Sometimes, your printer may only print the first page of a document and then stop, which can be frustrating. This issue is common among Windows 11 users and usually has straightforward fixes. Understanding why this happens can help you solve it quickly.
In this guide, we will walk you through simple, step-by-step instructions to get your printer printing all pages again. No technical jargon—just clear and easy-to-follow steps.
Whether you are printing an important report or multiple pages of a document, these solutions will help ensure your printer works as expected.
Let’s start by checking a few quick things before diving into troubleshooting.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks
- Make sure your printer is properly connected to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi.
- Check that there is enough paper loaded in the printer tray.
- Ensure your ink or toner cartridges are not empty and are installed correctly.
- Restart both your printer and your Windows 11 PC to refresh system connections.
These simple checks can often solve the problem without any further steps.
Step 1: Check the Print Settings
Sometimes, the print settings are set to print only one page by mistake. Here is how to verify and adjust this:
- Open the document or file you want to print.
- Press Ctrl + P or click File > Print to open the print dialog.
- Look for the Pages or Print Range section.
- Make sure it is set to All Pages or the correct page range you want to print.
- If it says Page 1 or a single page number, change it to print all pages.
- Click Print and check if all pages are printed.
Why this matters: Sometimes, users or applications accidentally select only one page to print, so verifying this setting is the quickest fix.
Step 2: Clear the Print Queue
A stuck print job can cause the printer to stop after one page. Clearing the print queue can help:
- Click the Start button and select Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners.
- Select your printer from the list.
- Click Open print queue.
- In the print queue window, right-click any pending documents and select Cancel.
- Once the queue is empty, try printing your document again.
Why this matters: Sometimes print jobs get stuck and block new jobs from printing completely.
Step 3: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause printing issues. Updating or reinstalling them often resolves problems:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Printers section.
- Right-click your printer and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers and follow prompts if updates are found.
- If no update is available or this doesn’t fix the issue, right-click the printer again and choose Uninstall device.
- After uninstalling, restart your PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.
Why this matters: Printer drivers communicate between your PC and printer. If drivers are faulty, printing might not function correctly.
Step 4: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and fix common printer problems:
- Open Settings and go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Printer in the list and click Run next to it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to let Windows diagnose and fix issues.
Why this matters: The troubleshooter automates many checks and repairs that might be too technical to do manually.
Step 5: Check for Windows Updates
Sometimes Windows updates include fixes for hardware issues, including printers:
- Go to Settings > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If updates are available, download and install them.
- Restart your PC after installing updates and try printing again.
Why this matters: Keeping your system updated ensures compatibility with devices like printers.
Alternative Method: Use a Different Application or File Format
If your printer still only prints one page, try printing the document from another application or save the file in a different format (e.g., PDF) and print that version. Sometimes, the issue can be specific to the software or file type.
FAQs
Why does my printer stop after printing only the first page?
This can happen due to incorrect print settings, stuck print jobs, outdated drivers, or communication errors between your PC and printer.
How do I know if my printer driver is outdated?
You can check for driver updates in Device Manager or on the printer manufacturer’s website. Windows Update may also provide new drivers.
Can a low ink or toner level cause this problem?
Yes, some printers stop printing if ink or toner is too low, especially if the cartridge is empty or not recognized.
Is restarting the printer helpful?
Yes, restarting your printer can reset its internal memory and clear errors that cause printing to stop prematurely.
What if the printer prints only one page from one computer but works fine on another?
This indicates the issue is with the computer’s settings or drivers rather than the printer hardware itself.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the above steps and your printer still only prints one page, consider the following:
- Consult the official support website of your printer’s manufacturer for model-specific troubleshooting guides.
- Contact customer support for professional assistance.
- Check if your printer firmware needs updating via the manufacturer’s tools.
- Try connecting the printer to a different PC to isolate if the issue is with the printer or your system.
Persistent hardware faults might require professional repair or replacement.
Conclusion
Printer issues like only printing one page can be frustrating but are often easy to fix. Start by checking your print settings and clearing the print queue. Updating drivers and running the Windows troubleshooter can resolve most underlying problems. Keeping your system and printer software up to date helps prevent future issues.
By following these simple steps, you can usually get your printer back to printing all pages correctly without needing advanced technical help.