We can't print from Word files. We tried the unplug/plug routine our computer guy recommended but it didn't work.

[CTyankee]

Anything you can recommend?

[The Blue Flower]

1. Check to make sure the printer is selected when you tell it to print

I accidentally changed my setting to saving the doc to my files. Thought i needed a new printer.

[lastlib]

7. Also be sure you're not printing to file.

Press +P and see if there is a box labeled "Print to file" that's checked in the print dialog box.

[Raven123]

2. Have you updated your PC software recently?

If so make sure your printer driver is compatible. May need to go to the printer company website to check.

Don’t know if you have this option, but you can try to save your Word file as a .pdf file. They print easier.

Just some thoughts. However, I use a Mac, so I may have different experiences.

[TwilightZone]

3. Printers are finicky, so there are a lot of possibilities.

Reboot the PC
Update Windows (if you're using Windows)
Update Office
Update printer drivers
Uninstall/reinstall printer drivers
Run a repair of Office

...would be my first few suggestions.

Some of those and a few others are covered here:

https://www.makeuseof.com/ways-to-fix-word-document-not-printing-correctly/

and here:

https://www.minitool.com/news/fix-microsoft-word-wont-print.html

[canetoad]

4. I'm heading off with the dog in a minute

But can you tell us what happens?

Do you get a dialogue box popping up? If so, what does it say. Does the printer spring to life or remain dead?

What I'm getting at - is the printer recieving data and trying to print and something is stopping it, or is no signal being sent to the printer. Knowing this would help enormously.

[CTyankee]

5. Thanks. Will try that!

[BootinUp]

6. Windows has little troubleshooter programs built in. There is one for printing

To find the printer troubleshooter you would look for troubleshooting in the windows control panel. Or depending on your version of windows you can also get there from windows settings-bluetooth and devices-printers and scanners and look for toubleshooting. The troubleshooting program will walk you through the process of resolving the issue.

[LPBBEAR]

8. Follow these basic diagnostic steps

1. Can you print a test page directly from the printer itself. Most printers have a built in utility for printing test pages. This will confirm the printer is actually functioning at all. If it works go on to step 2.

2. Next use the printer properties in your operating system to do another test page. This will confirm whether your printer is communicating properly with your operating system. If it works go on to step 3.

3. Try printing from another program, not Word. For instance Notepad or the web browser you're using right now. If this works go on to step 4.

4. If all the above worked try printing from Word once more with a new test document. Just create a new file with the words test and try to print. If this worked then try another saved document, not the one you had problems with.

If you had problems at step 1 I would suspect the printer is the issue. Possibly new cartridges or a failed printer.

If you had problems starting with step 2 check your print queue to see if there are any failed print jobs there. If there are clear all print jobs and try again or...
Check to see if the cable you are using to connect your computer to your printer is connected. If so try another cable just in case its bad. or...
If you are using a wireless connection switch to using a cable to connect to your printer. Wireless printing can be occasionally problematic and is one of the most frequent calls I used to get as a computer service tech. Or.....
Check that the print spooler service is actually running in your operating system. See the following if you are unfamiliar with what this is.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/what-is-spooler-service-and-how-do-i-access-it/ccc1ddab-76d4-4a99-ac62-629cc89fe396

If everything worked in step 4 except the document you are having trouble printing try downloading and installing LibreOffice and printing the document from that program. LibreOffice does a good job at recognizing MSOffice files. If LibreOffice also can't print the document I would suspect there is some problem with the document itself.
https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download-libreoffice/

Hope this helps.