Printer Copies but Won't Print From the Computer
A successful copy is a strong clue. The printer can move paper and produce output without the computer, so do not start by replacing supplies or taking the printer apart. The next question is why the computer's print job is not reaching the same working print engine.
Safe first checks
- Print one simple page from Notepad, Paint, TextEdit, or another basic app.
- Confirm the correct physical printer is selected in the print window.
- Check the print queue for paused or stuck jobs.
- If you are on Windows, try a Windows test page.
What the result tells us
If a local copy prints cleanly, the basic paper path, imaging or supply system, and printer engine are capable of producing a page. If a Windows test page prints too, the problem is probably limited to the original app or document. If the test page fails, the computer's queue, connection, printer entry, port, or driver deserves attention before the printer hardware does.
Common cause categories
- the computer is sending the job to the wrong printer entry
- a stuck or paused queue is blocking new jobs
- the network or USB printing path is failing even though local copying works
- Windows or macOS has a stale printer setup
- only the original application or document is failing
Relevant exceptions
A copy test does not verify every printer feature. A copy may use different paper settings than a computer job. If the printer itself shows an error when the computer job arrives, follow that exact message first.
When deeper troubleshooting is needed
Use the guided troubleshooter if the correct printer is selected and a simple test still will not print. Keep the fact that copying works in mind: the diagnostic should stay on the computer-to-printer print path.
Continue with guided troubleshooting
Printer Triage asks one question at a time and keeps the checks tied to the symptom you are seeing.