Printer Says Error Printing: How to Fix It

/ How To Fix, Printers & Scanners / By
Error Printing message in print queue

A generic Error Printing message means the job failed somewhere between your computer and printer. The printer may be fine, while the queue, driver, file, Wi-Fi link, or USB cable caused the failure.

Does this affect you?

Use this when a job is marked Error in the queue or the computer shows Error Printing on Windows or Mac without a helpful printer-side message.

Cancel the stuck job and restart spooler

Clear the failed job before testing again.

  1. On Windows, open Printers & scanners, select the printer, and open the queue.
  2. Cancel the job marked Error. If it will not cancel, try Restart once, then Cancel.
  3. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and restart Print Spooler.
  4. On Mac, open Printers & Scanners, open the queue, and remove the errored job.
  5. Try printing again once the queue is empty.

Print a smaller or simpler version

Use this when the same document fails repeatedly.

  1. Print a one-line test document from another app.
  2. If that works, the original file is likely too complex or damaged.
  3. For PDFs, use Print as Image if available.
  4. Export or save the file as PDF, then print the new copy.
  5. Print smaller page ranges to find a bad page in a long document.

Reinstall the printer driver

Use this when errors happen across multiple apps and files.

  1. Remove the printer from Windows or macOS printer settings.
  2. Download the full current driver for the exact model from the manufacturer.
  3. Install it and add the printer again.
  4. Print a test page.

More control

Weak Wi-Fi can fail on big jobs

If errors happen mainly with large files, move the printer closer to the router or test Ethernet/USB if available.

Old printers can run out of memory

Lower print resolution or split large jobs into smaller page ranges when budget printers choke on complex documents.

USB hubs can cause failures

For USB printers, connect directly to the computer and try another cable if errors appear only on larger jobs.

Sources

  • Microsoft Support – Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows (2025)
  • Apple Support – If your printer does not print from your Mac (2025)
  • Brother Support – Print Job Shows Error Status (2025)
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I will only recommend products that I have personally used! Learn more on my Private Policy page.
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