Assuming that you are using XP:
There are lots of causes for a printer that's not printing.
While users aren't that dumb to say that they didn't on the switch
or didn't plug in, it's still an area to check. Make sure the
cables are plugged in and you do switch on the printer.
Next, is to make sure that the printer drivers are installed,
particularly for those still using the parallel port cable. Those
will need specialized drivers to be installed before they can
work.
For USB printers, there have lots of weird problems. Some reported
to have successfully installed the printer driver when it's being
turned off, while others have no problems while it's on. Just have
to try out whatever suitable for you. USB drivers also need to be
installed as well.
Still, when none works, uninstall everything first. Go to the
manufacturer's site to download the latest drivers first. Save them
and shut down your PC.
Turn off the power supply and wait for 30 seconds before plugging
in the printer.
Then switch it on again. When Windows prompt to install the
drivers, skip this step. Locate the drivers you have downloaded
earlier and install them.
Make sure the printing spooler in XP is turned on:
Go to Start > Run and type in cmd
In Command Prompt, type in sc start spooler
You should get this message:
SERVICE_NAME: spooler
TYPE : 110 WIN32_OWN_PROCESS (interactive)
STATE : 2 START_PENDING
(NOT_STOPPABLE,NOT_PAUSABLE,IGNORES_SHUTDOWN)
WIN32_EXIT_CODE : 0 (0x0)
SERVICE_EXIT_CODE : 0 (0x0)
CHECKPOINT : 0x1
WAIT_HINT : 0x4e20
PID : 732
FLAGS :
If this service has been started, you will get an error message
about this service has been started.
