How to Clear a Stuck Print Queue

Quick answer

To clear a print queue, open the list of waiting print jobs for your printer and cancel them. On Windows, if a job won’t go away, restarting the Print Spooler service (the part of Windows that holds and sends print jobs) usually clears it. On a Mac, deleting the job from the printer’s queue window normally works. This guide is for anyone whose printer has a job stuck at “printing” or “error” that blocks everything behind it.

Before you start

• Check the printer first. A stuck job is often caused by the printer, not the computer. Make sure it is on, has paper, and shows no jam or error message.
• Save your work. You will need to print documents again after clearing the queue.
• Know who else prints. On a shared printer, canceling all jobs may remove other people’s jobs too.
• Restart once. Turning the printer off and on, and restarting the computer, clears many stuck jobs by itself.

How to clear the print queue

Windows 11: cancel jobs from the queue

1. Open Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners.
2. Select your printer, then select Open print queue.
3. Right-click a stuck job and choose Cancel, or use the menu (three dots) to cancel all jobs.
4. Wait a moment. If the job disappears, try printing again.

On Windows 10, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers & scanners, select the printer and choose Open queue.

Windows 11: restart the Print Spooler

If a job stays on “Deleting” or won’t cancel, restart the Print Spooler. This needs an administrator account.

1. Select Start, type services, and open the Services app.
2. Scroll to Print Spooler in the list, right-click it and choose Stop.
3. Open File Explorer and go to the folder C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. If Windows asks for permission to open it, select Continue.
4. Delete the files inside this folder. Delete only the files inside PRINTERS, never the folder itself or anything elsewhere in System32. The folder may already be empty.
5. Go back to Services, right-click Print Spooler and choose Start.
6. Open the print queue again. It should now be empty. Print your document again.

If you’d rather not delete files, steps 2 and 5 on their own (stop, then start the spooler) often clear the queue too.

macOS

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, then Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your printer and click Printer Queue (it may also open from the printer icon in the Dock while printing).
3. Select the stuck job and click the delete button (an X) next to it. Repeat for any other stuck jobs.
4. If the queue shows that printing is paused, click Resume.
5. Restart the Mac and the printer, then print again.

If jobs still won’t clear, you can remove the printer from Printers & Scanners and add it again. As a last resort, macOS can reset the printing system: in Printers & Scanners, Control-click the list of printers and choose Reset printing system. This removes all printers and their queues, so you will need to add your printers again afterward.

If this does not work

Try these next steps in order:

1. Turn the printer off, unplug it for a minute, then plug it back in. Some printers keep a job in their own memory.
2. Check the connection. If the printer shows as offline, see how to fix a printer that says it’s offline.
3. Remove and re-add the printer in Printers & scanners on Windows or Printers & Scanners on a Mac.
4. Run updates. Install Windows Update or macOS updates, which can fix printing system bugs.
5. Reinstall the driver. A damaged driver can keep jobs stuck. Follow how to install or update a printer driver safely.
6. Look at the printer itself. If the queue is clear but nothing prints, see what to do when your printer won’t print.

When to get professional help

Contact the printer manufacturer’s support or a qualified technician if:

• Jobs get stuck every time, even after a clean driver reinstall
• The printer shows a hardware error or makes unusual noises
• The Print Spooler stops again by itself shortly after you restart it
• The computer is managed by a workplace or school, where IT staff should handle print services

Be wary of pop-ups or unexpected calls claiming your print system is infected and asking for remote access. Real companies don’t contact people this way.

FAQ

Why does a print job get stuck in the queue?

Common causes include a paper jam, a printer that went offline mid-job, a very large file or a damaged driver. The stuck job then blocks every job behind it until it is cleared.

Is it safe to restart the Print Spooler?

Yes, stopping and starting the Print Spooler is a standard step. Any waiting print jobs may be lost, so you may need to print them again. Only delete files inside the PRINTERS folder, nothing else.

Will clearing the queue delete my document?

No. It only removes the copy waiting to print. The original file on your computer is not affected.

Why does my Mac say printing is paused?

The queue may pause after an error, such as the printer being out of paper or briefly unreachable. Fix the cause, then click Resume in the printer queue window.

Can I clear the print queue from the printer itself?

Many printers have a cancel button or a job menu on their control panel. Options vary by model, so check the manual. Clearing the computer’s queue is still needed if the job is stuck there.