Sharp Printer Connected But Not Printing? Fix It Fast (2026)

Is your Sharp printer connected but not printing? Your computer detects the printer, it appears online, and there are no obvious error messages—but when you send a document, nothing happens. The print job may stay in the queue, disappear without printing, or the printer may remain idle.

This is a common issue with Sharp laser and multifunction printers. In most cases, it’s caused by print queue problems, outdated drivers, incorrect printer settings, network communication issues, or the Windows Print Spooler service.

The good news is that you can usually fix the problem in just a few minutes without replacing the printer.

This guide explains 11 proven solutions to get your Sharp printer printing again.

Common Symptoms

You may notice:

• Printer appears Ready
• Printer shows Online
• Print jobs remain queued
• Nothing prints
• Documents disappear from the queue
• Printer remains idle
• Windows detects the printer correctly
• Test page fails to print
• Scanner works but printing does not

Fix 1: Restart the Printer and Computer

Temporary communication errors are often resolved with a simple restart.

Steps:

1. Turn off the Sharp printer.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Wait one minute.
4. Turn the printer back on.
5. Print a test page.

Fix 2: Clear the Print Queue

A stuck print job can block every document behind it.

To clear the queue:

1. Open Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your Sharp printer.
3. Open the print queue.
4. Cancel all pending jobs.
5. Restart the printer.

Then try printing again.

Related guide:

clear a stuck Sharp printer print queue

Fix 3: Set the Sharp Printer as the Default Printer

Windows may send print jobs to another printer.

To check:

1. Open Printers & Scanners.
2. Select the Sharp printer.
3. Click Set as Default.

Print another document to confirm the fix.

Fix 4: Check Printer Status

Make sure the printer is not set to:

• Use Printer Offline
• Pause Printing

Disable both options if they are enabled.

Related guide:

fixing Sharp printer offline connection issues

Fix 5: Restart the Print Spooler

The Windows Print Spooler manages all print jobs.

To restart it:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type services.msc.
3. Locate Print Spooler.
4. Right-click it.
5. Select Restart.

Try printing again after restarting the service.

Fix 6: Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

Corrupted drivers frequently prevent printing.

Download the latest Sharp printer driver.

Then:

• Remove the existing driver.
• Restart the computer.
• Install the latest version.
• Add the printer again.

Related guide:

resolving Sharp printer driver problems

Fix 7: Check the USB or Network Connection

For USB printers:

• Try another USB port.
• Replace the USB cable.
• Avoid using USB hubs.

For wireless printers:

• Verify the printer is connected to WiFi.
• Confirm the computer is on the same network.
• Restart the router if needed.

Related guide:

Sharp printer wireless setup steps

Fix 8: Print an Internal Test Page

Print the printer’s built-in configuration page.

If the printer can print internal pages but not documents from your computer, the issue is likely related to the driver or operating system.

Fix 9: Install Windows Updates

Outdated Windows components can affect printer communication.

Install all available Windows updates, restart your computer, and test printing again.

Fix 10: Update Printer Firmware

Firmware updates improve:

• Printer communication
• Driver compatibility
• Print reliability
• Network stability

Install the latest firmware for your Sharp printer model.

Fix 11: Remove and Reinstall the Printer

If nothing else works:

1. Remove the Sharp printer from Windows.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Install the latest driver.
4. Add the printer again.
5. Print a test page.

A fresh installation often resolves persistent communication problems.

How to Prevent Connected but Not Printing Problems

Keep Printer Drivers Updated

Install the latest Sharp drivers to improve compatibility and stability.

Clear Failed Print Jobs

Remove stuck documents before they block future print jobs.

Use a Stable Network Connection

Reliable WiFi or a quality USB cable helps prevent communication failures.

Update Firmware Regularly

Firmware updates resolve software bugs and improve printer performance.

Restart the Printer Occasionally

Restarting clears temporary memory and communication errors.

Set the Correct Default Printer

Verify Windows is always sending jobs to your Sharp printer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Sharp printer connected but not printing?

The most common causes are a stuck print queue, outdated drivers, Print Spooler problems, or incorrect printer settings.

Why do my print jobs disappear without printing?

Corrupted print jobs or Print Spooler errors often cause documents to disappear from the queue.

Can WiFi issues cause this problem?

Yes. Weak wireless signals or network interruptions may prevent print jobs from reaching the printer.

Should I reinstall the printer?

Yes. Removing and reinstalling the printer often fixes persistent communication and driver problems.

Can outdated firmware stop printing?

Yes. Older firmware may cause communication issues, especially after Windows updates.

Related Guides

Continue troubleshooting with these Sharp printer resources:

• Sharp Printer Not Printing
• Sharp Printer Offline
• Sharp Printer Driver Unavailable
• Sharp Printer WiFi Setup
• Sharp Printer in Error State
• Sharp Printer Print Queue Stuck
• Sharp Printer Slow Printing

Final Thoughts

A Sharp printer connected but not printing is usually caused by print queue issues, outdated drivers, incorrect printer settings, or communication problems rather than a hardware failure. By clearing the print queue, restarting the Print Spooler, verifying the default printer, updating drivers and firmware, and reconnecting the printer, you can resolve most printing issues quickly.

If your Sharp printer still won’t print after following these steps, continue with the related Sharp printer guides above for detailed help with resolving Sharp printer offline issues, WiFi setup, driver issues, print queues, and common Sharp printer printing problems. Regular maintenance and up-to-date software will help ensure reliable, uninterrupted printing.