How to View a Printer’s Print Queue in Windows 11
The print queue in Windows 11 acts as a digital waiting line that holds every document sent to your printer. Opening this queue lets you check the exact status of your print jobs, stop a stuck document, or cancel a print job entirely.
Checking the queue takes just a few clicks through the Windows 11 Settings app or the taskbar icon. This quick step helps you fix common printer problems when a document refuses to print.
Go to Settings , then Bluetooth & devices, and click Printers & scanners. Select your printer and click the Open print queue button. This displays a list of all documents waiting to be printed or currently printing.
The Start Menu is Your Friend
Accessing the Settings app begins at the Start menu . Clicking the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen opens it.
- Click the Start button .
- Then, click the Settings icon (it looks like a gear).
Going to Printers & Scanners
Inside the Settings app, examine the menu on the left side. Click Bluetooth & devices, then locate and click Printers & scanners on the right side.
Windows stores all information concerning printers and scanners in this location.
Opening the Print Queue
The printer’s print queue shows documents waiting for the printer. Navigating to the correct settings window in Windows 11 and performing a few mouse clicks reveals the print queue list for managing print jobs.
Choosing Your Printer
The Printers & scanners section displays a list of available printers. Clicking the name of the specific printer opens its queue.
The "Open Print Queue" Button
Selecting the printer displays a new screen containing additional details. Locating and clicking the Open print queue button reveals the queue.
A new window appears, showing all documents waiting to be printed or currently printing.
Understanding the Print Queue Window
Print jobs are managed directly from the Print Queue window.
What You'll See
Windows 11 gathers all documents sent to the printer inside the print queue. The list displays each document's name, current status (such as 'printing' or 'stuck'), sender, and page count. Tracking print jobs and identifying problems becomes possible through this interface.
- Document Name: The name of the file you tried to print.
- Status: What's happening with the job. Common statuses are "Printing," "Spooling" (Windows is getting the document ready), "Error," or "Deleting."
- Owner: Which user sent the job.
- Pages: How many pages are in the document.
- Submitted: When the job was sent.
- Port: How your printer is connected.
No Jobs? No Problem!
An empty list indicates zero waiting print jobs. The printer remains ready or finished, which signals a normal state.
Checking the Right Printer
The Printers menu inside the Print Queue window handles multiple printers. Clicking the Printers menu at the top of the window displays a list of all devices, permitting selection and viewing of a specific device's print queue.
Managing Your Print Jobs
Controlling print jobs happens directly within the queue window.
Canceling a Print Job
Canceling a stuck print job or an accidental submission takes minimal effort. Opening the print queue, locating the document, right-clicking it, and selecting 'Cancel' removes the job.
- In the Print Queue window, find the job.
- Right-click on the document.
- Select Cancel.
The status changes to "Deleting" prior to vanishing.
Pausing or Resuming Printing
Pausing or resuming all printing jobs occurs directly from the print queue window in Windows 11. This proves useful when temporarily stopping printing is necessary to add paper or fix a jam. Opening the print queue, navigating to the 'Printer' menu, and clicking 'Pause Printing' stops the process, while clicking it again resumes operation.
- In the Print Queue window, go to the Printer menu at the top.
- Click Pause Printing. The status will show it's paused.
- To resume, go back to the Printer menu and click Pause Printing again.
Canceling All Documents
Major issues require canceling all jobs simultaneously.
- In the Print Queue window, click the Printer menu.
- Select Cancel All Documents.
Restart the Print Spooler Service
Restarting the Print Spooler (the background software that manages print jobs) in Windows 11 often fixes stubborn errors by refreshing computer handling of print tasks. Pressing the Windows key + R on the keyboard, typing services.msc, and pressing Enter launches the Services window. Scrolling down until Print Spooler appears on the list allows restarting the service to resolve printer problems.
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
- Type
services.mscand press Enter. This opens the Services window. - Scroll down and find Print Spooler.
- Right-click on Print Spooler and select Restart.
- If that doesn't work, right-click, select Properties, click Stop, wait a few seconds, and then click Start.
Attempting to print again follows the service restart.
Summary
Checking and managing the printer queue in Windows 11 constitutes a valuable skill. Understanding printing becomes clearer, empowering independent troubleshooting of common problems. Lost documents no longer pose a mystery regarding where to look.
How to view printer queue in 🪟 Windows 11?
To view the printer queue in Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select the printer, then click 'Open print queue'. This displays all pending print jobs, their status, and allows for management.
How do I open the old print queue in 🪟 Windows 11?
To access the classic print queue in Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Click the printer, then select 'Printer properties'. Under the 'General' tab, click 'Print Queue...' to open the older interface.
How do I clear a print queue that is stuck?
To clear a stuck print queue in Windows 11, open the queue (Settings > Printers & scanners > [Your Printer] > Open print queue). Go to Printer > Cancel All Documents. If that fails, restart the Print Spooler (the background software that manages print jobs) via the Services app.
Can you check your printer's print history?
Windows 11 does not natively store a comprehensive print history by default. However, enabling print history logging inside the printer properties under the 'Advanced' tab works. This requires specific configuration and may remain unavailable for certain printers.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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