scannow' command again.
