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FIX: Printer takes a long time to print on Windows

Make sure that the Word printer settings are in order

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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We print various documents all the time, but some users reported that theirprinteris slow to startprintingor that the printing process takes forever.

While sometimes the problem could be caused by your network (especially if you’re using a network printer), the print spooler or printer drivers might also be responsible for the issue.

Whatever the cause, the situation is not only annoying but will also slow down your workflow. So, let’s see how to solve this problem.

How can I improveprinting time on Windows 10?

1. Update your printer driver

1.1 Update the driver manually

If yourprinteris slow to startprinting, the problem might be yourdriver. If it’s corrupted or out of date, not just this error but many other problems can arise.

However, you can easily fix the problem by updating your printer driver.

You can also visit your printer manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your model. In order to do so, you’ll need to know the model of yourprinterand where exactly to look for the driver.

1.2 Update the driver automatically

If this process seems a bit complicated, you can always use third-party tools such as the one recommended below to automatically update all outdated drivers with just a couple of clicks.

Download the tool using the button below, allow it to scan your device, and check the recommended actions. You can update drivers either all at once or take them one by one.

Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Reinstall the printer driver

If Windows manages to find a suitable driver for yourprinter, check if the problem is still there.

If the driver isn’t found, you’ll have to manually install it. To see how to do that, check the following solution.

3. Assign a new IP address to your printer

If you’re using a network printer, sometimes yourprinteris slow to start printing due to itsIP address.

Apparently, there can be an issue with your IP address that can lead to this problem. What you need to do, is to assign a new IP address to your network printer and the problem should be resolved.

This can be a slightly advanced procedure, so if you don’t know how to do it properly, we suggest that you look for an online guide.

Once you change the IP address of yourprinter, the problem will be permanently resolved.

Keep in mind that this solution works only for network printers, so if you’re not using yourprinteras a network device, then this solution doesn’t apply to you.

4. Set the printer pointing to the port

This solution is intended for network printers, so if you’re not sharing yourprinterwith a local network, this solution won’t apply to you.

Basically, if yourprinteris slow to startprinting, the issue might be because yourprinteris mapped across the server.

To fix that, you just need to add aprinteras a localprinterand point it to the port and the issue should be resolved.

This might be a bit advanced solution, and if you don’t know how to perform it, contact your network administrator.

5. Stop the Print Spooler service and clear the printers directory

After doing that, check if the printing problem is still there. If not, proceed to the next solution.

6. Remove the WSD port and switch to the TCP/IP

Sometimes yourprinteris slow to start printing because it’s using a WSD port. Bear in mind that this issue only affects network printers, so if yourprinterisn’t shared with the network, then this solution won’t work for you.

If you’re using a network printer, remove the WSD port and switch to the TCP/IP and the problem should be resolved.

7. Change the printing settings in Word

After doing that, save changes and check if the problem is resolved. The solution applies only if printing time takes longer than it should when trying to print in Word.

8. Disconnect your printer

If theprinteris slow to startprinting, it’s likely that the issue is also related to certain printer glitches.

For a start, disconnect yourprinterentirely. Also, disconnect theUSB cableand wait for a few minutes.

Then, press and hold the power button for about 30 seconds or more to remove any additional charge. Connect theprinterto your PC once again, and power it on.

Once your printer powers up, check if the problem is still there. This is a generic solution, but if you have any glitches with yourprinter, it might help you out, so feel free to try it.

As mentioned, printerproblems can seriously impact your work. So, if yourprinteris slow to startprinting, be sure to try any of the solutions listed in this article.

If you’ve already tried another solution, we’d be glad to hear about it so use the comments section below.

FIX: Printer takes a long time to print on Windows#

How can I improveprinting time on Windows 10?#

1. Update your printer driver#

Outbyte Driver Updater#

2. Reinstall the printer driver#

3. Assign a new IP address to your printer#

4. Set the printer pointing to the port#

5. Stop the Print Spooler service and clear the printers directory#

6. Remove the WSD port and switch to the TCP/IP#

7. Change the printing settings in Word#

8. Disconnect your printer#