Forum Discussion
SOMS_IT_Admin8
Apr 08, 2025Copper Contributor
Excel locks up when printing
Excel locks up and stalls out when I try to print. Doesn’t matter if I format it to fit page by column or row. It even locks up when I try to open up the printer properties. I have to use Task Manage...
Kidd_Ip
Apr 09, 2025MVP
The issue of Excel locking up when printing can be caused by several factors, including printer driver issues, Excel settings, or even corrupted files:
- Update Printer Drivers
- Ensure your printer drivers are up-to-date. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause Excel to freeze during printing.
- Visit your printer manufacturer's website to download and install the latest drivers.
- Test with a Different Printer
- If possible, try printing to a different printer to determine if the issue is specific to your current printer.
- Run Excel in Safe Mode
- Open Excel in safe mode to disable add-ins that might be causing the issue:
- Press Windows + R, type excel /safe, and hit Enter.
- Try printing in safe mode to see if the problem persists.
- Repair Microsoft Office
- Use the built-in repair tool to fix any issues with your Office installation:
- Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
- Select Microsoft Office, click Change, and choose Online Repair.
- Check for Problematic Updates
- Some Windows updates can interfere with Excel's printing functionality. If the issue started recently, check for updates that might be causing the problem and consider uninstalling them.
- Save as PDF
- As a workaround, save your Excel file as a PDF and print the PDF instead. This can bypass Excel's printing mechanism.
- Reinstall Excel
- If none of the above steps work, consider uninstalling and reinstalling Excel to resolve any deeper issues.