What’s Wrong With My Printer? Try These Ideas

When you’re in a hurry, a slow printer can become frustrating very quickly. Whether it takes forever to start a job or prints pages painfully slowly, there are a few simple things you can check and fix on your own.

This article explains common reasons why printers slow down and how you can speed things up—without any professional help.

What Does It Mean to Print Slowly?

• Long wait before printing starts
• Pages printing one at a time with large gaps
• Very slow printing for color or image-heavy documents
• Frequent buffering or freezing during a print job

Why Does Your Printer Take So Long to Print?

• High-resolution or photo-quality print settings
• Multiple print jobs stuck in the queue
• Weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection
• Printer set to Eco or Quiet mode
• Outdated drivers or software
• Limited printer memory

How to Fix a Slow Printer on Your Own

1. Change Print Quality Settings

Switch print quality to “Draft” or “Standard.” High-resolution printing takes more time and ink, which is fine for photos but unnecessary for everyday documents.

2. Clear the Print Queue

Old or paused print jobs can slow everything down. Cancel all pending jobs and send a fresh print to test the speed.

3. Turn Off Quiet Mode

Many printers use Quiet Mode to reduce noise by slowing print speed. Disable this option if you don’t mind a little extra sound.

4. Check Network Strength

For wireless printing, keep the printer close to the Wi-Fi router. Weak signals can delay data transfer and slow down printing.

5. Update Printer Software

Outdated drivers or firmware can impact performance. Check your printer’s settings or control panel and install the latest updates.

6. Restart Devices

Restart your printer, computer, and router to clear memory and remove temporary performance lags.

Extra Tip: Use the Right Connection

If wireless printing stays slow, try using a USB cable temporarily. A direct connection is often faster, especially for large or complex files.

Keep Printing Faster in the Future

• Keep printer drivers and firmware updated
• Avoid sending too many print jobs at once
• Use lower resolution when high quality isn’t required
• Perform monthly maintenance checks

Want More Do-It-Yourself Ideas?

Slow printing isn’t the only common printer issue. At Ink Hiveco, we share easy DIY guides to fix everything from connectivity problems to paper jams. Visit our blog for practical help exactly when you need it.