When a printer stops printing, the quickest safe path is to observe what has changed and narrow the problem. A printer can be powered on but unavailable to the computer, connected but paused, or working in one app while another has selected a different printer. Start with one harmless test and record what you can see.
Start here
Start with what the printer and screen show
Use observations rather than repeated retries. You are looking for a small, specific clue.
Check the printer itselfLook for power, paper or ink warnings, an offline message and any exact error shown on the printer display.Read this part
Check the connection pathConfirm whether the printer uses Wi-Fi or USB, and whether the primary device is connected to the same home network when Wi-Fi is used.Read this part
Try one controlled printUse a short, non-confidential document from one device and note the selected printer and result.Read this part
Check the printer status
Look at the printer before changing settings. Is it powered on? Does it show an exact message such as offline, paused, paper, ink or cover open? Note the make and model if it is not obvious. An exact message is more useful than “it does not work”.
Check only what is safely visible: paper in the normal tray, a plainly accessible cable and the printer’s own display or lights. Do not disassemble the printer, force a jam, or reset it just to see what happens.
Separate connection from printing
Identify the route between the device and printer. For Wi-Fi, check that the device is using the intended home network. For USB, check that the cable is connected at both ends without repeatedly unplugging it. If other household internet services are also failing, the issue may be broader than the printer. See Wi-Fi dropouts: diagnosis for that separate problem.
Run one harmless test
From the device you normally use, confirm that the intended printer is selected. Print one short, non-confidential sample. If it fails, record the exact message and whether the job appears in the print queue. If it works from one app but not another, the app or document may be the next useful comparison.
Windows users can compare the printer’s status and queue through the printer settings. The Microsoft Windows printer guidance covers status, network checks and the queue. Apple devices can use AirPrint only with a compatible printer on the same network, and not every app supports printing; see Apple AirPrint guidance.
If the printer remains unavailable, keep the model, connection type, selected device and exact error together. That gives the next check a clear starting point.
Setting up new equipment instead? Start with setting up a new home printer.
For platform-specific steps, see Microsoft’s offline-printer troubleshooting or Apple’s AirPrint guidance, as applicable to your setup.
What to read next
If you’d rather have local help, see our printer troubleshooting help.