Why Is My Printer Idle? 5 Quick Fixes to Get Printing Again
Last Updated:Is your printer showing as idle even though you are trying to print? It is one of the most common printer problems out there, and the good news is that it is usually a quick fix. Watch the video below, then follow the step-by-step fixes underneath.
5 Quick Fixes for a Printer Stuck on Idle
Fix 1: Cancel Stuck Jobs in the Print Queue
A single stuck print job can block every job behind it. Open your print queue, cancel anything that is stuck or pending, then try printing again.
Fix 2: Restart the Printer and Your Computer
A simple restart clears out temporary glitches in both the printer and the computer, and it resolves idle-status issues more often than you would expect.
Fix 3: Set Your Printer as the Default Printer
If your computer is sending jobs to a different device, your printer will just sit idle. Check your Settings and make sure the right printer is set as default.
Fix 4: Reinstall the Printer Driver
An outdated or corrupted driver can cause a printer to stop responding to print commands. Download the latest driver from the manufacturer website and reinstall it.
Fix 5: Check the USB Cable or Wi-Fi Connection
A loose cable or a dropped wireless connection is one of the most common causes of an idle printer. Check the physical connection, and if your printer shows offline entirely, see our guide to fixing an offline printer, or try these Wi-Fi connection fixes.
Related Printer Fixes
- Why Is My Printer Paused? 4 Quick Fixes to Resume Printing
- Why Is My Printer Offline? 9 Fixes That Actually Work
- Why Is My Printer Only Printing Half a Page? 4 Quick Fixes
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