Your printer shows “Connected.”
The power is on.
No error message pops up.
You click Print…
and nothing happens.
No noise. No paper. No warning.
At this point, most people immediately think:
“I’ll just uninstall the driver and reinstall everything.”
But in reality, reinstalling the driver should be the last card you play, not the first.
It often resets working settings, creates new problems, and doesn’t fix the real cause in many cases.
Before touching the driver, go through the checklist below in order.
You’ll be surprised how often the problem is solved long before step nine.
(Windows · Wireless & USB)
First: 30-Second Quick Check (Don’t Skip This)
Before diving into deeper settings, check these four basics first.
Many “mystery printer issues” end right here.
1️⃣ Check the printer panel for warning lights or error codes
Look closely for:
-
Paper jams (thin sheets can get stuck without being obvious)
-
Open covers
-
Low ink or toner
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Cartridge not recognized / non-genuine cartridge warnings
Even if the printer shows “Connected,” printing can be completely blocked when ink or toner isn’t recognized properly.
In that case, no amount of PC troubleshooting will help.
2️⃣ Does printing fail only in a specific program?
For example:
-
Printing fails only in Word or HWP
-
Printing fails only in Chrome
This usually means document or application print settings, not the printer itself.
3️⃣ Can you print a Windows test page?
The Windows test page checks the printer’s basic communication.
-
❌ Test page fails → likely printer, port, or connection issue
-
⭕ Test page works → document or software settings issue
4️⃣ Are the printer and PC on the same Wi-Fi network?
Wireless printers often connect to:
-
Guest Wi-Fi instead of the main network
-
A different band (2.4GHz vs 5GHz)
In these cases, everything looks “connected,” but communication fails behind the scenes.
1. The Print Queue Is Stuck (Most Common Cause)
One failed job can freeze everything behind it.
How to check
-
Control Panel → Devices and Printers
-
Double-click the printer → Open print queue
How to fix
-
Cancel all documents
-
Turn printer OFF
-
Wait 10 seconds
-
Turn printer ON
-
Try printing again
💡 If the queue keeps freezing:
Restart the Print Spooler service in Windows.
This often clears stubborn queue corruption instantly.
2. The Wrong Printer Is Set as Default
Windows may send print jobs to:
-
A PDF printer
-
An old office printer
-
A disconnected virtual device
Fix
-
Devices and Printers
-
Look for the green checkmark
-
Right-click your real printer → Set as default
3. “Use Printer Offline” Is Enabled (Important Detail)
This setting is often misunderstood.
“Use Printer Offline” does NOT fix network issues.
It simply tells Windows to treat the printer as offline, even if it’s connected.
How to check
-
Right-click printer
-
If Use Printer Offline is checked → uncheck it
The real fix (if it keeps happening)
Offline mode usually comes back because of:
-
Weak Wi-Fi signal
-
Router restarts
-
Printer IP address changes
👉 Move the printer closer to the router and reboot both devices.
4. Printing Is Paused
Sometimes this is enabled accidentally.
Check
-
Open print queue
-
Printer menu → Pause Printing
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Disable if checked
5. The Printer Is Using a WSD Port (Often Unstable)
This is a very common but overlooked cause.
WSD (Web Services for Devices) is Windows’ automatic network printer detection method.
It’s convenient—but not always stable.
Symptoms:
-
Printer looks connected
-
Printing randomly stops
-
Jobs disappear or hang
How to check
-
Printer Properties → Ports tab
-
See if the port starts with WSD
Recommended fix
For network printers, Standard TCP/IP Port with a manual IP address is far more stable.
If this sounds confusing, keep reading—the next step explains why.
6. The Printer’s IP Address Changed (A Hidden Root Cause)
Most network printers receive IP addresses automatically from the router.
After:
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Router reboot
-
Power outage
-
Network changes
…the printer’s IP can change.
Windows keeps sending jobs to the old address, so the printer looks “Connected” but never receives anything.
Short-term fix
-
Check the printer’s current IP
-
Update the printer port or re-add the printer
Long-term fix (highly recommended)
Prevent IP changes by:
-
Assigning a DHCP reservation in your router
(best option) -
Or setting a static IP directly on the printer
This alone prevents most “suddenly stopped working” cases.
7. Document Settings Conflict with the Printer
If printing fails only for specific files, check:
-
Paper size mismatch (A4 vs Letter)
-
Unsupported duplex printing
-
Borderless or high-quality modes
Fix
-
Reset print settings to default
-
Confirm correct paper size
8. Remove and Re-Add the Printer (Before Reinstalling Drivers)
This step is often faster and safer than reinstalling drivers.
How
-
Devices and Printers → Remove device
-
Add the printer again
This refreshes ports and connection settings without touching drivers.
9. Reinstall the Official Driver (Last Resort)
If nothing above worked, then—and only then—reinstall the driver.
⚠️ Important:
-
❌ Don’t use “similar model” drivers
-
❌ Don’t rely only on Windows auto-search
-
⭕ Download the exact model driver from the manufacturer’s official site
Final Thoughts:
“Offline” Is a Switch — The Real Fix Is the Network
Unchecking Use Printer Offline only removes Windows’ forced offline state.
The real causes are usually:
-
Weak Wi-Fi
-
IP changes
-
WSD instability
-
Network misconfiguration
Follow the steps in order, and most printer issues are solved without touching drivers.
Related Reading)
Printer issues often feel similar to browser problems one hidden setting can slow or block everything.
👉 Chrome Suddenly Feels Slow? 5 Things to Check Before Clearing Cache
This article is based on a detailed Korean troubleshooting guide.
You can view the original version here:
👉 프린터는 연결돼 있는데 출력이 안 될 때