A stuck print queue can be one of the most frustrating problems when using a printer. Whether you have sent the wrong document, clicked print too many times or your printer is simply not responding, clearing the print queue is often the first step to solving the issue. This article explains how to cancel print jobs on both Windows and Mac devices, what to do if the queue does not clear, and how to prevent future print issues from building up.
What Is the Print Queue
The print queue is a list of documents waiting to be printed. When you send a file to your printer, it enters this queue and waits its turn. If your printer is busy, paused or offline, the documents may build up without printing. At times, a print job can become stuck which causes all following documents to stop as well. This is when cancelling the queue becomes necessary.
Clearing the print queue allows the printer to reset and accept new print jobs without being held up by older or faulty ones.
How to Cancel Print Queue on Windows
If you are using a Windows computer, the process is straightforward. First, go to the Start menu and open the Control Panel. From there select Devices and Printers or simply search for Printers in the taskbar search.
Find your printer in the list, right-click its icon and choose See what’s printing. This opens the print queue window where you will see a list of active and pending documents.
To cancel an individual print job, right-click the specific document and select Cancel. If you want to cancel everything in the queue, click Printer in the top menu then choose Cancel All Documents. You may be asked to confirm the action.
After doing this, wait a few moments for the printer to process the cancellations. In some cases, you might need to restart the printer to fully clear the memory.
How to Cancel Print Queue on Mac
On a Mac, cancelling the print queue is just as easy. Go to System Settings or System Preferences, then click on Printers & Scanners. Select your printer from the list on the left and click Open Print Queue.
This will show all current print jobs. To cancel a single job, click the small X icon next to the document name. If you need to cancel the entire queue, you can cancel each item individually.
If the jobs do not clear right away, try restarting your printer and opening the queue again to check the status.
Using the Printer’s Display Panel
Many modern printers have a built-in display screen with menu options. You can often cancel print jobs directly from the printer without using your computer. Navigate through the menu to find the Job Status or Print Queue section, then select the job and choose Cancel or Stop.
This is especially useful if your printer is printing something you no longer need and you want to stop it mid-job. Cancelling from the device itself often clears the job faster than waiting for a computer command.
What If the Print Queue Will Not Clear
Sometimes the print queue gets stuck and refuses to cancel. In this case, try restarting both your printer and your computer. If that does not work, you may need to manually stop the print spooler service on a Windows computer.
To do this, open the Run command by pressing Windows key + R, type services.msc, then press Enter. In the list of services, find Print Spooler, right-click it and select Stop. Once stopped, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete any files in this folder. Then go back to the Services window and restart the Print Spooler by right-clicking it and selecting Start.
This clears any stuck files and resets the system so you can begin printing again.
Preventing Future Queue Issues
To avoid frequent queue problems, make sure your printer drivers are up to date. Visit the manufacturer’s website to check for updates specific to your model. Always double-check that you are printing the correct document to the correct printer to avoid duplicates or errors.
If your printer supports wireless printing, ensure that it maintains a strong network connection. Weak or interrupted signals can cause jobs to hang in the queue. Printing smaller files or breaking up large print jobs can also reduce the chance of queues becoming stuck.
Final Thoughts
Cancelling the print queue is an essential step when your printer stops responding or starts printing things you no longer need. Whether you are on Windows or macOS, the process is quick and simple once you know where to look. Clearing a stuck job gives your printer a fresh start and prevents unnecessary delays. With a few routine checks and proper settings, you can keep your print queue flowing smoothly and avoid the hassle of repeated interruptions.