How to Clear a Stuck Print Queue in Windows 11

Option 1: Manually Clear the Queue

Open the Print Queue
- Press Windows + R, type “control printers” and press Enter.
- Right-click your printer and select See what’s printing.
Cancel the Stuck Document
- In the print queue window, right-click the stuck document.
- Click Cancel. If it doesn’t respond, continue to the next steps.

Option 2: Use the Print Spooler Service (The Full Reset Method)

Pause the Print Spooler Service
- Press Windows + R, type “services.msc” and press Enter.
- Scroll down and find Print Spooler.
- Right-click it and choose Stop.

Clear the Print Queue Files

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Go to this folder: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

If prompted for permission, click Continue.
Delete all files in this folder. (These are your stuck print jobs.)

Restart the Print Spooler
- Go back to the Services window.
- Right-click Print Spooler again and choose Start.

Check if Printing Works Again

Try printing a test page:

Right-click your printer in the Devices and Printers window.
Choose Printer properties > Print Test Page.