How to Fix a Slow Printer

Has your office printer been running slowly? 

Whether you’re working on a tight deadline or trying to print a simple report, a slow printer can quickly become a source of frustration. The good news is you can resolve this common issue with a few simple troubleshooting steps. 

In this guide, we’ll teach you how to fix a slow printer and offer several practical solutions that can help boost your printer’s speed and get it running smoothly again. Say goodbye to waiting around for your prints!

1. Check Your Print Quality Settings

One often overlooked factor that slows down printing is the quality setting. Higher-quality settings, especially in colour, demand more data and processing, which can lead to slower printing speed.

What to Do:

• Open your printer settings on your computer (usually found under “Devices and Printers” on Windows).
• Check the “Print Quality” or “Resolution” settings. If it’s set to “High” or “Best,” switch it to “Draft” or “Standard” mode. This will use less ink and speed up printing without compromising readability. This mode is usually perfect for everyday documents that don’t need top-quality prints.

2. Use the Correct Printer Drivers

Another common cause of slow printing can be outdated, incompatible or incorrect printer drivers. Printer drivers are the software that allows your computer to communicate with your printer. Updating drivers can also resolve other performance issues, as manufacturers often include fixes and improvements in newer versions.

What to Do:

• Go to the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Canon, HP, Brother) and search for the latest drivers for your model.
• Download and install the latest drivers. They’re designed specifically for your printer and help optimise its performance.

3. Limit Complex Images and High-Resolution Graphics

Large images and high-resolution graphics can slow down printing since they require more processing power and memory. Reducing the resolution and simplifying graphics can help your printer handle documents more efficiently.

What to Do:

• Before printing, resize or compress images to a lower resolution, which reduces the data load.
• For documents with heavy graphics, try converting them to a PDF format, which may simplify processing and improve print speed.

4. Check Your Network Connection

If your printer is connected via Wi-Fi, a weak signal can lead to delays. Wireless printers rely on a strong connection to receive data quickly, so a shaky network can slow things down.

What to Do:

• Move your printer closer to the router for a better signal.
• Connect your printer directly to your computer with a USB cable if possible. Wired connections are generally faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi.
• If your network handles many devices, consider upgrading to a more robust router to manage the load better.

5. Clear the Print Queue 

When you send a print job to your printer, it often gets queued up in the print queue before it’s processed. If multiple jobs are waiting to be printed, especially large ones, these can slow down the entire process.

What to Do:

• Open your printer queue by going to “Devices and Printers” and selecting your printer.
• Cancel any pending or incomplete jobs. Clearing the queue can help your printer process new jobs without interference.

6. Increase Printer Memory 

High-capacity or multifunction office printers can benefit from extra memory (RAM), especially when handling complex or large documents. With additional memory, your printer can store more data, allowing it to process jobs faster. 

What to Do:

• Check if your printer supports memory upgrades, as many office models do.
• Consult your printer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for compatible memory options and installation steps.

7. Restart the Print Spooler

The print spooler is a service that manages print jobs on your computer. When it’s overloaded or encountering errors, it can slow down your printer’s response time. Refreshing the spooler can eliminate temporary slowdowns and improve print speeds.

What to Do:

• On Windows, type “Services” in the search bar to open the Services app.
• Locate “Print Spooler,” right-click, and select “Restart.” This refreshes the service and clears any errors.
• If the issue persists, clear the print spooler cache on your system, which may resolve lingering problems.

8. Update Printer Firmware

Like drivers, firmware updates help keep your printer performing at its best. Keeping firmware current can optimise print speeds, improve compatibility with your system, and boost overall performance. Manufacturers also release firmware updates to enhance speed, add features, and address bugs.

What to Do:

• Visit the manufacturer’s website and check for firmware updates for your printer model.
• Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

9. Keep Your Printer in a Suitable Environment

Printers can be affected by temperature, humidity, and dust, all of which can slow down operation and increase wear on parts. So, keep your printer in a suitable environment to help it function smoothly and prolong its lifespan.

What to Do:

• Place your printer in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and dust. Make sure it’s on a stable surface.
• Clean your printer regularly, especially around the rollers and paper tray, to prevent dust buildup.

How to Fix Slow Printing in Specific Printer Brands

Have you updated your drivers or cleared the print queues, but are you still having issues? 

Some printer brands, like Brother, HP, and Epson, have specific settings and features that can impact how fast they print. Let’s look at a few more targeted tips to speed up these printers.

How to fix the slow printing process in Brother printer

• Check Quiet Mode: Brother printers often have a “Quiet Mode” setting, which reduces noise but also slows down printing. Turn off Quiet Mode in your printer’s settings to improve speed.
• Update Printer Driver: Outdated drivers can slow down print processing. Visit Brother’s official website, find your printer model, and download the latest driver.
• Adjust Print Resolution: High-quality print settings can slow down printing. Set the resolution to “Standard” or “Fast” mode to reduce print time.
• Disable Duplex Printing (if not needed): Double-sided printing takes more time as the printer has to flip each page. If speed is a priority, disable duplex printing.

Ways to fix slow-printing HP printers

• Check the “Draft Mode” Setting: HP printers often have a “Draft Mode” option that speeds up print jobs. Adjust this in your print settings for faster printing.
• Update Firmware and Driver: Keeping your HP printer’s firmware and driver updated ensures optimal performance. Visit HP’s support website to download updates specific to your model.
• Turn Off Quiet Mode: Some HP models have a Quiet Mode, which slows down print speed. Turning off this feature will typically increase printing speed.
• Check Network Connection: If your HP printer is connected wirelessly, a weak network can impact speed. Try moving it closer to the router or connecting it directly via USB.

How to fix the slow printing problem with your Epson printer

• Disable High-Quality Print Mode: High-resolution printing on Epson devices takes longer. Set the quality to “Standard” or “Draft” in the printer settings for a quicker process.
• Clean Printhead: A clogged printhead can slow down printing. Run a printhead cleaning cycle from your Epson printer’s maintenance menu.
• Check Paper Settings: Epson printers may slow down if the paper settings do not match the loaded paper. Ensure the selected paper type in the settings matches what’s in the tray.
• Update Drivers: Download the latest drivers from Epson’s website to prevent software-related slowdowns. Updated drivers often include performance improvements.

Printer Still Printing Slow? A Professional Can Fix It

If you’ve tried all these steps and your printer is still slow, it’s time to consult a professional. Issues like worn-out parts or hardware malfunctions can require expert care.

At the Printer Repair Centre, our experienced team provides professional repair and maintenance services across Sydney. We handle major printer brands and all types of machines, from multifunction devices to large format models. Need it fixed today? No worries—we even perform same-day repair services.

Get in touch with our specialists today & let us get your printer back up to speed!