Why Won't My Windows Desktop Print Preview Open?
Having trouble opening the print preview window on your Windows desktop? It's a common issue, and can be frustrating when you need to see how your document will look before you print it. Luckily, there are a few solutions you can try to get it working again.
What Could Be Causing the Issue?
The issue of a non-opening print preview window in Windows can stem from a variety of reasons. Here are a few common culprits:
- Outdated Drivers: Your printer driver might be outdated, causing compatibility issues with the print preview function.
- Software Conflicts: A conflicting software program could be interfering with the print preview process.
- Corrupted Print Spooler: The print spooler, which manages printing tasks, might be corrupted.
- Windows System Issues: There could be underlying issues with your Windows operating system itself.
- Insufficient Resources: Your computer might not have enough resources (memory, processing power) to handle the print preview.
Troubleshooting Steps
1. Update Your Printer Drivers:
- Manually: Visit the manufacturer's website for your printer and download the latest drivers.
- Automatically: Open the Device Manager (Right-click on the Windows Start button, select Device Manager), locate your printer, and right-click to select Update Driver.
2. Run the Print Spooler Troubleshooter:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Go to Troubleshooting and select View all.
- Choose "Use a troubleshooter to fix problems with printing".
- Follow the instructions provided by the troubleshooter.
3. Restart the Print Spooler Service:
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type services.msc and press Enter.
- Locate the Print Spooler service.
- Right-click and select Restart.
4. Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software:
- Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with printing processes.
- Temporarily disable your antivirus and see if the issue persists.
5. Reset Print Spooler:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click the Start button, select "Command Prompt (Admin)").
- Type the following command and press Enter: net stop spooler
- Type this command and press Enter: net start spooler
- This will restart the print spooler service.
6. Repair or Reinstall the Printer Software:
- Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
- Locate the printer software and select Uninstall.
- Download the latest software from the manufacturer's website and install it.
7. Check Your Printer Settings:
- Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
- Right-click your printer and select Printing Preferences.
- Ensure the "Print preview" option is enabled and the settings are configured correctly.
8. Run a System Scan:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
- This will scan for and repair any corrupted system files.
9. Increase Virtual Memory:
- If you have limited RAM, try increasing virtual memory to give your system more resources.
- Go to System Properties > Advanced system settings > Advanced tab.
- Click "Change" under Performance and select "Advanced".
- Click "Change" in the Virtual memory section and select "Custom size".
- Adjust the initial and maximum size to a higher value (ensure it's at least 1.5 times the size of your physical RAM).
10. Check for Software Updates:
- Ensure your operating system and other software are up-to-date.
- Updates often include bug fixes that can resolve printing issues.
11. Contact Your Printer Manufacturer:
- If none of the above solutions work, reach out to your printer manufacturer for support.
- They might have specific troubleshooting steps or driver updates for your particular model.
Prevention Tips
- Keep Drivers Up-to-Date: Regularly update your printer drivers to avoid compatibility issues.
- Avoid Excessive Printing: If you're printing large files or documents, close other programs to ensure sufficient system resources.
- Run System Scans: Regularly run system scans to identify and fix any corrupted files.
- Monitor Software Updates: Keep your operating system and other software up-to-date with the latest updates.
Conclusion
The inability to open the print preview window in Windows can be a frustrating issue. By following the troubleshooting steps listed above, you can diagnose and resolve the problem, whether it's due to outdated drivers, software conflicts, or system issues. Remember to keep your drivers up-to-date and run system scans regularly to prevent similar problems in the future.