In order to keep print jobs separate even when you send multiple documents to a printer, your computer
contains a print queue. This queue, which works across all user accounts on the computer, keeps a list of
requested print jobs with all the necessary data stored in temporary memory known as a print spool.
As a printer finishes one job, the computer sends the next job from the spool. Most home inkjet printers print
directly from the spooled data, so clearing a stuck document often requires clearing the queue on the computer,
rather than memory in the printer itself. Some high-end printers, such as networked laser printers,
also have temporary memory built into the machine.
To clear the print queue on Windows 7 or Windows 8, open the Devices and Printers control panel and
right-click the printer that needs clearing.
1. Click "See What's Printing."
2. Open the "Printer" menu,
3. pick "Cancel All Documents" and choose "Yes."
The list should clear within a few seconds. If one or more print jobs remain on the list, reboot your computer
to clear out the memory. Every computer has its own list for a networked printer, so you might need to perform
this operation on multiple computers if canceling the jobs on one PC doesn't solve the problem.
If your printer still won't work after clearing the jobs on your computer, you might also need to reset the printer to clear its active memory.
1. Turn off the printer and unplug it from the electrical outlet.
2. Leave the printer unplugged for a minute before reconnecting the power to make sure the
memory completely loses power.
3. After plugging the printer in and turning it on, wait until the printer finishes its startup sequence before
sending a new print job.