5 Ways to Fix Unable to Print From Microsoft Excel on Windows 11

Quick Tips

• Corrupted Excel files, faulty add-ins, and outdated printer drivers are some of the most common causes of this issue.
• Try printing another Excel file to ensure the issue is not limited to a specific spreadsheet.
• You can try running the Microsoft Office repair tool if nothing else works.

Fix 1: Save Your Excel File in XPS Format and Try Again

If Excel can’t respond to print requests, save your file in the XPS format and try again. Several users on Microsoft Community post reported fixing the issue with this simple workaround. So, if you’re in a rush, try this method.

Step 1: Open the Excel file you wish to print and click the File menu at the top left corner.

Step 2: Navigate to the Print tab and use the drop-down menu under Printer to select Microsoft XPS Document Writer. Then, click the Print button.

Step 3: When the Save Print Output As dialog appears, save your Excel file in the XPS format. It should print without issues.

Fix 2: Open Excel in Safe Mode

You can try printing an Excel file in safe mode to see if one of the third-party add-ins is causing the problem. For that, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type excel -safe in the box and press Enter.

Check to see if Excel prints your file in safe mode. If it does, one of the third-party add-ins is to blame. You can disable all add-ins and re-enable them individually to isolate the culprit.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel and go to File > Options.

Step 2: In the Excel Options window, switch to the Add-ins tab from the left column. Select COM Add-ins in the Manage drop-down menu and click the Go button.

Step 3: Uncheck all the Add-ins and click OK.

After this, restart Excel and enable your add-ins one at a time. Print a test page after enabling each add-in to identify the one causing the issue.

Fix 3: Update Printer Driver

Issues with your printer driver can affect Excel’s ability to print spreadsheets and lead to problems. To avoid this, you should ensure that your printer driver is up to date and functioning properly.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Device Manager from the menu that appears.

Step 2: Double-click on Print queues to expand it. Right-click on your printer and select Update driver.

Follow the on-screen prompts to finish updating the printer drivers. After that, try printing your file again.

Fix 4: Remove and Reinstall Your Printer

If Microsoft Excel still can’t print, try removing your printer and re-adding it on Windows. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar and go to Printers & scanners.

Step 3: Select your printer from the list.

Step 4: Click the Remove button at the top to delete your printer.

Step 5: After that, return to the Printers & scanners menu and click on Add device. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to add your printer again.

Fix 5: Repair Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office offers a handy repair tool for any issues with Office apps. If nothing else works, consider repairing Microsoft Office by following the steps below.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Installed apps from the list.

Step 2: Scroll down to locate the Microsoft Office product on the list. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Modify.

Step 3: Select Online Repair and hit Repair.