Fix: ‘Slow Printing’ issue in Windows 11/10

This article will show you how to Fix ‘Slow Printing’ issue in Windows 11/10. While working, time is of the essence. If you want to be more productive, every second counts. However, when your printer is completely uncooperative, it causes major frustration. If you need to print out images, files, or documents right away, a slow printer will only add to your waiting time. Using a printer, soft copy can be turned into hard copy. To put it another way, it prints out your digital documents. Even though the world is gradually transitioning to digital, we might still need to occasionally use our printer until that process is complete.

We frequently print different types of documents, but some users have complained that their printer takes forever to start printing or that it starts printing slowly. While your network may occasionally be the issue (especially if you’re using a network printer), the print spooler or printer drivers may also be to blame. Many of us experience the annoying problem of slow printing frequently. The type and model of the printer have the biggest impact on printing speed. Here are some suggestions to help you to Fix ‘Slow Printing’ issue in Windows 11/10.

What is slow printing?

Many people experience slow printing, but there are ways to fix it. The steps listed below should only be taken if you have recently noticed a change in the printing speed because the printing speed also depends on the make and model of the printer. The Windows 11 operating system’s print spooler is a component that organizes printing tasks and places them in a queue to be sent to attached printers or printing services. The print spooler may experience errors if it is overworked, incompatible with other components of the operating system, or simply experiencing a glitch or bug brought on by an outdated driver, application, or version of Windows 11.

Why is printer printing so slowly?

1. Printer Settings: The printing process may be slowed down if the printer is set up for high-quality printing or a large print job.
2. Problems with the connection: Slow data transfer can be caused by a bad or unstable connection between the computer and the printer.
3. Old or damaged printer: drivers can make printing take longer because they may not be able to communicate with the printer as effectively.
4. Low Printer Memory: Low printer memory can cause print jobs to process more slowly, particularly for complex documents or images.
5. Print Queue: If there are numerous large files that need to be processed, a long queue of print jobs may result in printing delays.
6. Print Quality: Printing in high resolution or with images can take longer than printing plain-text documents.
7. Network Congestion: If the printer is connected to a network, printing speed may be impacted by heavy network traffic or congestion.

Fix: ‘Slow Printing’ issue in Windows 11/10

Check the printer preferences

Change the print quality setting from Best to Normal or draft for even faster prints to solve the issue of slow printing caused by printer preferences. However, as the print speed increases, the print quality declines because it is inversely proportional to print speed.

1. To search for Printer, press Windows Keys + S.
2. In System Settings, click Printers & Scanners. A new window will appear.
3. Locate your printer, then select Manage.
4. A new popup will now appear when you click on Printing Preferences.
5. Select Plain Paper as the Media under the Paper/Quality tab.
6. Next, click the Quality Settings option and choose Draft.
7. Click OK after selecting Apply.

Network Connection

A network issue may be the root of the slow printing issue for network printers. At least once every 24 hours, you should restart if you are using a network connection. Make sure the ethernet cable is connected if the printer is wired. To speed up wireless printers, restart your router and shut down any unnecessary bandwidth-hungry programs.

1. You can use the Network Troubleshooter wizard, which is accessible from Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Network Adapter.
2. Print while you check your network connection once more: Print your network connection details while you check your network connection once more.
3. Try the next approach if the issue doesn’t go away: If the issue persists, try the next approach.

Reset the printer

Resetting the printer, which can be done with a quick reboot, is the next action to take if you’re having trouble with slow printer printing. Printers typically use a mechanism to prevent overheating and slow down to produce less heat. This typically occurs if your printer is left on for an extended period of time.

1. Switch off your printer and make an attempt to unplug the power cord.
2. Hold off for a moment to make sure all electrical devices, including temporary memory, are completely unplugged.
3. Reattach the power cable and switch on the electricity.

Update your printer driver

The printer driver is a piece of software that enables communication between your computer and printer. You might experience the slow printing problem if you’re using a faulty or outdated printer driver. You must make sure you’re using the most recent printer driver in order to address the potential issue and guarantee your printer functions correctly.

1. Visit the manufacturer’s website for your printer.
2. Search for the most current, accurate driver.
3. Download and install the driver according to the on-screen prompts.
4. Ensure that you select drivers that are compatible with your Windows version.

Restart the Printer Spooler

The operating system uses a Windows Service called Printer Spooler to send documents to the printer. All print jobs are managed by this service, which can become slow to respond if there is a backlog of data. The steps listed below can be used to restart the printer spooler service in this situation:

1. To open the RUN box, press Windows Key + R, then type Services.msc into the text field.
2. To open the Services window, click the OK button or press the Enter key.
3. In the alphabetical list of services, find the Print Spooler service, and right-click to display the context menu.
4. To minimize the Services window, click Stop.
5. Press Windows Key + R to open the RUN box once more. Type Spool into it and hit the Enter key.
6. Double-click on the PRINTERS folder in a new folder that appears in File Explorer.
7. A print queue is located here. Remove every pending file from this folder.
8. Then, right-click the Print Spooler by returning to the Services window. Select Start.
9. To test the printer’s speed, issue a fresh Print command.

Importance of Fixing Slow Printing in Windows 11/10

1. Productivity Enhancement: Slow printing can significantly hamper productivity, especially in workplaces where printing tasks are frequent. Fixing the issue ensures that documents and materials can be printed quickly, allowing employees to focus on their primary tasks.
2. Time Savings: Slow printing can lead to unnecessary waiting times, which can be frustrating and time-consuming. By resolving the issue, you save valuable time that can be better utilized for other essential activities.
3. Meeting Deadlines: In professional settings, meeting deadlines is crucial. Slow printing may cause delays in producing important documents, leading to missed deadlines and potential consequences for the business or individual.
4. Cost Efficiency: Slow printing can waste paper, ink, and other resources. By addressing the problem, you reduce printing errors and minimize the waste, contributing to cost efficiency.
5. Smooth Workflow: A fast and efficient printing process ensures a smooth workflow. Employees can print documents seamlessly without disruptions, leading to better collaboration and overall work efficiency.

Conclusion

The slow printing issue with our HP printer was resolved using the methods covered above. No matter what printer you have, we are confident that these methods will benefit you as well since they are not brand-specific. Watch this space for more useful tech advice.

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