Lexmark Printer Not Printing — Step-by-Step Fix
By Ryan Green · Updated July 2026 · Independent guide · PrinterCare USA LLC (not affiliated with any printer manufacturer)
It's frustrating when your Lexmark printer accepts the job but nothing comes out the other end. You see the document queued on your screen, but the paper tray stays silent. This specific issue typically means your computer and printer aren't communicating properly, even though they're technically connected.
The good news is that most of these problems don't require a service call. We'll walk through the exact steps our shop uses to diagnose and fix this issue, starting with the quickest solutions first.
How to fix it — step by step
- Set Printer to Online Mode. On Windows 11, open Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, find your Lexmark printer, and click it. Check if it shows "Offline" or "Use Printer Offline"—if so, click the printer and select "Resume." On macOS, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your Lexmark, and verify the status shows "Ready" not "Paused."
- Clear the Print Queue (Windows). Press Windows Key + R, type "services.msc" and hit Enter. Scroll to "Print Spooler," right-click it, and select "Restart." This clears stuck jobs. Alternatively, open Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, click your Lexmark printer, select "Open queue," and delete any jobs shown there.
- Clear the Print Queue (macOS). Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your Lexmark, and click "Open Print Queue." Delete any jobs listed. Then restart the print subsystem by opening Terminal and typing: sudo launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd, wait 5 seconds, then type: sudo launchctl start org.cups.cupsd.
- Power Cycle Both Devices. Turn off your Lexmark printer completely and unplug it from the power outlet for 30 seconds. While waiting, restart your computer. Plug the printer back in and power it on. Wait for all lights to stabilize before attempting to print. This resets the communication between devices.
- Reinstall or Update Printer Drivers. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, right-click your Lexmark printer, select "Remove device," then restart your computer. Windows will auto-detect and reinstall the driver. On macOS, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, remove the printer, then re-add it by clicking the plus icon and selecting your Lexmark from the list.
- Check USB or Network Connection. For USB printers, try a different USB port on your computer (avoid hubs; use direct ports). For network printers, open your Lexmark printer's web interface by typing its IP address into a browser and verify it's connected to your network. Restart the printer's network connection through its menu settings.
- Review Printer Settings and Paper Path. Check that the paper tray is fully inserted, loaded with the correct paper size, and that no error lights are showing on the printer panel. Open the printer's menu (via its touchscreen or buttons) and look for any "Tray Empty" or "Door Open" errors. Clear any paper jams inside the access panels.
- Test with Print Diagnostic Page. On the Lexmark printer itself, navigate to Settings or Menu, find "Print Configuration" or "Reports," and select "Print Configuration Page" or "Information Page." If this prints successfully, the printer hardware works—meaning the issue is software communication. If it doesn't print, the printer may need service.
Still stuck? A technician can fix it remotely today.
Independent remote support — you watch every step, and you pay the flat $49 only after your printer is working. $0 if we can't fix it.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Lexmark printer show 'online' but still won't print?
Even when showing online status, a corrupted print queue or outdated driver can prevent communication. The print spooler service may be stuck in a loop without actually sending data to the printer. This is why clearing the queue and restarting the spooler resolves most of these cases.
Will resetting my printer erase my saved Wi-Fi network?
A simple power cycle (turning it off and on) will not erase your Wi-Fi settings. However, a full factory reset through the printer's menu will erase everything.
How do I know if this is a hardware problem vs. a software problem?
Print the printer's configuration page directly from the printer's menu panel—if it prints, the hardware is fine and you have a communication issue. If nothing prints even from the printer's own menu, and you see error codes on the display, then hardware service may be needed. Most cases at this stage are actually still fixable through driver updates.
What if I've done all these steps and it still won't print?
At this point, you may have a hardware issue like a failed print controller or network card. Contact a local printer repair shop for a hands-on diagnosis (typically $49–$75), or if your Lexmark is under warranty, contact the manufacturer's support line. Before you do, verify the printer model and provide them with the error codes showing on the printer's display panel.