Forum Discussion

gkellie's avatar
gkellie
Copper Contributor
Aug 17, 2026

NEED HELP :(

when I try to change the margins to narrow or change orientation to landscape it goes to looking for printer and then if I press any other key it locks up?   I've never had this issue before.
Eric_Brooks's avatar
Eric_Brooks
Brass Contributor
Aug 18, 2026

Word checks the default printer driver when calculating margins, paper size and printable area. If the default printer is offline, unavailable or has a damaged driver, Word can remain stuck on Looking for printer. This is usually a printer or Print Spooler problem rather than a document problem.

First, test with Microsoft Print to PDF:

  1. Close Word.
  2. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
  3. Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer.
  4. Select Microsoft Print to PDF and choose Set as default.
  5. Reopen Word and try changing the margins and orientation.

If Word now works, repair the original printer connection:

  1. Cancel any stuck jobs in that printer’s queue.
  2. Press Win + R, enter services.msc, and restart Print Spooler.
  3. Remove the unavailable printer from Printers & scanners.
  4. Install the latest driver from the printer manufacturer and add the printer again. Connect to the company network or VPN first if it is a network printer.

If Word still freezes while Microsoft Print to PDF is the default printer:

  1. Press Win + R, enter winword /safe, and test the page layout again.
  2. If Safe Mode works, disable Word add-ins under File > Options > Add-ins.
  3. If it still fails, run Microsoft 365/Office > Modify > Quick Repair from Installed apps.

Changing the default printer is the most useful first test because it immediately shows whether Word is waiting for a faulty printer driver.