Lexmark Printer Not Printing? 15 Proven Fixes That Actually Work (2026)

If your Lexmark printer is not printing, the problem may be caused by something simple such as an offline status, a stuck print queue, a connection issue, incorrect printer selection, or low toner. More difficult cases can involve drivers, paper jams, cartridge recognition, or printer error states.

The good news is that most Lexmark printing problems can be diagnosed without immediately replacing the printer.

This guide walks through 15 proven fixes for a Lexmark printer not printing, starting with the quickest solutions and moving toward more advanced troubleshooting. Whether your Lexmark printer is connected but not printing, showing offline, producing blank pages, or refusing to respond to print commands, these steps can help you identify the cause.

1. Check Whether the Lexmark Printer Is Powered On

Before changing software settings, check the printer itself.

Make sure the power cable is firmly connected and that the printer display or indicator lights are active. If the printer appears completely unresponsive, disconnect the power cable, wait about 30 seconds, and reconnect it.

If the printer starts normally, wait until it finishes its startup process before sending another print job.

Also check for messages such as:

• Ready
• Offline
• Paper Out
• Paper Jam
• Toner Low
• Replace Cartridge
• Service Required
• Door Open

A message on the printer display can immediately reveal why printing is blocked.

2. Make Sure the Printer Has Paper

A Lexmark printer may refuse to print when the selected paper tray is empty or the paper is loaded incorrectly.

Remove the paper and reload it neatly. Make sure the guides are positioned correctly against the paper without squeezing it too tightly.

If your printer has multiple trays, check which tray the print job is configured to use.

Also inspect the tray for:

• Folded paper
• Torn sheets
• Overfilled paper
• Incorrect paper size
• Paper stuck inside the tray

After correcting the paper supply, try printing again.

3. Check the Toner or Ink Cartridge

Low, empty, incorrectly installed, or unrecognized toner can prevent normal printing.

Open the cartridge compartment and check that the toner cartridge is installed correctly. If you recently replaced the cartridge, remove it and reinstall it carefully.

For laser Lexmark printers, gently redistributing toner may temporarily improve light output in some situations, but a cartridge that is empty or defective should be replaced.

If the printer specifically reports a toner recognition problem, follow the troubleshooting steps in Lexmark Printer Toner Not Recognized? Easy Fix Guide.

If the printer is printing completely blank pages, see Lexmark Printer Printing Blank Pages? 11 Fixes That Actually Work.

4. Check the Lexmark Printer Connection

A connection problem is one of the most common reasons a Lexmark printer appears ready but does not print.

For a USB printer, check that the cable is securely connected at both ends. If possible, try another USB port or cable.

For a wireless printer, confirm that:

• WiFi is enabled on the printer.
• The printer is connected to the correct network.
• Your computer is connected to the same network.
• The printer has not recently been moved to another location.
• Your router is working normally.

If your Lexmark printer was recently connected to a new router or WiFi network, you may need to configure the wireless connection again.

For detailed setup instructions, see Lexmark Printer WiFi Setup Guide (Windows, Mac & Mobile).

5. Restart the Printer and Computer

A simple restart can clear temporary communication problems between your operating system and Lexmark printer.

Turn off the printer and wait several seconds. Restart your computer as well.

After the computer starts:

1. Turn the Lexmark printer back on.
2. Wait until it shows that it is ready.
3. Open your document.
4. Select the Lexmark printer.
5. Send a new print job.

This can resolve temporary driver, queue, and connection problems without changing permanent settings.

6. Make Sure the Correct Lexmark Printer Is Selected

If multiple printers have been installed, your computer may be sending the document to the wrong device.

Before printing, open the print dialog and check the selected printer name.

Look for duplicate entries such as:

• Lexmark Printer
• Lexmark Printer Copy 1
• Lexmark Printer Series
• Lexmark Printer Offline
• Microsoft Print to PDF

Select the actual Lexmark printer that is connected and ready.

You should also check your operating system’s printer settings and remove outdated or duplicate printer entries if they are causing confusion.

7. Check If the Lexmark Printer Is Offline

If your Lexmark printer shows an offline status, print jobs may remain pending even though the printer is physically powered on.

Open your computer’s printer settings and check the current status.

If the printer is set to offline, disable the offline setting and allow the operating system to communicate with the printer again.

For a network printer, also verify the printer’s network connection. A printer can appear offline when its IP address changes, when the computer is connected to another network, or when wireless communication is interrupted.

For more detailed troubleshooting, see Lexmark Printer Offline? 10 Fast Fixes to Get It Back Online (2026).

8. Clear the Lexmark Print Queue

A stuck print job can block every document behind it.

If one failed document remains in the queue, newer print jobs may never reach the printer.

Open the printer’s queue and cancel pending or failed documents.

Then wait a few seconds and send a small test document.

If the queue refuses to clear, restarting the print spooler may be necessary.

This is especially useful when the printer:

• Shows Ready but does nothing
• Keeps displaying pending jobs
• Prints an old document repeatedly
• Stops after one failed print job
• Accepts jobs but never starts printing

For dedicated instructions, see Lexmark Printer Print Queue Stuck? Clear Jobs & Fix Spooler.

9. Restart the Print Spooler

The print spooler manages print jobs between your computer and printer. If the spooler becomes stuck, the Lexmark printer may stop responding.

On Windows, open the Services application and locate Print Spooler.

You can restart the service and then try sending the document again.

If restarting the spooler does not work, clearing the stuck print queue and restarting the service again can help.

This is particularly useful when several documents are frozen in the queue and cannot be canceled normally.

10. Check the Lexmark Printer Driver

A damaged, outdated, incompatible, or unavailable printer driver can prevent communication with the printer.

Driver problems can occur after:

• Windows updates
• macOS updates
• Printer software changes
• Replacing a computer
• Changing network configurations
• Removing printer software
• Installing an incorrect driver

If the printer appears in your computer but does not respond to print commands, inspect the installed driver.

Reinstalling the correct Lexmark driver can restore communication.

For detailed troubleshooting, see Lexmark Printer Driver Unavailable? Fix Driver Problems Fast.

After reinstalling a driver, restart the computer and test the printer with a simple document.

11. Check for a Paper Jam

A small piece of paper can prevent a Lexmark printer from printing even when the printer appears ready.

Check the areas where paper travels through the printer, including:

• Input tray
• Output area
• Rear access door
• Duplex unit
• Fuser area
• Internal paper path

Follow the printer’s instructions when opening access panels. Remove paper carefully rather than pulling aggressively, because torn pieces can remain inside the printer.

After removing the jam, close all covers securely and allow the printer to return to Ready status.

For a complete walkthrough, see Lexmark Printer Paper Jam? Step-by-Step Fix Guide.

12. Check for a Lexmark Printer Error State

If the printer display shows an error, printing may be blocked until the underlying issue is resolved.

Common causes include:

• Paper jams
• Open covers
• Empty paper trays
• Toner problems
• Hardware faults
• Communication problems
• Maintenance requirements

Read the exact message displayed by the printer rather than repeatedly sending print jobs.

If the printer remains in an error state after the obvious issue has been corrected, restart it and check the connection with your computer.

For more help, see Lexmark Printer in Error State? Quick Fix Guide.

13. Check Print Settings and Paper Size

Sometimes the printer is working correctly but the document is configured incorrectly.

Check the print dialog for:

• Correct paper size
• Correct paper type
• Correct orientation
• Correct page range
• Correct printer
• Appropriate tray
• Duplex settings
• Color or black-and-white settings

A mismatch between the document and printer settings can cause partial prints, incorrect layouts, or jobs that do not print as expected.

If only part of the document appears, see Lexmark Printer Printing Half Page or Cut Off? Fix Layout Issues.

14. Test With a Different Document

A problem with the original application or document can make it appear that the Lexmark printer itself is broken.

Try printing:

• A simple text document
• A PDF
• A test page
• A different file from another application

If another document prints successfully, the problem may be related to the original file, application, fonts, formatting, or print settings.

If the printer produces strange characters or random symbols instead of normal text, the issue may involve the printer driver or corrupted print data.

In that case, see Lexmark Printer Printing Weird Symbols? Fix Gibberish Output.

15. Run a Printer Test Page

A test page can help separate printer hardware problems from computer or software problems.

If your Lexmark model provides a built-in configuration or test page option, use it to verify basic printing.

If the test page prints successfully

The printer hardware is probably functioning, and the problem may be related to:

• Computer settings
• Driver
• Print queue
• Network connection
• Application
• Document

If the test page does not print

The problem is more likely related to:

• Toner or cartridge
• Paper supply
• Paper jam
• Printer error
• Hardware
• Internal communication

This simple test can significantly narrow down the problem before you spend time reinstalling software.

Lexmark Printer Not Printing Black

If your Lexmark printer prints color but does not print black, or black text appears extremely faint, check the black toner or cartridge first.

Also inspect print settings to make sure black-and-white or grayscale printing is configured correctly.

Other possible causes include:

• Low black toner
• Incorrect cartridge installation
• Toner recognition problems
• Print-quality settings
• Blocked print components
• Driver problems

For a focused solution, read Lexmark Printer Not Printing Black? Easy Fixes That Work (2026).

Lexmark Printer Not Printing Color

If black prints normally but colors are missing, faded, or incorrect, check the color cartridges and print settings.

Make sure color printing has not been disabled in the print dialog.

Also verify that the required color cartridges are installed correctly and that the printer does not report an empty or unrecognized cartridge.

For more targeted troubleshooting, see Lexmark Printer Not Printing Color? Fix Missing or Faded Colors.

Lexmark Printer Printing Blank Pages

Blank pages can indicate a cartridge problem, incorrect installation, depleted toner, print-data issues, or another printing fault.

Start by checking the cartridge and printer status. Then print a test page.

If the test page is also blank, focus on the printer, cartridge, and toner system.

If the test page prints normally but documents are blank, investigate the driver, application, and document settings.

See Lexmark Printer Printing Blank Pages? 11 Fixes That Actually Work for the complete troubleshooting process.

Lexmark Printer Connected But Not Printing

A particularly confusing situation occurs when the Lexmark printer says it is connected, but documents remain in the queue.

In this case, check the following in order:

1. Confirm the printer is Ready.
2. Cancel stuck print jobs.
3. Restart the print spooler.
4. Check the selected printer.
5. Verify the printer IP or network connection.
6. Restart the printer.
7. Reinstall or update the driver.
8. Send a test page.

For a dedicated guide, see Lexmark Printer Connected But Not Printing? Fix It Fast.

What to Do If Your Lexmark Printer Is Still Not Printing

If you have tried all 15 fixes and your Lexmark printer still refuses to print, avoid repeatedly sending print jobs. Multiple failed jobs can make the queue harder to troubleshoot.

Instead, narrow down the problem systematically.

If the printer does not respond at all

Focus on power, hardware, printer errors, paper jams, and toner.

If the printer works from its own control panel but not from your computer

Focus on drivers, printer settings, the print queue, and the connection.

If the printer works from USB but not WiFi

Focus on wireless setup, network configuration, IP address changes, and router connectivity.

If only one computer cannot print

The problem is probably on that computer rather than inside the printer.

If every computer has the same problem

Investigate the printer itself, its network connection, toner, paper path, and error messages.

Quick Lexmark Printer Troubleshooting Checklist

Before contacting technical support, run through this checklist:

• Printer is powered on
• Printer shows Ready status
• Paper is loaded correctly
• No paper jam is present
• Toner or ink is installed correctly
• No cartridge error is displayed
• Printer is connected to the correct network
• Computer is connected to the same network
• Correct printer is selected
• Printer is not set to Offline
• Print queue is clear
• Print Spooler is working
• Correct driver is installed
• Print settings are correct
• Test page has been attempted

These checks cover most common reasons a Lexmark printer stops printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Lexmark printer not printing?

A Lexmark printer may stop printing because it is offline, disconnected, stuck in an error state, out of paper, low on toner, blocked by a paper jam, affected by a stuck print queue, or experiencing a driver problem.

Start with the printer status, paper, toner, connection, and print queue before moving to advanced troubleshooting.

Why does my Lexmark printer say Ready but not print?

A Ready message does not always mean the computer is successfully communicating with the printer. Check the selected printer, print queue, connection, driver, and spooler.

Sending a test page can help determine whether the problem is with the printer or computer.

Why is my Lexmark printer connected but not printing?

A printer can be connected to WiFi or USB while still having a communication problem with the operating system. Clear the print queue, restart the printer and computer, check the driver, and verify that the correct printer is selected.

Why is my Lexmark printer offline?

A Lexmark printer may appear offline because of a lost WiFi connection, changed network, incorrect printer settings, driver problems, or communication issues. Confirm that the printer and computer are connected to the same network.

Why is my Lexmark printer printing blank pages?

Blank pages can be caused by empty or incorrectly installed toner, cartridge problems, print settings, driver issues, or printer hardware problems. Check the cartridge first and then print a test page.

Why is my Lexmark printer printing faded?

Faded printing is commonly associated with low toner, cartridge problems, print-quality settings, or printer maintenance. Check the toner level and cartridge installation before investigating more advanced causes.

For a dedicated solution, read Lexmark Printer Printing Faded or Light? Fix Poor Print Quality.

Why is my Lexmark printer printing only half a page?

Half-page or cut-off printing can be caused by incorrect paper size, document formatting, printer settings, application problems, or driver issues.

Check the paper size and print layout first.

Why is my Lexmark printer printing random symbols?

Random symbols or gibberish output can indicate incorrect or corrupted printer drivers, incompatible print data, or communication problems.

Reinstalling the correct driver and clearing the print queue can often help.

Related Guides

Continue troubleshooting with these Lexmark printer guides:

• Lexmark Printer Offline? 10 Fast Fixes to Get It Back Online (2026)
• Lexmark Printer Not Printing Black? Easy Fixes That Work (2026)
• Lexmark Printer Not Printing Color? Fix Missing or Faded Colors
• Lexmark Printer Printing Blank Pages? 11 Fixes That Actually Work
• Lexmark Printer Not Printing Text Properly? Fix Missing Words & Lines
• Lexmark Printer Driver Unavailable? Fix Driver Problems Fast
• Lexmark Printer WiFi Setup Guide (Windows, Mac & Mobile)
• Lexmark Printer Paper Jam? Step-by-Step Fix Guide
• Lexmark Printer in Error State? Quick Fix Guide
• Lexmark Printer Connected But Not Printing? Fix It Fast
• Lexmark Printer Printing Faded or Light? Fix Poor Print Quality
• Lexmark Printer Printing Half Page or Cut Off? Fix Layout Issues
• Lexmark Printer Printing Weird Symbols? Fix Gibberish Output
• Lexmark Printer Print Queue Stuck? Clear Jobs & Fix Spooler
• Lexmark Printer Printing Slowly? Speed Fix Guide
• Lexmark Printer Alignment Problem? Fix Crooked or Misaligned Prints
• Lexmark Printer Toner Not Recognized? Easy Fix Guide

Final Thoughts

When a Lexmark printer is not printing, the cause is usually easier to identify once you separate printer-side problems from computer-side problems.

Start with the basics: power, paper, toner, printer status, connection, and the selected printer. Then move to the print queue, spooler, drivers, paper jams, and printer error messages.

A test page is one of the most useful final checks because it tells you whether the printer itself can produce a page. If the test page works, focus on the computer, driver, connection, or application. If it fails, focus on the printer, toner, paper path, and hardware.

Following these 15 fixes in order gives you a practical way to diagnose most common Lexmark printer problems before considering more advanced service or replacement.