Printer problems are one of the most frustrating issues that computer users face. This article will discuss what to do if you encounter a printing problem. These four steps are for intermediate to advanced computer users.

You can cancel a print job by using Methods A through C.

You can delete a print job from the queue by going to MethodD.

Solutions

Method A: Use the cancel menu command or press the cancel button on the printer

The easiest way to cancel a print job is to locate a cancel button on your printer or use the cancel menu command. If you don’t have this option, this is the first time.

This article is finished if you find the above method to be effective. To avoid future problems, however, you might want to check out the “Prevention tips” section.

These items may not be available in your printer’s stock, or you have tried this method unsuccessfully.

Method B: Turn off the printer and turn it on again

Next, turn the printer off and on again. This will cancel the print job for some printer models.

This article is finished if you find the above method to be effective. To avoid future problems, however, you might want to check out the “Prevention tips” section.

If you are unsatisfied with this method, please turn off your printer and try Method C.

Method C: Use Control Panel to cancel printing

This is a more complicated method. To cancel printing, we will use Control Panel.

What are you trying to accomplish? Can you cancel only one document or multiple print jobs? Are you trying to balance printing only one Copy or all print jobs? You must be Computer Administrator to cancel any documents sent by others to the printer. Computer Administrator status is required if you use your printer. You should ask the system administrator to cancel a print job if you are printing to a shared printer.

These steps will allow you to cancel one or more print jobs.

1. Click Start and then click Go.
2. Type control printers in the Open text box and click OK.
3. Click the right-click icon to open it in your browser. Open.

• To cancel individual print jobs, click right-click on the job you wish to cancel and then click Cancel.
• Click Cancel All Print Jobs in the Printer Menu to cancel all print jobs.

Please note If you cancel an order that you had in mind to print, please send it back to the printer.

This article is finished if you find the above method to be effective. To avoid future problems, however, you might want to check out the “Prevention tips” section.

If you still have trouble with this method, ensure that your printer is off and then use Method D.

Method D: Stop printing the spooler, and delete all spooled documents

Method D is recommended for those who have tried Methods A-C and failed to succeed. We are sorry if you only came to Method D to delete a print job.

Method D is more complicated and will take more effort than the others, but keep going. Method D is more complex than it is.

Here’s a quick explanation of how printing works. The printer receives print jobs as spooled files. The files are placed in temporary locations so the printer can access a print queue. Stopping the spooler with its files will likely cause the printer to cancel printing and delete the print jobs.

Note This method requires you to have Computer Administrator status. Computer Administrator status is needed if you use your printer. You should ask the system administrator to cancel a print job if you are printing to a shared printer.

Step 1: Open a Notepad

We will ask you to create and execute a script file to stop the print spooler. Although it sounds complicated, it is not. These steps are easy to follow.

1. Click Start and then click Go.
2. Type notepad in the Open text box and click OK. You will see a blank Notepad document open.

Step 2: Copy the command script to Notepad

We will now ask you to copy and paste commands into the Notepad document.

1. Select (highlight) the following text carefully:
2. net stop spooler del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.shd del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.spl net start spooler
3. Right-click on the text you have selected and click Copy.
4. Right-click the blank document in Notepad and click Paste.
5. Select (highlight) the following text carefully:
6. C:\DeletePrintJobs.cmd
7. Right-click on the text you have selected and click Copy.
8. Click Save as in Notepad’s File Menu.
9. Right-click in the File name box and click Copy.
10. Note This file name is different from other file names you may have seen. This is because the file is a command-script file.
11. Click Save.

Step 3: Execute the command script file

Once you have created the command file, it is time to run it. You will need to copy the name of your command script file and paste it into the Run area.

1. Select (highlight) the following text carefully:
2. C:\DeletePrintJobs.cmd
3. Right-click on the text you have selected and click Copy.
4. Click Start and then click Go.
5. Right-click in the Open Box and click Copy.
6. Click OK.
7. The Command Prompt window will open to execute the command script file you have created. This window automatically closes when the command script file is finished running. If the Command Prompt window is not visible, save the command file using the correct name. Also, ensure that the Run box contains the right command script name.

Note If this method doesn’t work or you cannot print something after using it, you can restart your computer and try again.

This article is complete if you have successfully used this method. To prevent the same problem from occurring again, however, you might want to check out the “Prevention tips.”

We’re sorry if this doesn’t work. Consider asking someone for assistance or contacting support.