Fix Word Freezing Issues When Printing on Windows 11/10
Key Notes
- Check for Microsoft Office and Windows updates before troubleshooting.
- Running the Printer Troubleshooter can automatically resolve issues.
- Consider converting documents to PDF if the printing issue persists.
Resolving Microsoft Word Freezing Issues During Printing: A Comprehensive Guide
If you’re encountering freezing issues in Microsoft Word while attempting to print, this guide provides essential steps to diagnose and fix the problem effectively.
Troubleshooting Steps for Microsoft Word Freezing
Step 1: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
To resolve printing issues, start by running the Printer Troubleshooter. In Windows 11, you can access this through the Get Help app, which identifies issues that could affect document printing.
Step 2: Clear the Print Spooler
To clear the Print Spooler, open the Windows Services Manager and stop the Print Spooler service. Then, navigate to C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files within the PRINTERS folder (do not delete the folder itself).Restart the Print Spooler service and check if Word still freezes when printing.
Step 3: Uninstall and Reinstall the Printer Driver
A faulty printer driver can cause functionality issues. To resolve, open Device Manager, find your printer under Print queues, right-click on it, and select Uninstall device. After that, reinstall the latest printer driver from the manufacturer’s website.
Step 4: Change Your Default Printer
Problems can arise when a Network Printer is offline. Go to the Printers & scanners page in Windows Settings, select a different printer as your default, and disable the Let Windows manage my default printer option if necessary.
Step 5: Repair System Image Files
Corrupted system files may lead to issues in Word when printing. Use built-in Windows tools like System File Checker (`sfc /scannow`) and DISM to repair these files.
Step 6: Check for Issues in Safe Mode
Run Microsoft Word in Safe Mode to see if it still freezes during printing. If it does not freeze, this indicates that a problematic add-in is causing the issue. Check and disable add-ins to find the culprit.
Step 7: Save the Document as PDF
If Word continues to crash when printing, you can export the document as a PDF instead. Go to File > Save As, select PDF under the Save as type dropdown, and save your document.
Step 8: Repair Microsoft Office
As a last resort, repairing the Office installation can resolve persistent issues. Use the built-in repair option or the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant to uninstall and reinstall Office if necessary. Make sure you have your product key for reinstallation.
Summary
This guide provided detailed steps to troubleshoot and rectify the issue of Microsoft Word freezing when printing. From running the Printer Troubleshooter to reinstalling the Office package, following these steps can help restore functionality.
Conclusion
Experiencing freezes in Microsoft Word when printing can be frustrating, but with a systematic approach to the troubleshooting steps outlined above, most users can resolve the issue efficiently. Don’t hesitate to reach out for additional support if needed.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why is Microsoft Word not responding when printing?
Typically, Word freezes during printing due to an offline printer, a problematic add-in, or a corrupted printer driver. Uninstalling the printer driver often helps resolve this issue.
How do I force quit a frozen Word?
If Word is unresponsive, wait briefly to see if it recovers. If not, open the Task Manager, find `WINWORD`, right-click it, and select End task. Note that this will result in loss of any unsaved work.