Free printer tool

Printer troubleshooter

Answer one or two quick questions, then follow one step at a time to fix a printer that’s offline, not printing, won’t connect to Wi-Fi, jams, prints blank or faded pages, or won’t scan. It works for any printer brand on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android and Chromebook — nothing to install, and nothing you choose is sent anywhere.

What’s going wrong?

Pick the problem closest to yours.

A checklist, not a scan: this tool can’t see your printer or computer. Try each step, then tell it whether the problem is fixed.

Fix it step by step

Choose a problem to see the first step.

Choose a problem to begin.You’ll get one step at a time, starting with the quickest checks. If a step fixes it, you’re done — if not, move on to the next.

How to use this printer troubleshooter

Pick the problem that matches what you see, choose your device if asked, and work through the steps in order — they start with quick checks and move on to deeper fixes. Select This fixed it as soon as the problem is gone, or Still not working to see the next step. If nothing works, you’ll get links to official manufacturer support and our guides.

The tool is a checklist, not a diagnostic scan: it can’t see your printer, and nothing you choose leaves your browser. Every step is also listed below so you can read them all at once. Steps tagged Windows Mac iPhone/iPad Android or Chromebook apply only to that device; untagged steps apply to all. Menu paths are for Windows 11 and 10, current macOS and current ChromeOS. Menus on the printer itself vary by brand and model.

Printer offline: how to fix it

“Offline” means your computer or phone can’t reach the printer right now — it rarely means the printer is broken. Start with the quick checks, then the settings for your device.

Check the printer’s screen or lights. Make sure it’s on and awake, and clear any error such as a paper jam, an open door, or empty ink or toner.
Restart the printer and your device. Turn the printer off, unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on. Restart your computer, phone or tablet too.
Check the printer is still on your Wi-Fi. Look at the wireless status on its control panel, or print a network configuration report. It should show the same network your device uses, not a guest network. If it isn’t connected, follow the Wi-Fi steps below.
Windows · Mac · Chromebook Using USB? Check the cable. Plug it in firmly at both ends, connect it straight to the computer rather than a hub, and try another USB port.
Windows Turn off “Use Printer Offline”. Windows 11: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Devices → More devices and printer settings, then right-click your printer and choose See what’s printing.
Windows 10: Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners → your printer → Open queue.
In that window, open the Printer menu and uncheck Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing.
Windows Cancel stuck print jobs. Windows 11: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → your printer → Open print queue, then open the … menu and choose Cancel all.
Windows 10: in the queue window, choose Printer → Cancel All Documents.
Windows Make it the default printer. In Printers & scanners, turn off Let Windows manage my default printer, select your printer and choose Set as default (Windows 10: Manage → Set as default). If you see copies such as “Printer (Copy 1)”, use the one that shows as ready.
Windows Restart the Print Spooler service. Press Windows + R, type services.msc and press Enter. Right-click Print Spooler and choose Restart.
Windows Run the printer troubleshooter. Windows 11: Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Printer → Run; newer versions open it in the Get Help app.
Windows 10: Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → Printer.
Windows Remove and re-add the printer. In Printers & scanners, select the printer and choose Remove, then Add device. On Windows 10 the buttons are Remove device and Add a printer or scanner.
Mac Check the print queue. Click the printer or Print Center icon in the Dock, or open Print Center from Applications → Utilities. If the printer is paused, click Resume, and delete any job showing an error.
Mac Remove and re-add the printer. In System Settings → Printers & Scanners, Control-click the printer and choose Remove Printer. Then click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and add it again.
Mac Reset the printing system (last resort). In Printers & Scanners, Control-click the printer list and choose Reset Printing System. It deletes all printers and queued jobs, so add your printer again afterward.
iPhone/iPad Choose the printer again. On the Print screen, tap the printer (or No Printer Selected) and pick your printer from the list. If it never appears, it may not support AirPrint — use the printer maker’s official app instead.
Android Check the print service is on. Open Settings and search for Printing (on Pixel: Connected devices → Connection preferences → Printing). Turn on Default Print Service, or add Mopria Print Service or your printer brand’s plug-in.
Chromebook Check the saved printer. Go to Settings → Device → Printers and scanners → Print (older ChromeOS: Settings → Advanced → Print and scan → Printers). Next to your printer, select More → Edit to check its details, or More → Remove and set it up again.
Update the printer’s firmware. Check for updates from the printer’s control panel or the manufacturer’s official app or website — updates can fix connection problems.

Printer not printing? Clear stuck print jobs

If you’re wondering why your printer is not printing, look at the print queue. When documents sit there or nothing happens after you press Print, one failed job can block everything behind it.

Check the printer for errors. Make sure it’s on and has paper, and clear any jam, open-door, or ink or toner message.
Check which printer you picked. In the print dialog, make sure your printer is selected — not Microsoft Print to PDF, Save as PDF, or an old copy of your printer.
Windows Cancel all stuck jobs. Windows 11: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → your printer → Open print queue, then open the … menu and choose Cancel all.
Windows 10: Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners → your printer → Open queue → Printer → Cancel All Documents.
Windows Make sure printing isn’t paused. Windows 11: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Devices → More devices and printer settings, then right-click the printer and choose See what’s printing.
Windows 10: use the Open queue window.
In the Printer menu, uncheck Pause Printing and Use Printer Offline.
Windows Restart the Print Spooler service. Press Windows + R, type services.msc and press Enter, then right-click Print Spooler and choose Restart.
Windows Clear the spooler folder if jobs won’t delete. In Services, stop Print Spooler, delete the files inside C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS (you’ll need administrator access), then start Print Spooler again.
Windows Run the printer troubleshooter. Windows 11: Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Printer → Run.
Windows 10: Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → Printer.
Mac Clear and resume the queue. Click the printer or Print Center icon in the Dock, or open Print Center from Applications → Utilities. Delete stuck jobs, and click Resume if the printer is paused.
iPhone/iPad Cancel the stuck job. While it’s printing, open the App Switcher, tap Print Center, select the job and tap Cancel Printing. Then print again.
Android Cancel the stuck job. Swipe down to your notifications, tap the printing notification and cancel the job, then print again.
Android Clear the Print Spooler’s cache. If a job won’t cancel, open Settings → Apps, show system apps, then open Print Spooler → Storage and tap Clear cache.
Chromebook Cancel stuck jobs. Search your Launcher for Print jobs, open it and cancel anything that’s stuck, then print again.
Restart the printer and your device. Turn the printer off, unplug it for 30 seconds and turn it back on, then restart your computer, phone or tablet.
Print something simple. Try our printer test page or a one-line document from another app. If that prints, the problem is the original file or app, not the printer.
Windows · Mac Reinstall the printer. Remove it in your printer settings, then add it again, using the manufacturer’s current software if needed — see how to find the right driver.
Mac Reset the printing system (last resort). In System Settings → Printers & Scanners, Control-click the printer list and choose Reset Printing System, then add your printer again.

Printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi or can’t be found

A printer not connecting to Wi-Fi is often down to a network mismatch, a changed password or a weak signal rather than a fault. Setting up a new printer? Our printer connection guide builds a checklist for your model.

Print a network configuration report. Many printers can print one from the control panel — look under Wireless, Network, Setup or Reports. It shows whether the printer is connected, to which network, and its IP address.
Use the same network. Connect your computer or phone to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. Avoid guest networks, which often stop devices from seeing each other.
Check the Wi-Fi band. Many printers connect only to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If your router shows separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names, join the printer to the 2.4 GHz one; your phone or computer can usually stay on 5 GHz.
Restart the printer and router. Turn the printer off, restart your router and wait until Wi-Fi is back, then turn the printer on again.
Move the printer closer. While you set it up, place it near the router and away from thick walls, metal cabinets and microwaves.
Pause any VPN. A VPN on your computer or phone can hide printers on your home network. Turn it off while you set up or print.
Rejoin Wi-Fi from the printer. After a router or password change, the printer still has the old details. Open its wireless setup menu (often called Wireless Setup Wizard), choose your network and enter the password carefully. See reconnecting after a new router.
No screen? Use WPS or the maker’s app. If the printer and router both support WPS, start WPS on the printer, then press the router’s WPS button within two minutes. Otherwise, set it up again with the manufacturer’s official app or software.
Windows Add the printer in Windows. Windows 11: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device.
Windows 10: Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners → Add a printer or scanner.
If it isn’t listed, choose The printer that I want isn’t listed and add it by its IP address.
Mac Add the printer on your Mac. In System Settings → Printers & Scanners, click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax. If it doesn’t appear, use the IP tab and enter the IP address from the network report.
iPhone/iPad Check AirPrint and app access. Your printer needs AirPrint to appear on the Print screen. If you use the maker’s app, allow it under Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network.
Android Turn on a print service. Open Settings and search for Printing (on Pixel: Connected devices → Connection preferences → Printing). Turn on Default Print Service, or add Mopria Print Service or your printer brand’s plug-in.
Chromebook Add the printer. Go to Settings → Device → Printers and scanners → Print and select Save next to your printer. Not listed? Choose Add printer manually and enter its IP address.
Windows · Mac · Chromebook Use a USB cable for now. If you need to print today, connect with USB while you sort out Wi-Fi — see connecting with USB.

Poor print quality: faded prints, streaks or missing colors

Faded, streaky or off-color prints usually trace back to the ink or toner, the printhead, the paper or the print settings. These steps are the same on every device.

Check ink or toner levels. Look on the printer’s display or in the manufacturer’s app, and replace any cartridge that’s empty or very low.
Print a test page. Our printer test page shows which color is missing and where streaks or banding appear.
Check the print settings. Choose Normal or Best quality rather than Draft or toner-saving mode, and set the paper type to match the paper you loaded.
Run one printhead cleaning cycle. On an inkjet, start it from the printer’s Maintenance or Tools menu or the manufacturer’s software. Print the test page again, and repeat once only if it improved — each cycle uses ink.
Align the printhead. Run alignment from the same menu if lines look doubled, jagged or blurry, especially after changing cartridges.
Reseat the cartridges. Take each one out, check that all protective tape is gone, and click it firmly back into place.
Use fresh, suitable paper. Damp, curled or dusty paper — or photo paper printed on a plain-paper setting — can smear, fade or streak.
Laser printer? Redistribute the toner. Remove the toner cartridge, rock it gently side to side, and reinstall it. Marks that repeat down the page often point to the drum or fuser; check your manual.
Rule out the cartridge. If quality dropped right after a cartridge change, try a different cartridge, original or compatible, to rule out a faulty one.

Printer paper jam fix (and paper that won’t feed)

Go gently: pulling hard can tear the sheet and leave scraps that cause the next jam. These steps work for inkjet and laser printers of any brand.

Turn off and unplug the printer. Do this before reaching inside. Let a laser printer cool for a few minutes, as the area around the fuser gets hot.
Pull the paper out slowly. Use both hands and, where you can, pull in the direction the paper normally travels. Don’t yank it.
Check every access point. Look in the input and output trays, behind the rear access door or duplexer, and under the top cover or cartridge door.
Remove torn scraps. Use a flashlight to look for small pieces around the rollers — even a tiny scrap can trigger jam errors.
Reload the paper. Take out the stack, fan it, tap it square, and put it back without filling above the tray’s maximum mark.
Adjust the paper guides. Slide them in until they just touch the edges of the stack without bending it.
Use paper the printer supports. Check the paper weight and type in the manual, and avoid curled, damp, wrinkled or mixed paper.
Clean the pickup rollers if paper won’t feed. Wipe them with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water and let them dry, or run the printer’s roller-cleaning option if it has one.
Turn the printer back on and test it. Print one page. If it still reports a jam with no paper inside, check again for scraps; a jam error that won’t clear may need a repair.

Printer printing blank pages

Blank pages mean paper moves through the printer but no ink or toner reaches it — or the printer was sent nothing to print.

Remove protective tape. New ink and toner cartridges come with tape, seals or pull tabs that must be removed before they can print.
Check ink or toner levels. Replace any empty cartridge; an empty black cartridge can leave text pages blank.
Print a test page. Use our printer test page. If some colors print and others don’t, the problem is ink or nozzles, not your document.
Clean the printhead. Clogged inkjet nozzles can print nothing at all. Run one cleaning cycle from the printer’s maintenance menu, then test again.
Check the printer and paper size. In the print dialog, make sure the right printer is selected and the paper size matches the paper in the tray, such as Letter or A4.
Try a simple document. Print a short page from another app. If it prints, check the original file for empty pages, such as extra page breaks at the end.
Reinstall the printer on your computer. Remove the printer and add it again with the manufacturer’s current driver — a wrong or damaged driver can send blank pages. See how to find the right driver.
Laser printer? Check the toner cartridge. Reseat it and make sure any sealing strip or packing material has been fully removed.

Scanner not working

If printing works but scanning doesn’t, the cause is usually missing scan software, a network problem or an app permission.

Make a copy. On an all-in-one printer, copy a page. If it copies cleanly, the scanner itself works and the problem is the connection or software.
Restart the printer and your device. Turn the printer off and on again, and restart the computer, phone or tablet you scan to.
Use the same network. Your device must be on the same Wi-Fi as the printer — not a guest network — with any VPN paused.
Windows · Mac Install the manufacturer’s full software. Basic drivers from Windows Update or macOS may only print; the manufacturer’s full software package adds scanning. See how to find the right software.
Windows Try the Windows Scan app. Open Windows Scan (free in the Microsoft Store), or Windows Fax and Scan if your PC still has it, choose your scanner and select Scan.
Mac Try Image Capture. Open Image Capture from Applications, select your scanner under Devices or Shared, and click Scan. You can also use System Settings → Printers & Scanners → your printer → Open Scanner.
Mac Allow local network access. On macOS Sequoia or later, turn on your scan app in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network.
iPhone/iPad Use the manufacturer’s app. iPhone and iPad can’t scan from a printer through AirPrint, so use your printer brand’s official app, and allow it under Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network.
Android Use a scan app. Scan with your printer brand’s official app or the Mopria Scan app from Google Play, and allow the permissions it asks for.
Chromebook Use the Scan app. Go to Settings → Device → Printers and scanners → Scan, choose your scanner and select Scan. Chromebooks can’t scan over Bluetooth.
Windows · Mac Scanning from the printer’s buttons? Sending a scan to a computer from the printer’s control panel usually needs the manufacturer’s software installed and running on that computer, with the feature turned on.
Windows · Mac Try a USB cable. If network scanning still fails, connect with USB to rule out the network.

Common printer error messages and what they mean

Match what you see to the best place to start. Exact wording varies by device and printer brand.

What you see	What it usually means	Start here
“Offline” or “Printer offline”	Your device can’t reach the printer over Wi-Fi, the network or USB	Printer offline
Jobs stuck on “Error – Printing” or “Spooling” (Windows)	A failed job is blocking the queue	Printer not printing
“Driver is unavailable” (Windows)	The printer’s driver is missing or damaged	Find the right driver
“No AirPrint Printers Found” (iPhone/iPad)	The printer isn’t visible on your Wi-Fi, or doesn’t support AirPrint	Wi-Fi steps
Paper jam error but no paper in sight	A torn scrap in the paper path, or a part that needs repair	Paper jam fix
Blank pages after a cartridge change	Protective tape or a seal is still on the new cartridge	Blank pages
“Scanner not found” or “Can’t communicate with scanner”	Scan software is missing, the device is on another network, or the app is blocked from your local network	Scanner not working

Still stuck? What to have ready

If you’ve tried every step, the printer may have a hardware fault or need a model-specific fix. Before you ask for help, note the exact model number (on the front or on a label at the back), the device and system version you print from, the exact error message, and the steps you’ve already tried.

Then check the manufacturer’s official support site for your model’s manuals, firmware and warranty options, browse our printer help guides, or contact our independent support team. Download drivers and apps only from the manufacturer’s website or your device’s app store.

Troubleshooter FAQ

Printer troubleshooting questions

Why does my printer say it’s offline when it’s turned on?

Offline means your computer or phone can’t reach the printer, not that the printer is switched off. Common causes are the printer dropping off Wi-Fi, being on a different network, a stuck print job, or the Windows Use Printer Offline setting. Restarting the printer and your device is the quickest first step.

Why is my printer not printing anything?

Often one failed job is blocking the queue, the wrong printer is selected, or printing is paused. Cancel all jobs in the print queue, make sure the right printer is chosen, and on Windows restart the Print Spooler service.

Why won’t my printer connect to Wi-Fi?

Common reasons are a new router or changed Wi-Fi password, a guest network, a VPN, a weak signal, or a 5 GHz network the printer can’t use, since many printers connect only to 2.4 GHz. Restart the printer and router, then run the wireless setup from the printer’s control panel or the manufacturer’s app.

Why is my printer printing blank pages?

Common causes are protective tape left on a new cartridge, an empty cartridge, or clogged printhead nozzles. Also check that the right printer and paper size are selected, then print a test page to see which colors are missing.

Why is my scanner not working when printing works?

Printing can work with a basic driver, but scanning usually needs the manufacturer’s full software or a scan app such as Windows Scan or Image Capture. Also make sure your device is on the same network as the printer and that the scan app is allowed to use your local network.

Does this troubleshooter detect what’s wrong with my printer?

No. It’s a guided checklist that runs in your browser. It can’t see or connect to your printer or computer and doesn’t send anything anywhere; you choose the problem and it shows the usual fixes one step at a time.

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What’s going wrong?

Fix it step by step

Which device are you using?

Step 1 of 1

Great — glad that fixed it

Still stuck?

How to use this printer troubleshooter

Printer offline: how to fix it

Printer not printing? Clear stuck print jobs

Printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi or can’t be found

Poor print quality: faded prints, streaks or missing colors

Printer paper jam fix (and paper that won’t feed)

Printer printing blank pages

Scanner not working

Common printer error messages and what they mean

Still stuck? What to have ready

Printer troubleshooting questions

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