How to Fix Outlook Not Printing Emails in Windows 11

Is the Outlook app not printing emails on your Windows 11 PC? Whether nothing happens when you click Print, the print preview doesn’t open, or your emails print incorrectly, these issues can usually be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps. Outlook printing problems are often caused by temporary app glitches, incorrect printer settings, outdated printer drivers, or issues with Windows printing services. In this guide, you’ll learn the most effective solutions to fix Outlook printing problems in Windows 11 and get your printer working again.

Fix 1: Check if the Printer Works with Other Apps

Before troubleshooting Outlook, make sure the problem isn’t with your printer. Try printing a document from another application, such as Notepad, Microsoft Word, or your web browser.

• If the document prints successfully, the problem is likely related to the Outlook app.
• If you can’t print from any application, the issue is probably with your printer, printer driver, or Windows printing services.

If the printer works in other apps but not in Outlook, continue with the troubleshooting methods below.

Fix 2: Restart the Outlook App and Your Printer

Temporary glitches in the Outlook app or your printer can sometimes prevent emails from printing correctly. Restarting both devices clears temporary errors and re-establishes the connection between Outlook, Windows, and the printer.

1. Close the Outlook app completely.
2. Turn off your printer and unplug it from the power source.
3. Wait for about 30 seconds, then plug the printer back in and turn it on.
4. Reopen the Outlook app and try printing the email again.

If the problem persists, continue with the next solution.

Fix 3: Make Sure the Correct Printer Is Selected

If Outlook is sending the print job to the wrong printer, such as Microsoft Print to PDF, Microsoft XPS Document Writer, or another virtual printer, your emails may not print as expected.

1. Open the email you want to print.
2. Click Print.
3. In the Printer drop-down menu, make sure your physical printer is selected.
4. If the wrong printer is selected, choose the correct one and click Print again.

If you have multiple printers installed, you can also set your preferred printer as the default in Windows:

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select your printer.
3. Click Set as default (if the option is available).

After changing the printer, return to Outlook and try printing the email again.

Fix 4: Update the Outlook App

Microsoft regularly releases updates for the Outlook app to fix bugs, improve performance, and resolve known issues. If Outlook recently stopped printing emails, installing the latest app update may fix the problem.

To update the Outlook app:

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Click Library in the bottom-left corner.
3. Click Get updates in the top-right corner.
4. If an update for Outlook is available, it will download and install automatically.

After the update is installed, restart the Outlook app and try printing the email again.

You should also make sure Windows 11 is up to date:

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Install any available updates and restart your PC.

If Outlook still isn’t printing emails, continue with the next solution.

Fix 5: Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler manages all print jobs sent from Windows applications, including Outlook. If this service stops responding or becomes stuck, Outlook may fail to print emails even though your printer is working properly.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. In the Services window, locate Print Spooler.
3. Right-click Print Spooler and select Restart.
4. Wait a few seconds for the service to restart.
5. Open Outlook and try printing the email again.

If the Restart option isn’t available, right-click Print Spooler, select Stop, wait a few seconds, then select Start.

If the problem continues, proceed to the next troubleshooting method.

Fix 6: Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

A corrupted or outdated printer driver can prevent Outlook from communicating with your printer correctly. Updating or reinstalling the printer driver can often resolve printing issues.

Update the Printer Driver

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Print queues or Printers.
3. Right-click your printer and select Update driver.
4. Click Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Restart your PC and try printing the email again.

If Windows doesn’t find a newer driver, visit your printer manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your printer model.

Reinstall the Printer Driver

If updating the driver doesn’t help:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Right-click your printer and select Uninstall device.
3. Confirm the removal if prompted.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Windows will automatically reinstall the printer driver. If it doesn’t, install the latest driver downloaded from the printer manufacturer’s website.

Once the driver is installed, open Outlook and check if you can print emails normally.

Fix 7: Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

If Outlook still isn’t printing emails, run the built-in Windows Printer Troubleshooter. It can automatically detect and fix common problems with your printer, print queue, and printing services.

1. Open Settings and select System.
2. Click Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Find the printer and click Run.
4. Select the printer that’s having problems and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Apply any recommended fixes, then restart your PC if prompted.

Once the troubleshooter finishes, open the Outlook app and try printing the email again.

Fix 8: Reset the Outlook App

If Outlook still won’t print emails, resetting the app may resolve problems caused by corrupted app data or incorrect settings. This reinstalls the app’s components without requiring you to uninstall it manually.

1. Open Settings and select Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find Outlook in the list and click the three-dot menu next to it.
3. Select Advanced options.
4. Click Repair first and wait for Windows to complete the process.
5. If the problem persists, return to Advanced options and click Reset.
6. Reopen the Outlook app and try printing your email again.

Note: Resetting the Outlook app restores it to its default settings. Depending on your account type, you may need to sign in again after the reset.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the solutions above and Outlook still won’t print emails, the problem may be related to your printer hardware, Windows installation, or a software issue that requires further diagnosis.

Consider seeking professional assistance if:

• Your printer doesn’t print from any application, not just Outlook.
• Windows doesn’t detect your printer or repeatedly shows it as offline.
• You continue to receive printing errors after updating the Outlook app and printer driver.
• The printer frequently disconnects or displays hardware-related error messages.
• You’re using a work or school account where printing is restricted by your organization’s IT policies.

If possible, test the printer with another Windows 11 PC. This can help determine whether the problem is with your computer or the printer itself.

Summary

Outlook printing problems in Windows 11 are usually caused by temporary app glitches, incorrect printer settings, outdated printer drivers, or issues with Windows printing services. In most cases, you can resolve the problem by checking your printer, updating the Outlook app, restarting the Print Spooler service, or reinstalling the printer driver.

Work through each solution in the order presented until Outlook prints your emails normally. If none of the fixes work, the problem may be related to your printer hardware or Windows installation and may require further troubleshooting or professional assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)