How to Clear Print Queue on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Printers are amazing… until they aren’t. You send a document to print, and nothing happens. Frustrating, right? One of the most common reasons is a stuck print queue. Don’t worry—Windows 11 makes it easy to clear the print queue and get your printer working again.

In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to clear print queue on Windows 11 using multiple methods, plus some handy tips to prevent it from happening again.

Why Does a Print Queue Get Stuck?

Before fixing the issue, let’s understand why it happens:

Corrupted print jobs – A document might get corrupted during sending.
Printer driver issues – Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause queue errors.
Network problems – Wireless printers may lose connection mid-job.
Printer spooler service glitches – Windows’ print spooler sometimes crashes.

Knowing the cause helps prevent future problems.

Method 1: Clear Print Queue from Settings

The easiest way is directly through Windows 11 settings.

Step 1: Open Settings

Press Win + I → Devices & Printers (or Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners).

Step 2: Select Your Printer

Click on your printer from the list.

Step 3: Open Print Queue

Click Open print queue.

Step 4: Cancel All Documents

Right-click any document → Cancel.
Or click Printer → Cancel All Documents.

Your print queue should now be empty.

Method 2: Restart the Print Spooler Service

If the print queue won’t clear normally, restarting the print spooler usually works.

Step 1: Open Services

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2: Find Print Spooler

Scroll down → Find Print Spooler → Right-click → Restart.

Step 3: Check Print Queue

Go back to Printers & Scanners → Open Print Queue.
The stuck jobs should be gone.

Method 3: Use Command Prompt to Clear Print Queue

For advanced users, the Command Prompt is quick.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Admin

Press Win + X → Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 2: Stop the Print Spooler

Step 3: Delete Print Jobs

Step 4: Restart the Print Spooler

Your queue should now be cleared.

Method 4: Remove Printer and Reinstall

If the print queue keeps getting stuck, reinstalling the printer can help.

Step 1: Open Printers & Scanners

Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.

Step 2: Remove Printer

Click your printer → Remove Device.

Step 3: Reinstall Printer

Click Add Device → Follow on-screen instructions.

This often fixes driver-related issues.

Tips to Prevent Stuck Print Queues

Update printer drivers regularly – Check the manufacturer’s website.
Use wired connections – Wi-Fi is convenient but less stable.
Avoid large print jobs at once – Split large PDFs into smaller batches.
Restart print spooler occasionally – Keeps the service fresh.

How to Cancel a Single Stuck Print Job

Sometimes you don’t want to cancel everything:

Open Printers & Scanners → Open print queue.
Right-click the specific document → Cancel.
Wait a few seconds for Windows to remove it from the queue.

What If Nothing Works?

If your print queue still won’t clear:

Restart your PC.
Update Windows 11 to the latest version.
Check the printer’s own software or app for stuck jobs.
Contact manufacturer support if persistent.

Quick Keyboard Shortcut for Print Queue

Press Win + R, type control printers, and press Enter.
This opens Devices and Printers where you can quickly manage queues.

Benefits of Clearing Print Queue Properly

Saves time – Avoids repeatedly sending the same document.
Reduces frustration – No more blinking printer lights.
Improves printer performance – A clean queue keeps your printer running smoothly.

Conclusion

Clearing the print queue on Windows 11 is usually straightforward. Whether you use Settings, Command Prompt, or restart the print spooler, you can quickly fix stuck jobs and get back to printing.

Keeping your printer drivers updated and managing print jobs carefully can prevent future issues. With these steps, stuck print queues will no longer ruin your productivity.

FAQs

1. How do I clear a stuck print queue quickly?
Use the print spooler restart method or the Command Prompt commands for immediate results.

2. Will clearing the print queue delete my printer?
No, clearing the queue only removes pending jobs, not the printer itself.

3. Why do print jobs get stuck on Windows 11?
Common causes include corrupted files, driver issues, or print spooler service glitches.

4. Can I clear the print queue without restarting my PC?
Yes, using the spooler restart or cancelling jobs from the print queue works without rebooting.

5. Does clearing the print queue affect other devices on the network printer?
No, clearing your local print queue only affects your device, not other network users.