7 Fixes For Error Printing Message on Windows 10

Printers are essential hardware for institutions and offices. It can cause mayhem in these places if the printers do not make hard copies of the necessary files.

When your printer refuses to make printouts, you might see the “Error printing” message errors on your screen. If you are wondering how to proceed and print your files or image, use this article to fix this error and get your printer pushing out warm sheets of paper in no time. 

Solutions to fix the Error Printing message on your Windows 10 PC

The “Error Printing” message is generally caused by a loose connection or outdated printer drivers. When this dialog box appears on your screen, it could be accompanied by an error code for reference or no code. Do not confuse this issue with the Missing or Damaged ink cartridge errors.  

Epson Stylus 522 printer

These are the different steps that you can use on your Windows 10 computer to solve the Error Printing message errors. 

  1. Take a look at the Printer’s paper tray
  2. Check the Printer cable and the port
  3. Disconnect and Reconnect the Printer device
  4. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
  5. Update the USB driver software
  6. Disable and Re-enable the Printer Spooler service
  7. Clear the Printing queue

Fixing the “Error Printing” message on Windows 10 

Take a look at the Printer’s paper tray

Paper and ink are the most important factors that one needs to print. The paper is placed on an expandable tray, from which the device pulls in the paper and pushes out the hard copy of the file. If this tray is empty or damaged, the printer will not be able to find any paper to print the content onto. This will result in the computer showing you the Error Printing message.

HP LaserJet printer with an extended paper tray

If the tray is dislodged, you should be able to put it back in place, easily. If it is broken, take it to a repair center and the professionals will give you a solution. 

Check the Printer cable

A cable is used to connect the printer and your computer. If this cable is disconnected or damaged, there would be no link between the device and the PC. Take a look at the wire and if there are any damages, take the printer to the service center and they should be able to replace the wire. 

The problem can also lie with the slot, through which the printer is connected to the PC with the help of the cable. If the slot is loose or broken, your printer can be switched on but not be used to make print-outs.

Disconnect and Reconnect the Printer device

Another workaround for this issue is to unplug all the connections to the printer from your computer. Remove the wires carefully and attach them again. Wait for the printer to be detected again and try printing your files after this method. 

Run the Printer Troubleshooter

  1. Launch the Windows Settings (Windows logo key + I).
  2. Go into the Updates & Security settings tile and click on the Troubleshoot tab. 
Troubleshoot page in the Windows Settings
  1. Locate the Printer option. If you haven’t used any troubleshooter before, you will have to look for the Printer troubleshooter in the Additional Troubleshooters link. It will be available in the Get up and running section.
  2. Click on the Printer option and select the Run as troubleshooter option. 
Printer troubleshooter in the Additional troubleshooters section

This will initiate the troubleshooting for the printer hardware. You might have to select a few options, but that is unlikely. 

  1. Once the process is complete you’ll be shown details of the error. Click on the Apply this fix button to make the apt changes, automatically.

Update the USB driver software

  1. Bring up the Quick-Link/Power User menu (Windows logo key + X key) by right-clicking on the Start button. You can also open the Run utility (Windows + R) and execute the devmgmt.msc command to open the Device Manager.
Device Manager option in the Quick Link menu
  1. Choose the Device Manager option in this menu and this will launch the Device Manager window. You’ll be able to see all the devices on your computer, categorized neatly. 
  2. As an alternate method, You can also open the Run utility (Windows + R) and execute the devmgmt.msc command to open the Device Manager.
  3. Unfold the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section and right-click on the USB port driver, to which the printer is connected. These are not the driver names, which have Mass Storage or USB in them.
USB Controllers driver software
  1. Click on the Update driver option and this will prompt the Update USB driver window to appear on your screen. 
  2. From this window, choose Search automatically for updated drivers
Update USB driver window and the Search automatically for updates option
  1. With a good internet connection, your system will download the latest USB port drivers. 
  2. Restart your computer to install the downloaded updates.

This is the manual method to upgrade and install your driver software.  

You can download drivers for the most recent USB drivers from the respective manufacturer’s site in the form of a setup. You can install it to update it to the latest version. 

Disable and Re-enable the Print Spooler service 

The Print Spooler is a Microsoft Windows 10 system service that retains all the files until the printer is ready to print them and produce hard copies of the image or document. The print job is held in the Spooler folder when the printer is busy and is printing something. 

Here’s how you could restart this service.

  1. Search for the Services window in the taskbar search box and open the first search result. It will be the Services application.
  2. You’ll see a list of all the system services, that are dormant or functioning on your computer. From this long list, find the Print Spooler service
Print Spooler service in the Services window
  1. Check the status of the service, which should be running. Right-click on this service and choose the Restart option. 
  2. You can also choose to Stop the process and Start it again to refresh it, from the context menu.  

Now, try and print the file that you need to. If you are able to receive a printed output, you’re set.

Verify your printer port settings

  1. Open the Windows Control Panel. For this, you can use the search box or, alternatively, launch the Run tool (Windows key + R), enter the control command, and click Ok on the small dialog box. 
  2. Go into the Devices and Printers settings and you’ll be shown a screen with all the devices that are currently attached to your computer.
Devices and Printers window in the Windows 10 control panel - printer error
  1. Right-click on your printer and choose the Printer properties option. 
  2. Open the Ports tab and find the port through which your printers are connected. 
  3. Check the checkbox next to the port that usually hosts the printer’s USB pin
  4. Click on Apply and then, OK to save the changes and close this dialog box. 

Clear the Printing queue

  1. Open a Windows Explorer window by pressing the Windows key and E together. 
  2. Copy and paste the following directory in the Windows Explorer address bar:

%WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers

  1. If there are contents inside this folder, select all of them (Ctrl + A) and delete them. 

This will clear the queue of documents and other files that are waiting to be printed.

If you cannot fix this issue with these solutions and get your printer, printing correctly on your Windows 10 PC, again, report this issue to the printer support and they should replace it or fix the printer for you. We hope this article was helpful for you to solve the error printing problem.