Cannot print word docs on my Mac - am able to print Excel docs

Pamela Steigmeyer 0 Reputation points
2026-09-28T16:26:52.86+00:00

I have Microsoft family on my new 2024 `16" MacBook Pro - I can print Excel Docs but none of my word docs will print. As of right now I have an old 2014 mac and I have to share the documents using One Drive - to my old mac in order to print them.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS
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  1. Kai-H 27,725 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-29T10:27:59.3966667+00:00

    Hi, Pamela Steigmeyer

    Since Excel prints on the new Mac, I’d check what Word is sending to the printer before changing the printer setup again. The older Mac printing the same documents also makes the new Mac’s settings worth checking.

    Here are some suggestions you can try:

    In System Settings > Printers & Scanners, change Default printer from Last Printer Used to the printer you actually use. Quit and reopen Word, then check that the same printer is selected under File > Print.

    In Word, open File > Page Setup and make sure the paper size matches the paper in your printer. Check the paper size again in the Print window; Word and the printer can have separate settings.

    If the Print window opens but nothing comes out, try changing the document’s font temporarily. A font can prevent a Word document from printing even when other apps print normally.

    Finally, check Help > Check for Updates in Word, or App Store > Updates if you installed Word from the App Store.

    The key distinction is whether Word’s Print window doesn’t open at all or opens but the job doesn’t print. That detail would help narrow down the next step.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-28T16:27:10.9433333+00:00

    Since Excel prints but Word does not, the issue is likely specific to Word or the macOS printing setup used by Word.

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Test Word with a new blank document.
      • In Word, select File > New.
      • Type a few words.
      • Try to print.
      • If the new file prints, the original document may be damaged.
    2. Try printing from another Mac app such as Notes.
      • Open Notes.
      • Create or open a note.
      • Select File > Print.
      • If Notes prints successfully, the problem points more to Word or Office.
    3. Remove and re-add the printer.
      • Open System Preferences or System Settings.
      • Go to Printers & Scanners.
      • Select the printer.
      • Click Delete (-).
      • Click Add (+) and add the printer again.
      • Then test printing from Word.
    4. Reset the printing system.
      • In Printers & Scanners, Control-click in the device list.
      • Choose Reset printing system.
      • Restart the Mac.
      • Add the printer again.
      • Warning: this removes all printers and resets printer settings.
    5. Replace printer preference files.
      • On the desktop, create a folder named Print Prefs.
      • Open Go > Home.
      • Open Library. If hidden, hold Option while opening the Go menu.
      • Open Preferences.
      • Select each com.apple.print.*.plist file.
      • Move those files to the Print Prefs folder.
      • Restart the Mac.
      • Test printing from Word again.
      • Warning: this resets printer preference files.
    6. If Word for the web is being used on macOS and the print preview is blank, use the current workaround:
      • Convert the document to PDF first.
      • Then print the PDF.

    If Word still cannot print after these steps, and other apps continue to print normally, reinstalling Office on the Mac is a documented next step.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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