It’s a frustrating experience: you need to print an important document, but you find your Epson printer not printing after update once again.
This is a surprisingly common issue (and also repetitive) that can bring your workflow to a halt.
The good news is that in most cases, you can resolve this problem with a few troubleshooting steps.
Whether it’s a driver conflict, a communication error, or a simple settings issue, this guide will walk you through the solutions to get your printer back online.
Epson Printer Not Printing After Update Article In Short: If your Epson printer stopped working after a recent update, the issue is likely due to a driver or software conflict.
This article provides a comprehensive guide for Windows and macOS users to diagnose and fix the problem.
We cover everything from basic checks like restarting your devices and checking connections to more advanced solutions like updating drivers, clearing the print spooler, and addressing firmware issues.
By following these steps, you can resolve the “Epson printer not printing after update” issue and get back to your tasks.
Common Causes: Epson Printer Not Printing After Update
An update to your operating system, whether it’s Windows or macOS, can sometimes disrupt the connection and communication with your Epson printer.
This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you have urgent documents to print.
Understanding the common causes can help you diagnose the problem more effectively.
In many situations, the issue is not with the printer itself but with the software that connects it to your computer.
1. Driver Issues Causing the Epson Printer Not Printing After Update Problem
One of the most frequent reasons for an Epson printer not printing after an update is an outdated or incompatible printer driver.
A printer driver is a piece of software that translates the data from your computer into a format that your printer can understand.
When you update your operating system, the existing driver may no longer be compatible, leading to communication errors.
As a result, your computer may not be able to send print jobs to the printer correctly.
For example, Microsoft has acknowledged that certain Windows updates can cause printing problems, and they often release fixes to address these issues.
You can check for the latest updates on the official Microsoft Support website to see if a patch is available for your version of Windows.
2. Print Spooler Errors and the Epson Printer Not Printing After Update Issue
The Print Spooler is a service on your computer that manages the print jobs in a queue.
If this service encounters an error or stops running, it can prevent your printer from receiving new print jobs.
An operating system update can sometimes interfere with the Print Spooler, causing it to crash or become unresponsive.
Because of this, even if your printer is connected and powered on, it won’t print anything.
3. Incorrect Printer Port or Network Settings
An update can also reset or alter your printer’s port or network settings.
For a USB-connected printer, the update might have changed the port assignment.
For a wireless printer, the network settings could have been altered, causing the printer to lose its connection to your Wi-Fi network.
In this case, your computer will not be able to find the printer on the network, and you will have an “Epson printer not printing after update” error.
4. Firmware Update Conflicts
In some cases, the issue may not be with your computer’s operating system but with the printer’s firmware.
Printer manufacturers like Epson occasionally release firmware updates to improve performance and add new features.
However, a recent firmware update could have introduced a bug or a conflict with your system, especially if it was installed around the same time as a major OS update.
Epson provides resources and support for such issues on their official support page.
Advanced Troubleshooting: Epson Printer Not Printing After Update
If the basic checks don’t resolve the issue, it’s time to move on to more advanced troubleshooting steps.
These methods involve more technical procedures, but they are often necessary to fix the underlying problem.
Remember to follow the steps carefully and test your printer after each one.
1. Manually Reinstalling the Printer Driver
Even if you think your driver is up to date, a clean reinstallation can often resolve hidden conflicts.
This process involves completely removing the old driver and then installing the latest version from Epson’s official website.
A simple driver update can sometimes leave behind corrupted files or conflicting registry entries.
A clean reinstall, on the other hand, ensures that every component of the old driver is removed before the new one is installed, which can resolve stubborn communication issues.
For a truly thorough removal, you can even use the Print Server Properties dialog in Windows to remove the driver package itself, ensuring no residual files are left to cause problems.
- Uninstall the existing driver:
- Windows: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select your Epson printer and click Remove device. Then, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features and uninstall any Epson printer software.
- macOS: Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners. Select your Epson printer and click the – (minus) button to remove it.
- Download the latest driver: Visit the Epson support page and search for your printer model. Download the latest driver for your operating system.
- Install the new driver: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Restart your computer after the installation is complete.
2. Resetting the Print Spooler and Clearing the Print Queue
If a stuck print job is causing the problem, clearing the print queue and restarting the Print Spooler service can help.
This process will remove all pending print jobs and reset the printing system.
The Print Spooler service can sometimes fail due to a single corrupted print job file, which then prevents any other jobs from being processed.
By manually clearing the C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS folder, you are deleting these corrupted files and giving the spooler a fresh start.
This is often a much more effective solution than simply canceling the print job from the queue, which may not always work if the spooler service is unresponsive.
- Stop the Print Spooler service:
- Windows: Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find the Print Spooler service, right-click it, and select Stop.
- Clear the print queue:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to:
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
Delete all files in this folder.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to:
- Start the Print Spooler service:
- Go back to the Services window, right-click the Print Spooler service, and select Start.
For a visual guide on how to perform these steps and other more advanced yet highly related fixes, you can watch this really helpful video on clearing print queues and restarting the spooler that also contains some great information on the process (and is also embedded below hopefully!)
(Leo Notenboom actually worked at Microsoft for years – so if anybody knows how to fix a stubborn operating system and get you back to printing its him!)
3. Checking and Configuring Printer Port Settings
If your printer is connected via USB, ensuring it is assigned to the correct port is crucial.
An update can sometimes create a new port or switch the existing one, leading to a communication breakdown.
You may see different types of ports in the printer properties, such as USB, WSD, or TCP/IP.
WSD (Web Services for Devices) ports are often created automatically by Windows, but they can sometimes be less reliable than a standard TCP/IP port for network printers.
If you are using a network printer and experiencing frequent offline issues, manually creating a TCP/IP port with the printer’s IP address can provide a more stable and reliable connection.
- Open Printer Properties:
- Windows: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select your Epson printer and click Printer properties.
- Check the Port:
- Go to the Ports tab. Look for the port with your printer’s name or a USB port. If you see multiple USB ports, you may need to try each one to find the correct one. Make sure the checkbox next to the correct port is selected.
4. Addressing Firmware-Related Issues
If you suspect a recent firmware update is the culprit, you may need to check for a newer version or, in rare cases, consider rolling back to a previous version.
However, rolling back firmware can be risky and should only be done as a last resort, as an incorrect procedure can ‘brick’ your printer, rendering it unusable.
Before attempting any firmware changes, it’s crucial to check your current firmware version (usually found in the printer’s settings menu) and then visit the official Epson support page for your model to see if there are any new updates or specific instructions.
Never download firmware from unofficial sources, as this can introduce security risks and may not be compatible with your printer.
Final Thoughts On Epson Printer Not Printing After Update
Experiencing an Epson printer not printing after an update can be a significant inconvenience, but it is usually a solvable problem.
By systematically working through the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can identify and resolve the root cause of the issue.
In most cases, the problem lies with driver conflicts, print spooler errors, or incorrect settings, all of which can be fixed with a bit of patience and attention to detail.
To prevent this issue from recurring, it is a good practice to check for the latest printer drivers from Epson’s official website before applying major operating system updates.
Additionally, making sure your printer’s firmware is up to date can help ensure smooth and reliable operation.
If you continue to experience problems where an Epson printer is not printing after update, don’t hesitate to reach out to Epson’s official support for further assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did my Epson printer stop printing after a Windows update?
A Windows update can sometimes cause your Epson printer to stop printing due to driver incompatibility.
The update may replace or corrupt the existing printer driver, leading to a communication failure between your computer and the printer.
In other cases, the update can alter network or port settings, which also disrupts the connection.
How do I know if my printer driver is the problem?
If your printer stopped working immediately after an operating system update, a driver issue is a likely cause.
You can check for driver problems by going to the Device Manager in Windows.
Look for your printer under the “Printers” or “Print queues” section.
If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to it, it indicates a driver problem.
Can a firmware update cause my Epson printer to stop working?
Yes, a firmware update can occasionally cause issues.
While firmware updates are intended to improve performance, they can sometimes introduce bugs or conflicts with your computer’s operating system.
If you recently updated your printer’s firmware and are now experiencing problems, it is best to check Epson’s official support website for any new updates or troubleshooting guides.
What is the print spooler and how does it affect printing?
The print spooler is a service on your computer that manages print jobs.
It takes the print jobs from your applications, stores them in a queue, and sends them to the printer one by one.
If the print spooler service crashes or hangs, it will prevent any new print jobs from being sent to the printer, even if the printer is properly connected.
How To Reinstall An Epson Printer Driver In Windows
A clean driver reinstallation is a powerful way to fix printing problems after an update.
This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Total Time: Approximately 15 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- Your Epson Printer
- A computer running Windows
- An internet connection to download the driver
Steps:
Step 1: Disconnect the Printer
First, disconnect the USB cable that connects your printer to your computer.
If you are using a wireless printer, you can temporarily disconnect it from your Wi-Fi network through the printer’s control panel.
Step 2: Uninstall Existing Epson Software
Next, you need to remove all existing Epson software from your computer.
Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Scroll through the list to find any software related to your Epson printer, select it, and click Uninstall.
Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the removal.
Step 3: Remove the Printer from Your Devices
Now, you will remove the printer from your list of installed devices.
Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Find your Epson printer in the list, click on it, and then select Remove device.
Confirm the action when prompted.
Step 4: Download the Latest Driver
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Epson support website.
Use the search bar to find your specific printer model.
On the product page, go to the Downloads section and download the latest driver and software package for your version of Windows.
Step 5: Install the New Driver
Once the download is complete, run the installer file.
The installation wizard will guide you through the process.
It is important that you do not reconnect the printer to your computer until the installer specifically prompts you to do so.
Step 6: Reconnect and Test Your Printer
After the installation is finished, the wizard will instruct you to reconnect your printer.
Plug the USB cable back in or reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.
Your computer should now recognize the printer with the newly installed driver.
To confirm that the problem is solved, print a test page.
Finally be sure to check out our Tech Troubleshooting FAQ or our Printer Troubleshooting Tips pages for even more general tips that cover a wide range of technical problems and solutions.
(If after reading the above article you still have an “Epson Printer Not Printing After Update” problem, then you might find a much less obvious solution on the above tech pages!)