How to clear a stuck print queue
Sometimes a print job gets stuck, and everything behind it waits. New jobs do not print, and the stuck one cannot be cancelled. Clearing the queue usually solves this.
Step 1: Try the easy way
On Windows, open Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners, and select your printer. Choose Open print queue. Right-click the stuck job and choose Cancel. Try Cancel All Documents, which is often under the Printer menu in that window.
On a Mac, open System Settings, then Printers & Scanners, select the printer and choose Open Print Queue. Select the job and click the X button to delete it.
Step 2: Restart the printer
If the job still shows, turn the printer off and on. Some printers hold a job in their own memory, and a restart clears it.
Step 3: Restart the print service on Windows
If a job refuses to go, the Windows print service can be restarted. This is a little more technical, so go slowly.
- Press the Windows key, type Services and open the app of that name.
- Find Print Spooler in the list.
- Right-click it and choose Stop.
- Leave the window open and, in File Explorer, go to the spool folder for printing, which is normally inside the Windows system folders. Delete only the files inside it, not the folder.
- Go back to Services, right-click Print Spooler and choose Start.
If you are unsure about step 4, stop here and ask for help rather than guessing.
Step 4: Mac
Resetting the printing system is possible on a Mac, but it removes all printers and you must add them back. Only do this if you are happy to re-add them.
Why it happens
A job may be stuck because a file was damaged, the printer went offline halfway, or a very large file was sent.
When to get more help
If new jobs get stuck again straight away, the printer or its driver may be at fault. Tell us what you printed, the printer model and any message shown.