Although there are capable Word alternatives, most users prefer Microsoft’s solution for familiarity and cross-platform availability. People usually share Word documents over email or cloud storage, but occasionally, you need to print out files for specific purposes. However, many have complained about Microsoft Word not responding when printing, and if you face the same, here are the top ways to troubleshoot the problem.
Table of Contents
1. Turn on Printer and Check Cable Connection
You should first ensure that the printer is on and properly connected to your Windows computer. When you try to print without an active printer connection, Word may crash or stop responding.
2. Check Default Printer
You should set a relevant printer as default to avoid any issues while printing a document from Word.
1. Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings. Select Bluetooth & Devices from the sidebar and open Printer & scanners.
2. Select your preferred printer.
3. Hit Set as Default from the following menu and try printing documents again.
3. Remove and Add Printer
Does Microsoft Word crash while printing a document on the connected printer? You should remove and add the printer and try again.
1. Open your preferred printer in Windows Settings (check the steps above).
2. Select Remove and go back.
3. Click Add device to delete and add your printer again.
4. Check Ink and Paper
If your printer is running out of ink and paper, it may crash the connected software like Microsoft Word. You should refill the ink, add more blank pages to your printer, and try again. Â
5. Try Another File
One of the corrupt Word files may cause issues with the app crashing while printing. You should move to other documents and print them without any problems.
6. Download Word Documents as PDF and Try Again
Instead of directly printing from Microsoft Word, you may export the Word document as PDF and print it.
1. Launch a document in Microsoft Word and click File in the top-right corner.
2. Click Save As and pick your preferred location. Expand the following menu and select PDF.
Launch File Explorer and open your PDF in Microsoft Edge (the default PDF reader on Windows). Click the Print button at the top (or use Ctrl + P keys), check print options, and hit Print.
7. Troubleshoot Printer
Windows comes with a built-in troubleshooter tool to fix common issues with the connected printer. You can run it to fix the Word not responding when printing issues. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Head to Windows Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys.
2. Select System from the sidebar and open the Troubleshoot menu.
3. Select Other Troubleshooters.
4. Run the Printer troubleshooter from the following menu.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the job.
8. Restart Printer Spooler Service
Your printer relies on the default printer spooler service to print documents without any issues. The service runs in the background and starts during the system startup. You can restart the printer spooler service to fix such glitches with Word.
1. Press the Windows key and search for Services. Hit Enter.
2. Scroll down to Print Spooler. Right-click on it and hit Restart.
9. Disable Word Extensions
While Microsoft Word supports hundreds of add-ons, a corrupt one can spoil your experience and cause the app to crash while printing. You should review the installed extensions and remove unnecessary ones.
1. Launch Microsoft Word and click File in the top-right corner.
2. Open Options.
3. Select Add-ins and click Go.
4. Remove irrelevant add-ons from Microsoft Word.
Restart the app and try printing a document again. The app shouldn’t crash during the process.
10. Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated printer drivers can be the major culprit here. You can reinstall printer drivers from the Device Manager.
1. Right-click on the Windows key and open the Device Manager menu.
2. Scroll to Print queues and expand the option.
3. Right-click on a printer and select Uninstall device.
Restart your PC, and the system downloads the relevant drivers during the reboot process.
11. Update Microsoft Word
An outdated Microsoft Word app on your Windows PC can be the main factor behind such issues. You should update Microsoft Word to the latest version and try again.
1. Go to the File menu in Microsoft Word (check the steps above).
2. Select Account, expand Update options, and hit Update now to install the latest Microsoft 365 apps on your system.
Printer Your Word Documents in No Time
The tricks above should enable a smooth printing operation in Microsoft Word. If you plan to circulate Word documents to employees or business customers, make sure to sign them to confirm your authority. You can read our dedicated post to add your signature in Microsoft Word.
