Xerox printers are widely known for their reliability and performance. However, after a recent software or driver update, many users have reported issues where their Xerox printer fails to print. If you're one of the many who are experiencing this frustrating problem, fear not—this article will guide you step-by-step on how to resolve the "Xerox printer not printing after update" issue.

The problem could arise from various sources, including incorrect driver installations, outdated firmware, communication issues between the printer and the computer, or specific settings that may have been inadvertently changed. Whether you're using a Xerox Phaser, WorkCentre, or another model, the solutions we will discuss here are universal for all Xerox printers.

Common Causes of Xerox Printer Not Printing After Update

Before diving into the solutions, it's crucial to understand some of the typical causes behind a Xerox printer not printing after an update:

1. Outdated Printer Drivers: Sometimes, even after updating your system, the printer drivers may not be automatically updated, leading to compatibility issues.
2. Corrupted Printer Queue: After an update, your print queue might get corrupted, causing documents to get stuck in the queue.
3. Connectivity Issues: If the update has caused your network or USB connection to malfunction, it can prevent your printer from communicating with the computer.
4. Incorrect Printer Settings: Updates may reset certain printer settings, causing it to malfunction or fail to recognize print jobs.
5. Firmware Compatibility: Updates can sometimes conflict with the firmware version of your printer, which may lead to issues with printing.

Now that we have an understanding of the common causes, let’s go through some detailed troubleshooting steps to fix the Xerox printer not printing issue.

1. Check and Update Printer Drivers

One of the most common reasons why your Xerox printer is not printing after an update is outdated or incompatible printer drivers. Printer drivers are software programs that allow your computer to communicate with the printer hardware. If the drivers are outdated, they may not support the latest updates made to your operating system.

How to Update Printer Drivers:

• Step 1: Visit the official Xerox website (https://www.xerox.com).
• Step 2: Navigate to the "Support & Drivers" section.
• Step 3: Enter your printer’s model number in the search bar.
• Step 4: Download the latest printer driver that matches your operating system version.
• Step 5: Once downloaded, run the installer to update your drivers. Follow the on-screen instructions.
• Step 6: After the installation is complete, restart both your printer and computer.

Automatic Updates:

If you prefer not to manually search for drivers, you can use tools such as Driver Easy or Driver Booster to automatically detect and update drivers for you.

2. Clear and Reset the Printer Queue

If your print jobs are not being processed after an update, it could be because your print queue is stuck. This often happens after updates when jobs get "queued" but don't proceed due to conflicts or corruption.

How to Clear the Printer Queue:

• Step 1: Go to the "Control Panel" on your computer.
• Step 2: Select "Devices and Printers" or "Printers & Scanners."
• Step 3: Right-click on your Xerox printer and choose “See what’s printing.”
• Step 4: In the window that appears, click on "Printer" and then select "Cancel All Documents."
• Step 5: If the documents don't clear, restart your computer and try again.

If clearing the queue doesn’t work, you may need to restart the Print Spooler service, which handles the print jobs.

How to Restart Print Spooler Service:

• Step 1: PressWin + R, typeservices.msc, and hit Enter.
• Step 2: Scroll down and locate the Print Spooler service.
• Step 3: Right-click on it and select Restart.

3. Check Your Printer’s Connectivity

If you're using a networked or wireless Xerox printer, issues after an update could be due to a broken connection. Printer updates can sometimes reset the network settings or affect wireless configurations.

How to Check Connectivity:

• Step 1: Ensure your printer is connected to the same network as your computer. You can check this by printing a configuration page from the printer's control panel.
• Step 2: For Wi-Fi-connected printers, make sure that the wireless settings on your printer match those of your network.
• Step 3: If using a USB connection, check the cable and ensure it is securely connected. Try a different USB port on your computer.
• Step 4: Restart your router or switch to a different network connection if necessary.

If your printer is connected but still not printing, try disabling the firewall temporarily or check if the antivirus software is blocking the printer’s communication with your computer.

4. Reset Printer Settings to Default

Sometimes, software or system updates can reset printer settings, causing issues with printing. If your Xerox printer is not working after an update, try resetting its settings to default.

How to Reset Printer Settings:

• Step 1: Locate the "Menu" or "Settings" button on your Xerox printer.
• Step 2: Navigate to the Admin Settings or Printer Settings.
• Step 3: Find the option to Restore Defaults or Reset Settings.
• Step 4: Confirm the reset and wait for the printer to restart.

After resetting the settings, make sure you reconfigure any custom settings, such as paper size, quality settings, or network connections.

5. Perform a Firmware Update

If your Xerox printer’s firmware is not compatible with the recent operating system update, it can cause various issues, including failure to print.

How to Update Printer Firmware:

• Step 1: Go to the Xerox support website.
• Step 2: Search for your printer model and find the latest firmware update available.
• Step 3: Follow the instructions to download and install the firmware update. This may involve connecting your printer to the computer via USB or using a network connection.
• Step 4: Restart your printer once the update is complete.

Always ensure your printer is fully powered during a firmware update to prevent any interruptions.

6. Reinstall the Printer

If all else fails, the last resort is to remove and reinstall the printer on your computer.

How to Reinstall the Printer:

• Step 1: Go to "Devices and Printers" on your computer.
• Step 2: Right-click on the Xerox printer and select "Remove Device."
• Step 3: Once removed, unplug the printer from the computer.
• Step 4: Restart your computer.
• Step 5: After rebooting, reconnect the printer and install the latest drivers again.

Conclusion

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the Xerox printer not printing issue after an update. Whether it's updating your printer drivers, clearing the print queue, or resetting the printer settings, these methods will address the most common problems that prevent printing after updates. Always make sure your drivers, firmware, and connectivity settings are up-to-date to avoid these issues in the future.