Why Can’t the Printer Print Even Though It’s Ready? This Is the Reason & How to Solve It

Your printer suddenly can’t print even though it is “ready”? This is certainly very annoying, especially when you have work that must be completed immediately. Before looking for a solution, it’s a good idea to understand some of the possible causes.

A printer is a hardware device used to print documents or images in the form of physical prints. However, sometimes printers experience problems that hinder the printing process even when they are “ready”. In this article, we will discuss the possible causes and solutions to these issues, so that you can fix your printer quickly and get back to your work.

Why the Printer Won’t Print Even though it’s Ready: Here are 7 Possible Causes

The printer won’t print even though the status displayed is ‘ready’? One of the reasons below could be the cause.

No	Possible Cause	Solution
1	Empty Toner or Ink Cartridge	Replace the empty cartridge with a new one
2	Stuck Paper	Carefully remove the stuck paper
3	Unstable Connection	Check and make sure the connection between the printer and computer is well connected
4	Inappropriately Installed Printer Driver	Install the appropriate printer driver that is compatible with the printer
5	Jammed Print Commands	Remove print commands that are stuck in the printing queue
6	Printer Hardware Problem	Clean or replace damaged or worn printer parts
7	Network Configuration Problem	Check and reset the printer’s network configuration

1. Empty Toner or Ink Cartridge

One possible reason why the printer cannot print is because the toner or ink cartridge is empty. The cartridge contains the ink or toner used by the printer to print documents. When the cartridge is empty, the printer will not be able to dispense the ink or toner needed to print.

The solution is to replace the empty toner or ink cartridge with a new cartridge that has enough ink or toner. Make sure you buy a cartridge that is compatible with your printer to avoid compatibility issues.

2. Stuck Paper

When paper gets stuck in the printer, the printer mechanism will not function properly, making it unable to print documents. Trapped paper can occur due to uneven paper or untidy folds.

To solve this problem, check the inside of the printer and see if there is any paper stuck. Remove the paper carefully to avoid damaging the printer. Also, make sure to clean up any paper residue that may still be stuck inside the printer.

3. Unstable Connection

An unstable connection between the printer and computer can also cause the printer to not print. If the connection between the two devices is lost or disrupted, the printer will not receive print commands from the computer.

To resolve this issue, ensure that the USB cable or wireless connection between the printer and computer is well connected. If using a wireless connection, make sure the printer and computer are close enough that there are no walls or electronic devices blocking the signal. Also, restarting the printer and computer can also help fix the unstable connection problem.

4. Improperly Installed Printer Driver

Printer drivers are software used by computers to communicate with printers. If the printer driver is not installed properly or the driver version you are using is not compatible with the printer, the printer will not print.

The solution is to make sure you have installed the appropriate printer driver for your printer make and model. You can get the latest printer driver from the printer manufacturer’s official website or use the installation CD that came with your printer purchase. If the printer driver is installed correctly, but the problem persists, try updating the driver to the latest version.

5. Stuck Print Command

Sometimes, print commands that get stuck in the printing queue can cause the printer to not print. An unfinished or stuck print command in the queue can interrupt the next printing process.

To solve this problem, open the printing queue on your computer and delete the stuck print command. After that, try printing a new document to see if the printer is able to function again. If the problem persists, restarting the printer and computer may help clear the stuck print queue.

6. Printer Hardware Problems

Damage to the printer hardware can also cause the printer to not print even though it is “ready”. One component that often experiences problems is the paper roller or paper puller. Worn or dirty paper rollers can prevent the printer from pulling paper properly.

The solution is to clean the paper roller using a tissue or soft cloth. Gently rub the paper roller until the dirt is removed. If the paper roller is too worn, consider replacing it with a new one. Also, check for other components such as the drum or fuser that may be damaged or worn out.

7. Network Configuration Problem

If the printer is connected in a complex network or uses the wireless printing feature, a network configuration issue could be the cause of the printer not printing.

To solve this, check the printer’s network settings and ensure the correct network configuration. If using the wireless printing feature, make sure the printer is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and connected correctly. If using a wired connection, make sure the network cable is well connected and there is no damage to the cable.

Why Can’t Printer Print Even Though Ready – Q&A

1. Do I have to replace the cartridge if the printer won’t print?

Yes, an empty cartridge can be the main cause of the printer not printing. Replace the empty cartridge with a new one to solve this problem.

2. How do I clean a dirty paper roller?

To clean a dirty paper roller, use a soft tissue or cloth. Gently rub the paper roller until the dirt is removed.

3. Do I need to install a new printer driver?
Yes, if the printer driver is not installed properly or the driver version you are using is not compatible with the printer, you need to download and install a new printer driver from the printer manufacturer’s official website or use the included installation CD.

4. How do I clear a print command stuck in the printing queue?

To clear print commands stuck in the printing queue, open the printing queue on the computer and delete print commands that are not completed or stuck in the queue.

5. What to do if the printer still won’t print after following the solutions above?

If the printer still won’t print after following the above solutions, you can try contacting the printer manufacturer’s customer support service for further assistance or to get your printer repaired.

6. Why is my printer not connecting with my computer wirelessly?
Wireless connection issues can be caused by several factors, such as too much distance between the printer and computer, Wi-Fi signal interference, or network configuration issues. Make sure the printer and computer are close enough and there are no walls or electronic devices blocking the signal. Also, check the printer’s network settings to ensure proper configuration.

7. Can I try other alternatives before replacing the printer hardware?
Of course! Before deciding to replace the printer hardware, there are several alternatives that you can try first. For example, cleaning dirty components, resetting the network configuration, or updating the printer driver to the latest version. If after trying all these solutions the printer is still unable to print, then replacing the printer hardware may be the way to go.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed various possible causes and solutions to the problem of why the printer won’t print when it’s ready. These range from empty cartridges, stuck paper, unstable connections, improperly installed printer drivers, stuck print commands, printer hardware malfunctions, to network configuration issues.

It is important to try the solutions described above before replacing the printer hardware. If all solutions have been tried but the printer still won’t print, you can seek help from the printer manufacturer’s customer support service or repair your printer.

Hopefully, this article will be useful for those of you who are experiencing problems with your printer. Good luck and hopefully your printer can function properly again!

How to Solve Printer Can’t Print Even Though Ready