How do I stop my printer from printing?

You can stop your printer from printing by canceling the print job from your computer's print queue, turning off the printer, or physically disconnecting it.

How to Immediately Stop a Print Job

When you need to halt printing right away, these are the most effective methods.

1. Cancel from Your Computer's Print Queue

This is the recommended way to stop a specific print job without affecting other print operations.

For Windows Users:

The steps to access your printer's queue may vary slightly depending on your Windows version.

Windows 7 Specific Steps:

1. Click on the Start button.
2. Go to Control Panel.
3. Click on Hardware and Sound.
4. Click on Devices and Printers.
5. Locate your printer in the list, then double-click on it to open the print queue.
6. Right-click on the document you wish to cancel and select Cancel or Delete.

General Steps for Windows 10/11:

1. Click the Start button and type "Printers & scanners" or "Devices and Printers," then select the relevant settings.
2. Find your printer in the list and click on it.
3. Select Open queue or Manage > Open print queue.
4. In the print queue window, right-click the document you want to stop.
5. Choose Cancel or Delete, then confirm if prompted.

If the job remains stuck, you might need to try cancelling all jobs or restarting the printer.

For macOS Users:

1. Look for the Printer icon that appears in your Dock while printing. Click it.
2. Alternatively, go to System Settings (or System Preferences) > Printers & Scanners.
3. Select your printer and click Open Print Queue....
4. In the print queue, select the job you want to stop.
5. Click the "X" button next to the job to cancel it.

2. Turn Off Your Printer

For an immediate, complete stop to all current printing:

1. Press the Power button directly on your printer.
2. Wait a few seconds, then you can turn it back on.

Note: Turning off the printer mid-print can sometimes lead to a partially printed page or a paper jam. The cancelled job will likely remain in your computer's print queue and attempt to print again once the printer is powered back on, so it's best to also cancel it from your computer.

3. Disconnect the Printer

If turning off the printer isn't an option or doesn't work:

1. Unplug the USB cable connecting the printer to your computer.
2. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet or the back of the printer itself.

This physically severs the printer's connection and power, halting all operations.

Preventing Future Prints or Clearing Stuck Jobs

If you encounter persistent issues with jobs that won't cancel or keep restarting, consider these advanced steps.

1. Clear All Print Jobs and Restart the Print Spooler (Windows)

The print spooler service on Windows manages print jobs. If it gets stuck, it can prevent jobs from being cancelled or new jobs from processing.

1. Cancel all jobs from your printer's queue first (as described above).
2. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
3. Type services.msc and press Enter.
4. Scroll down and locate the Print Spooler service.
5. Right-click on Print Spooler and select Restart.
6. If restarting doesn't work, right-click and select Stop. Then, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. Delete all files within this folder (you may need administrator permissions). Finally, go back to services.msc and Start the Print Spooler service.

2. Cancel from the Application

Many applications allow you to cancel a print job immediately after clicking "Print," before it's fully sent to the printer. Look for a small "Printing..." pop-up window or an option to cancel within the application's interface.

Troubleshooting Persistent Printing Issues

Here's a quick guide to common issues and their solutions:

Issue	Solution
Job won't cancel in queue	Restart the Print Spooler service (Windows) or restart both your computer and printer. Ensure all cables are securely connected.
Printer keeps printing unwanted jobs	Clear all pending jobs from the print queue on all connected devices. Check if another user on your network is sending jobs. Consider updating your printer drivers.
Printer is offline or paused	In your computer's printer settings (Devices and Printers on Windows, Printers & Scanners on macOS), ensure the printer is not set to "Offline" or "Paused." Uncheck these options if enabled.
Paper jam or error	Follow your printer's manual to clear any paper jams. Address any error messages displayed on the printer's screen or your computer. Printing often resumes automatically once the error is resolved.

By understanding these methods, you can effectively stop your printer from printing, whether you need an immediate halt or are dealing with a more persistent problem.