Printer not working? Try this first
Updated 9 November 2026 · How-to
The quick checks that fix most printing problems, from stuck print queues to the wrong default printer.
Printers cause more frustration per minute than almost anything else in an office. The good news is that most printing problems have a simple cause, and a few checks will usually get you printing again.
Check the printer itself
Look at the printer's screen or lights. Paper jams, an empty tray, a low toner warning or an open door all stop printing, and the printer usually says so. Clear any jam gently following the diagrams inside the printer, and make sure every door and tray is fully closed.
Is it on the network?
If nobody can print, turn the printer off, wait thirty seconds and turn it back on. Give it a couple of minutes to reconnect. If only you cannot print but others can, the problem is on your computer.
Check you are printing to the right printer
In the print window, look at the printer name. Windows sometimes changes the default to the last printer used, or to "Microsoft Print to PDF", which saves a file instead of printing. Choose the right printer from the list. If you work from more than one office, check you are not printing to a printer at the other site.
Clear a stuck print queue
On Windows, open Settings, then Bluetooth and devices and Printers and scanners. Select your printer and open the print queue. If there are documents waiting, cancel them all, then try printing again. A single stuck document can block everything behind it. On a Mac, open System Settings, then Printers and Scanners, and open the queue the same way.
Restart your computer
If the printer works for others and your queue is clear, restart your computer. It resets the connection to the printer and clears a lot of minor faults.
Still not printing
Email hello@bitnode.tech with the printer's name or location, what the printer's screen says, and whether anyone else can print. A photo of any error on the printer screen helps a lot. Please do not reinstall printer software from the maker's website yourself; we install the right driver for business use, and the downloads often include extra software you do not need.
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