You press print and nothing happens. The printer shows as “offline”, the job sits in the queue, or the printer that worked yesterday has vanished from your laptop. This is one of the most common problems we see in homes and small offices around Neasden, Willesden, Kilburn and Dollis Hill, and the cause is rarely a broken printer. Try these six checks in order.
Fix 1: restart everything
It sounds too simple, but it clears a surprising number of faults. Switch off the printer, the computer and the router. Wait about 30 seconds, then switch on the router first, then the printer, then the computer. Give the router a couple of minutes to settle before testing.
Fix 2: check it is on the right network
The printer and the computer must be on the same network. Printers often lose their connection after the router is replaced, the WiFi password is changed, or the router moves devices onto a different network. Look at the printer’s screen or its network report and check it shows the same WiFi name as your computer. A common trap is a printer joined to a guest network, which usually cannot talk to your other devices.
Some printers only support the 2.4GHz band, not 5GHz. If your router merges both bands under one name, the printer can struggle to join. Our guide to WiFi dead spots explains the two bands. A printer in a far corner of the house may also simply be out of range.
If you are unsure whether the problem is WiFi or the printer itself, try a USB cable if your printer has a port. If it prints over USB, the printer works and the problem is the wireless connection. Many printers also have a built-in wireless setup option in their menu, which walks you through joining the network again. Check the printer’s manual or the maker’s website for the exact steps for your model.
Fix 3: clear the print queue
A single stuck job can block everything behind it. On Windows, open Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners, choose your printer and open the print queue. Cancel all documents, then try a short test page. On a Mac, open System Settings, then Printers & Scanners, open your printer’s queue and delete the waiting jobs.
Fix 4: check the printer is not set to offline
In the Windows queue window, look under the Printer menu. If “Use Printer Offline” is ticked, untick it. Also check that your chosen printer is the one selected when you print, because Windows sometimes switches the default to a PDF printer or to an old, removed device.
Fix 5: remove and re-add the printer
If the printer is still stubborn, remove it from your computer and add it again. On Windows, use Printers & scanners, remove the device, then choose Add device. On a Mac, remove it in Printers & Scanners and add it back with the plus button. This often replaces a damaged connection setting with a fresh one.
Fix 6: update or reinstall the driver
Drivers are the small programs that let your computer talk to a printer. After a big Windows update they can stop working. Download the current driver directly from the printer maker’s own website, using the exact model number printed on the printer. Be careful of random download sites, and ignore any pop-up or phone number claiming to offer “printer support”. Fake support lines are common, and our guide to scam pop-ups and fake Microsoft calls explains how to spot them.
Still stuck after all six? Check one more thing: does printing work from a different device, such as your phone? If it does, the printer is fine and the fault is on your computer. If nothing can print, look at the printer or the network.
When it is time to get help
If the checks have not worked, or you need a printer to work on several devices, or you want scanning to email, we can help at your home or small office. Our printer setup service is a fixed price of £65 per device, or £49 per device during our Halloween sale until 31 December 2026. It covers up to an hour, and most setups finish in one visit. We install on the PC, Mac, iPad and phone you actually use. We do not sell ink subscriptions.
If the printer is cheaper to replace than to fix, such as when the paper path or duplexer has failed, we will tell you honestly in the first fifteen minutes. If the problem is really your network, our WiFi setup page explains what we can do about that too.
We also visit Kilburn, Golders Green, Cricklewood and the rest of our London coverage area. To arrange a visit, send us a message or call 07766 760516.