Excel Won'T Print? Here Are 7 Proven Fixes To Get You Back On Track!

If you've ever found yourself staring at your Excel spreadsheet, ready to hit print, only for nothing to happen, you know how frustrating that can be. You're not alone! Many users face the same dilemma when Excel just refuses to cooperate. But don't worry; there are proven fixes you can try to get back on track! 💪

Check Your Printer Settings

The first step in troubleshooting why Excel won't print is to check your printer settings. Sometimes the problem isn't with Excel but rather with the printer itself.

1. Ensure Printer is Connected: Make sure your printer is properly connected to your computer. If it’s a wireless printer, check the Wi-Fi connection.

2. Select the Correct Printer: Go to File > Print and ensure that the correct printer is selected. Sometimes the default printer may not be the one you want to use.

3. Update Printer Drivers: Make sure your printer drivers are up to date. You can usually find the latest drivers on the manufacturer's website.

4. Check Printer Queue: Open the printer queue by typing "Devices and Printers" in the search bar, then click on your printer. Look for any documents stuck in the queue and clear them if necessary.

Adjust Page Setup

Sometimes, improper page setup can lead to printing issues. You’ll want to check the page layout and settings to ensure everything is correct.

1. Set the Print Area: Select the area you want to print. Go to Page Layout > Print Area > Set Print Area.

2. Page Orientation: Go to Page Layout > Orientation and choose between Portrait or Landscape to match your content better.

3. Scaling: If your document doesn’t fit on one page, consider scaling it down. Go to Page Layout > Scale to Fit to adjust the width and height of the printed page.

Check for Print Preview

Before going ahead and printing, using the Print Preview feature can help you see what your printed document will look like. It can also help you spot any issues before wasting paper.

1. Use Print Preview: Go to File > Print. This will open a preview of your document. Look for any odd formatting or content that may not print correctly.

2. Check for Hidden Rows/Columns: Sometimes, hidden rows or columns can impact what gets printed. Go back to your spreadsheet and make sure everything you want to see is visible.

Disable Background Printing

Excel has a feature called background printing that sometimes causes problems with printing. Disabling this option may help your issue.

1. Open Excel Options: Go to File > Options > Advanced.

2. Disable Background Printing: Scroll down to the “Print” section and uncheck the box that says “Use background printing.”

Check for Updates

Another possible reason for your printing issues could be that your Excel application isn’t updated.

1. Check for Updates: Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.

2. Install Pending Updates: If there are any updates available, install them and restart Excel. This can often resolve technical glitches.

Restart Excel and Your Printer

Sometimes a good old restart can be the simplest solution!

1. Close Excel: Make sure you close all instances of Excel.

2. Restart Your Printer: Turn your printer off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.

3. Reopen Excel: Once everything is back on, reopen Excel and try printing again.

Reinstall Microsoft Excel

If none of the previous steps worked, it might be time for a fresh start.

1. Backup Your Files: Before you reinstall, make sure all your important documents are backed up.

2. Uninstall Excel: Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, find Microsoft Office, and uninstall it.

3. Reinstall Excel: Reinstall Office using your original installation media or download it from the Microsoft website.

Note: Before reinstalling, consider trying to repair your Office installation through Control Panel > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office > Change > Repair.

FAQs

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Why won’t my Excel print at all?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>This could be due to connection issues with your printer, incorrect printer settings, or even outdated software.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How do I know if my printer is the problem?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Check if you can print from other applications. If other programs work fine, the issue is likely with Excel.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What if I can’t see Print Preview?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Ensure your Excel is updated, and if the problem persists, try restarting the application.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I print just part of my worksheet?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes! You can set a specific print area by selecting the cells you want to print and then going to Page Layout > Print Area > Set Print Area.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

In summary, if you encounter issues with Excel not printing, you have various methods at your disposal to troubleshoot and resolve the problem. Start with the basics, like checking your printer settings and page setup. Don't forget about those updates, and if all else fails, sometimes a fresh reinstall can do the trick! Your Excel spreadsheets should be back in action in no time.

So go ahead, practice these fixes, and explore other Excel tutorials on this blog to further enhance your skills and knowledge. Remember, the more you practice, the more proficient you’ll become!

<p class="pro-note">📝Pro Tip: Always keep your Excel and printer drivers updated for a smoother printing experience.</p>