My Printer Is Not Recognizing Documents

You can troubleshoot printing issues to make the printer recognize print commands and documents.

When you send a document to the printer queue and you get an error, or the printer does absolutely nothing, this can be caused by a number of different issues with the printer’s configurations. Windows provides many options for troubleshooting printer issues and helping your printer recognize and properly print your documents.

Basic Printer Troubleshooting

If you see flashing lights on your printer, determine if there's an issue with low ink or a paper jam. Ensure all printer cords are properly connected, including the USB cord that attaches to the computer. You can also plug the printer into a different USB port, which sometimes allows the computer and printer to reconfigure and connect again. Rebooting the computer and the printer together can also allow the printer to clear out its memory and reconnect. Finally, ensure the printer is set as the default device from the Devices and Printers window, which you can access from the Start menu.

Printer Queue

Open your printer’s queue from your computer’s task bar to view the documents queued for printing. Sometimes, a document will fail to print but remain waiting in the queue until you clear it. Right-click the failed document to remove it from the queue and allow the following documents to print. You may need to reboot your computer and your printer if the failed document doesn't clear properly. Once the computer boots up again, the printer will automatically read the documents waiting in the queue and begin printing.

Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler service controls how your computer and printer interact. This service usually launches automatically when Windows starts. However, sometimes software or malware can cause the Print Spooler to shut down on a computer. When this happens, you'll see an error and your printer won't respond to your print command. Type “Services” in the text box on the Start menu to launch the Services window. Click “Print Spooler” and click “Start” to restart the service. Also ensure that the Print Spooler service is set to “Automatic” from the “Properties” section of the menu.

Reinstall Printer Driver

If all other troubleshooting fails, you can reinstall the printer driver to make a fresh connection between the printer and the computer. Navigate to the “Devices and Printers” window. Right-click your printer and select “Uninstall Device.” Unplug your printer from the USB port on your computer and reinstall the software from the disc that came with your printer. If you don't have the disc, you can usually download and install the drivers from the printer manufacture’s website. Reconnect your printer when prompted by the installation process and reboot your computer if needed.

References

• Windows: Printer Problems in Windows