Not Able to Print Word Document

Edward Cherry 0 Reputation points
2026-11-05T20:14:24.86+00:00

After saving a word document, I tried to print. It keeps going to a saved as page. when I select the document it will not print.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
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  1. Stefan Blom 357.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-11-05T20:32:11.17+00:00

    In Word, which printer do you see at File > Print? You can change to the correct printer there (applies to the current session and the current printout).

    It is possible to set the Windows default printer. See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/printer/set-a-default-printer-in-windows.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-05T20:15:00.2866667+00:00

    Select your physical printer in Word instead of Microsoft Print to PDF, XPS, or Print to file, because those options save output as a file rather than sending it to a printer.^1^

    Select the physical printer

    1. Open the document in Word.
    2. Select File > Print, or press Ctrl+P.
    3. Under Printer, open the printer list.
    4. Select your actual printer—for example, an HP, Canon, Epson, or Brother printer—not:
      • Microsoft Print to PDF
      • Microsoft XPS Document Writer
      • OneNote
      • Print to file
    5. Confirm that the printer shows Ready, then select Print.

    The Save Print Output As window is expected when Microsoft Print to PDF is selected.^2^

    If your physical printer is already selected

    Check whether its Windows port is incorrectly configured to print to a file:

    1. Close Word and other open applications.
    2. Select Start, type Control Panel, and open it.
    3. Set View by to Large icons or Small icons.
    4. Open Devices and Printers.
    5. Right-click your physical printer and select Printer properties.
    6. Open the Ports tab.
    7. If FILE: / Print to File is selected, change it to the port used by your printer:
      • For a USB printer, select its appropriate USB port. The referenced Q&A suggests LPT1 for some USB configurations.
      • For a wireless printer, select its appropriate network or WSD port.
    8. Select Apply > OK, reopen Word, and print again.^1^

    Do not change the port if you are uncertain which entry belongs to the printer; instead, use the test below.

    Test Windows printing

    On Windows 11:

    1. Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
    2. Select your printer.
    3. Select Printer properties.
    4. On the General tab, select Print Test Page.^3^
    • If the test page prints: Windows can communicate with the printer. Return to Word and ensure that printer is selected.
    • If it does not print: troubleshoot the Windows printer installation first. In Device Manager > Printers, right-click the printer and select Update driver. If necessary, uninstall the device and restart Windows so it can reinstall the driver.^3^

    If Windows prints the test page but Word still cannot print, repair Microsoft 365 from Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft 365 > Advanced options > Quick Repair. Use Online Repair only if Quick Repair does not resolve it.^3^

    References

    1. Print command results only in an invitation to save. - Microsoft Q&A
    2. [Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/accessibility/word/basic-tasks-using-a-screen-reader-with-word#print-documents)
    3. [Windows 10](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/printer/fix-printing-problems-in-word-excel-or-other-apps#step-1-try-printing-from-another-app-or-file)
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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