Fixing Printing Issues in Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a powerful tool equipped with numerous features that simplify digital communication. One of its key functionalities is the ability to print emails directly from the application, making it easy to share important information in physical form. Users can easily print emails by selecting them and navigating to File > Print. However, many users encounter printing issues across different versions of Outlook.

Common Printing Issues in Outlook

Users frequently face several printing problems, including:

• “Printer is not available”
• “Printer isn’t ready”
• “Print Pictures Error”
• “Problem with the printer you have selected”
• “Improper email printing”
• “Header details not printed”

These issues can be frustrating, especially when working with tight deadlines. Fortunately, this guide outlines various troubleshooting methods to resolve printing problems in Outlook.

Solutions to Outlook Printing Issues

1. Outlook 2013, 2016, and 2019

Problem: Users may receive errors such as “Printer has not been set” or “Cannot print without selecting an item.” These messages halt the printing process.

Causes: Potential causes include:

• Insufficient printer connection
• Network issues
• Corrupted Outlook files
• Active Add-ins interfering with printing
• Problems with the Print Spooler service

Solutions:

• Renaming OutlPrnt Files:
  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Navigate to “%appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook” to locate the OutlPrnt file.
  3. Rename it to something like OutlPrnt1.
  4. Restart Outlook and check if printing works.
• Verifying Add-Ins:
  1. Go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
  2. Disable suspected Add-ins and restart Outlook.
• Running the Printing Troubleshooting Tool:
  1. Ensure network connections are stable.
  2. Download and install a free printing troubleshooting tool.
  3. Follow the tool’s prompts to resolve the issue.
• Restarting the Print Spooler Service:
  1. Disconnect your printer and restart it.
  2. Access Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners.
  3. Select your printer and set it as the default.
  4. Restart the Print Spooler service from Windows Services.
• Updating the Printer Driver:
  1. Open Device Manager and navigate to Printers.
  2. Select your printer and choose Update Driver.

2. Outlook 2010

Problem: Users often face printing errors or issues with header printing.

Cause: Unorganized headers and improper layout within the email.

Solution: Open the message in a web browser, select View, and print from there.

3. Outlook 2007 and Older Versions

Problem: Emails may not print correctly, and header information could be missing.

Cause: Layout issues and HTML formatting problems in the Internet Explorer browser.

Quick Solutions:

• Open in a Browser: Use the Edit Message option to view the email in a browser and print from there.
• Upgrade Internet Explorer: Ensure you’re using a current version for better compatibility with Outlook.

Summary

Printing issues in Outlook can stem from various causes, but many can be resolved through straightforward troubleshooting methods. If these manual fixes do not work, consider using a dedicated SoftMagnat Outlook PST Repair tool to address potential corruption in the PST file, which could be affecting your ability to print emails properly.

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FAQs

1. Why can’t I print from Outlook?
   • Printing issues can arise due to printer connection problems, corrupted Outlook files, or conflicts with Add-ins.
2. How do I reset the Print Spooler service?
   • You can reset the Print Spooler service by accessing Windows Services, locating the service, and restarting it.
3. What should I do if my printer isn’t listed in Outlook?
   • Ensure that your printer is correctly connected, turned on, and set as the default printer in your system settings.
4. Can I print only selected pages from an email?
   • Outlook’s printing engine may not support page selections. A workaround is to copy the desired text to a Word document and print from there.
5. How can I repair a corrupted PST file?
   • Use the built-in ScanPST tool or a third-party PST Repair tool designed for Outlook to repair corrupted PST files.