Whatever the reason is, you can easily clear the printer queue with the various methods discussed in this article. But, before you move on to the methods mentioned here, you can try restarting the printer by unplugging the printer cable and plugging it back again.
Why Is Your Printer Queue Not Clearing?
The printer queue is not cleared due to various reasons. However, you can go through the most common ones as listed below.
How to Clear Your Printer Queue on Windows
There are various methods to clear the printer queue. However, these are the specific fixes for the windows devices only. If you are using a different system like Mac, you can skip this section and move on directly to the next section.
Clear Printer Queue Using Windows Services
Another way to clear the printer queue is to use windows services. This method basically includes stopping the printer spooler, clearing the printer queue and then starting the printer again. For that, you can do the following.
Clear Using Command Prompt
You can also use the command prompt to clear the printer queue. Here’s how you can do it.
Clear Using the BAT File
The bat file creates a shortcut that executes the code automatically when it is run. You can easily create a bat file that clears the printer queue with these steps.
Clear Using Windows Settings
You can use the in-built Settings app in Windows to clear the printer queue. These are the steps to exactly do that.
Update the Printer Device Driver
It is important to update the device driver frequently to keep your device working smoothly. To update your printer device driver, you can follow these stepsAfter updating the driver, close the window, restart the PC and see if it works.
How to Clear Your Printer Queue on Mac
This section covers specific fixes for Mac users. There are only a few fixes available for Mac but they are very effective and will get the job done for you. Here’s how you clear the printer queue on Mac.
Using Terminal
You can use the in-built Terminal tool to clear the printer queue. Here’s how to do it.
Clear Using Preferences
With this method, you can cancel all the jobs and empty the printer queue. Here’s how you do it.
Related Questions
My Printer Spooler Keeps on Stopping. How Do I Fix It?
Your printer spooler keeps on stopping likely because your printer spooler service is not set to Automatic. You can set it in Services > Printer Spooler > Properties > Startup type. Furthermore, you can use the Printer Troubleshooter feature for windows.
Why Is My Printer Not Working?
Your printer could be not working simply because the ink/paper is finished or you chose the wrong printer. Furthermore, it can also be due to an outdated device driver or the print queue jammed because of a document that failed to print.
