Table of Contents

Why Are Print Jobs in the Printer Queue Not Processed?

Issue

When sending a print job to the printer, the document remains in the printer queue and is not processed.

Cause

This issue can occur due to several reasons, including:

  1. Printer is Offline or Not Connected: The printer may be turned off, disconnected, or in an error state.
  2. Print Spooler Service is Stopped: The Windows Print Spooler service may not be running.
  3. Printer Driver Issues: An outdated or corrupt printer driver can prevent jobs from processing.
  4. Printer is Paused: The printer may be set to "Paused" mode, preventing jobs from printing.
  5. Paper or Toner Issues: The printer may be out of paper, ink, or experiencing a paper jam.

Solution

1. Check the Printer Status

  • Ensure the printer is turned on and properly connected to the computer or network.
  • If using a network printer, verify that the printer is online and accessible from the workstation.

2. Check if the Printer is Paused

  • Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
  • Right-click the printer and select See what’s printing.
  • In the print queue window, click Printer in the top menu.
  • If Pause Printing is checked, click it to uncheck and resume printing.

3. Restart the Print Spooler Service

If the Windows Print Spooler service is stopped, print jobs may remain stuck in the queue.

  1. Open Run (Win + R), type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Locate Print Spooler in the list.
  3. Right-click Print Spooler and select Restart.
  4. Try printing again.

4. Clear the Print Queue Manually

If print jobs are stuck, clearing the queue may help.

  1. Open Run (Win + R), type services.msc, and press Enter.

  2. Stop the Print Spooler service.

  3. Open File Explorer and navigate to:

    C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

  4. Delete all files in this folder.

  5. Restart the Print Spooler service.

4. Check Printer Driver and Updates

  • Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
  • Right-click the printer and select Printer Properties.
  • Check for any updates or reinstall the printer driver.

5. Verify Paper, Toner, and Printer Errors

  • Check that the printer has enough paper and toner/ink.
  • Look for error messages on the printer's display or in the printer software.
  • Resolve any paper jams before retrying the print job.

6. Check User Permissions (Network Printers)

For network printers, ensure the user has permission to print:

  1. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
  2. Right-click the printer and select Printer Properties.
  3. Go to the Security tab and verify that the user has Print permissions.

Summary

If print jobs remain in the queue and are not processed, check the printer status, print spooler service, printer drivers, and user permissions. Ensure the printer has paper, toner, and no errors. Clearing the print queue and restarting services may also resolve the issue.

For further assistance, consult the FORNAV Documentation or contact support.