Troubleshoot slow printing issues in Windows
Applies To
If your printer is printing slowly in Windows 11, the cause is often simple such as print quality settings, network delays, or outdated drivers. These quick checks and adjustments help restore normal print speed so you can get documents out faster with minimal interruption.
Follow the below troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:
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Select Start >Â Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
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Select your printer and then select Manage > Printing preferences.
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Under Paper/Quality, choose a suitable (not unnecessarily high) Print Quality level.
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Make sure the Paper Type matches the paper loaded in the tray.
If you’re using Wi‑Fi, switch temporarily to USB or Ethernet.
This helps rule out network latency as a cause of slow printing.
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Visit your printer manufacturer’s support site.
-
Install any available firmware updates, which often resolve performance delays.
Large files or pages with high‑resolution images can print very slowly.
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Simplify the document, compress images, or print in draft/standard mode.
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Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
-
Select your printer and then select Printer Properties.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Open the Advanced tab.​​​​​​​
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Enable these settings:
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Spool print documents so program finishes printing faster
-
Start printing after last page is spooled
-
Print spooled documents first
-
These settings help the printer prepare jobs more efficiently, reduce pauses, and avoid network delays especially useful when printing over shared or slower network connections.
Support for Windows 10 has ended on October 14, 2025
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
If your printer is printing slowly in Windows 10, the cause is often simple such as print quality settings, network delays, or outdated drivers. These quick checks and adjustments help restore normal print speed so you can get documents out faster with minimal interruption.
Follow the below troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:
-
Select Start >Â Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
-
Select your printer and then select Manage > Printing preferences.
-
Under Preferences, choose a suitable (not unnecessarily high) Print Quality level.
-
Make sure the Paper Type matches the paper loaded in the tray.
If you’re using Wi‑Fi, switch temporarily to USB or Ethernet.
This helps rule out network latency as a cause of slow printing.
-
Visit your printer manufacturer’s support site.
-
Install any available firmware updates, which often resolve performance delays.
Large files or pages with high‑resolution images can print very slowly.
-
Simplify the document, compress images, or print in draft/standard mode.
-
Select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
-
Select your printer and then select Manage >Â Printer Properties.
-
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Open the Advanced tab.​​​​​​​
-
Enable these settings:
-
Spool print documents so program finishes printing faster
-
Start printing after last page is spooled
-
Print spooled documents first
-
These settings help the printer prepare jobs more efficiently, reduce pauses, and avoid network delays especially useful when printing over shared or slower network connections.
If you're facing a different printer issue, see Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows.
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