Printers are prone to various issues, some of which are simple to fix. Fixing printer problems is a challenge, mainly when using Windows devices, because there is a vast array of possibilities for what might not be working.
Your Printer, computer or the connection between them could cause the issue. This article outlines ten common ways to troubleshoot printers that do not print.
Read error code 0xc4eb8004 hw_micci2_v12
-
Check the Paper Tray and Printer Connection
Some printers will not print if they have a loose USB connection or run out of paper or ink. Examine the levels of ink on your Printer and clean the printhead. Refill the tray with paper, and avoid using paper that is not up to par. Paper of poor quality can trigger “Ghost Paper Jams” and other issues that hinder your Printer from printing documents.
If your Printer has wired connections, ensure that both ends of the cable are plugged securely into the Printer and your computer. Read the manual for your Printer for directions on connecting this device with your Windows or Mac computer.
Wireless printers will not print documents if connected to the wrong WiFi connection. Check if your computer and Printer are connected to the same network. In addition, you should verify your router's settings, turn off the VPN connection, and then make the Printer's IP address permanent. See our article on troubleshooting wireless (wireless) printers to find more solutions.
-
Use the Printer Troubleshooter
Windows offers a range of troubleshooting tools that can identify and solve software and hardware issues. We recommend using the Printer Troubleshooter before attempting more intricate methods.
Navigate into Settings, Bluetooth and devices and then choose Printers and scanners.
Within Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners.
Select the Printer in question on the table of devices that are connected.
Note that if your Printer's status is “Offline,” refer to our troubleshooting guide on getting an offline printer back up and running. Go to the following step in case your Printer is active.
Select Run the Troubleshooter on the “Printer settings” tab.
5 There is a different method to access the Troubleshooter for your Printer within Windows 11. Select Settings > System Other troubleshooting tools and click Run after “Printer.”
For Windows 10, go to Settings > Update and Security > Troubleshoot, then select Additional troubleshooting tools > Printer and then select Troubleshooter to run.
The Troubleshooter should perform the necessary test of the print device, drivers and any other processes that are associated with it.
-
Set the Printer as default
Windows includes an option to dynamically alter the default printer device on your PC following your location and other aspects. It is nearly perfect, but it is not 100% foolproof. If your computer does not print documents, it could be due to an inactive printer that is the default printer.
macOS also assigns the last Printer you connected as your Mac's default printer. Check your computer settings and ensure the active Printer is the one you use as your default.
Go into Settings, Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners in Windows. Click on the Printer, then click the option to set it as default.
For Mac computers, open the System Preferences > Printers and Scanners. On Mac machines, click right on the Printer, then select Set default printer. Alternatively, you can open the Default printer drop-down menu and select the Printer you want to use as the default.
-
Clear the Print Queue on your computer.
When you submit an image to print, the computer will first transmit”print job “into the queue for Printing. The print job will be immediately taken off the print queue once the Printer completes Printing. It is generally a seamless process, but sometimes, completed print jobs remain on the line.
If this happens, any subsequent print jobs could be stuck in the queue, preventing your Printer from printing any files. Clearing your computer's print queue could help resolve the issue.
- Clear Print Queue in Windows
- Open Settings > Bluetooth and scanners > Printers & Scanners, and choose your Printer.
- Select Open print queue.
- Select Printer from the menu bar and then choose to cancel all documents.
- Click Yes at the prompt for confirmation.
- Print any document or test page to determine whether clearing the queue resolved the issue. Go to the printer menu and choose Print Test Page.
- If completed documents persist in the print queue, check out our troubleshooting instructions for removing stuck print jobs within Windows.
Clear Print Queue in macOS
Click on the System Preferences tab, then Printers and Scanners. Click on the Printer in the sidebar, then select the Print Queue to open.
Click the x next to the print jobs to eliminate these print jobs from your queue.
Also Read How to install, update, and troubleshoot print drivers and print queues in Windows?
-
Update the Driver for Printer
Printers may not get printing jobs from your computer when the driver is damaged or outdated. While Windows automatically installs updates to drivers, Certain circumstances (e.g. the metered internet connection) can prevent that from occurring. This article will show you how to manually install the driver on your computer or via the Internet.
Go to the Printer's manufacturer's website and download your printer model's most current driver updates. Connect the Printer to your computer, and follow the steps listed below.
Right-click on the Start Menu or hold the Windows keys + X to access The Quick Access Menu. Select Device Manager and proceed.
In the “Printers” category, Right-click the driver for the Printer and select Update driver.
Choose Automatically search for drivers and wait for Windows to find the most suitable driver for your Printer. This procedure requires an internet connection and a computer connected to a WiFi or Ethernet network.
You can also browse your computer to find drivers and manually install a driver you downloaded from the Printer's manufacturer's site. After that, select Browse, then navigate to your driver's location on your computer, and choose Next for the upgrade installation.
We suggest setting Windows to automatically download drivers to your printers, specifically for metered connections.
Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners. Then select Download drivers as well as device software on metered connections.
When the Device Manager indicates that the Printer's driver is updated, visit the manufacturer's website to confirm. The history of driver updates is available within the “Download,” “Software,” or “Drivers” section on the site of the Printer's manufacturer. You can contact the company if you do not know where to find the driver update, install or install the driver update for your Printer.
