Quick Answer
Treat this as a printer-path troubleshooting problem before changing the workbook. Start by checking whether Windows can print a test page, then restart the Print Spooler service and repair Office if needed. [1]
What This Problem Actually Means
The message alone does not establish that the workbook is damaged. [1]Use the checks below to separate a Windows printer problem from an Excel-specific problem.
What Excel Officially Documents
- Microsoft says that app settings can cause a printing issue that affects a specific app such as Word or Excel. [1]
- Microsoft says that corrupted files can cause a printing issue that affects a specific app such as Word or Excel. [1]
- Microsoft says that outdated drivers can cause a printing issue that affects a specific app such as Word or Excel. [1]
- Microsoft says that Windows printing services can cause a printing issue that affects a specific app such as Word or Excel. [1]
- Microsoft recommends printing from another app or from a different file in the same app to determine whether a printing issue is app-specific. [1]
- Microsoft instructs you to select File > Print in Excel to verify the selected printer and its status. [1]
- Microsoft says that the Print Spooler service handles print jobs. [1]
- Microsoft says that Quick Repair and Online Repair can repair Microsoft 365 when corrupted Office files cause printing issues. [1]
- Microsoft says that Excel combines Print and Preview in one window. [2]
- Microsoft says that the Excel Print view includes configurable settings. [2]
- Microsoft says that an incorrect print area can cause expected rows or columns to be absent from Excel print preview. [2]
Why This Happens
- Excel-specific app settings
- Corrupted Office files Microsoft identifies corrupted Office files as a possible cause of printing issues in Word and Excel. Microsoft provides Quick Repair and Online Repair as repair options.
- A printer driver problem Microsoft identifies outdated or incompatible printer drivers as a possible cause of printer issues. Microsoft recommends updating the driver or uninstalling the printer device so Windows can attempt to reinstall the driver after restart.
- A stopped or temporary Print Spooler issue Microsoft says that the Print Spooler service handles print jobs. Microsoft says restarting that service can resolve temporary printer-recognition issues.
Checks You Can Make
Confirm whether Windows can communicate with the printer
A Windows test page separates a general printer connection or driver problem from an Excel-only problem. Microsoft recommends this test to confirm that Windows can communicate with the printer. [1]
- Close Excel before testing.
- Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select the printer you intend to use.
- Select Printer properties.
- On the General tab, select Print Test Page.
Compare Excel with another app and another workbook
Microsoft recommends printing from another app and from a different file in the same app to determine whether the problem is app-specific. [1]
- Open a simple document in Notepad or Paint.
- Try to print that document.
- Open a different Excel workbook.
- If Excel opens normally, select File > Print and try the second workbook.
Confirm the selected printer after Excel opens
Microsoft says that apps can default to a different or unavailable printer. Microsoft instructs you to verify the intended printer and confirm that its status is Ready. [1]
- Open a blank workbook or a workbook that does not trigger the delay, if available.
- Select File > Print.
- Confirm that the intended printer is selected.
- Check that the printer status shows Ready.
- Check that Print to PDF and Print to file are not selected if you intend to use a physical printer.
Restart the Windows Print Spooler service
Microsoft says that the Print Spooler service handles print jobs. Microsoft says restarting the service can resolve temporary issues with printer recognition. [1]
- Close Excel.
- Press the Windows key + R.
- Type services.msc.
- Press Enter.
- Locate Print Spooler.
- Right-click Print Spooler and select Restart.
- Open Excel again and check whether the opening delay remains.
Restart Excel and Windows after the printer checks
Microsoft says that temporary app or system issues can block printing. Microsoft recommends closing the app completely and restarting the PC before trying again. [1]
- Close every Excel window.
- Restart the PC.
- Open Excel again.
- Open the workbook that previously stalled.
- Repeat the Windows test-page check if the printer is still unavailable.
Advanced Fixes
Repair Microsoft 365
Microsoft says that corrupted Office files can cause printing issues. Microsoft instructs you to try Quick Repair first and Online Repair if the issue continues. [1]
- Close Excel.
- Select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Select Microsoft 365.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Quick Repair.
- After the repair finishes, open Excel and test the workbook.
- If the issue continues, return to the same location and select Online Repair.
Update or reinstall the printer driver
Microsoft says that outdated or incompatible drivers may cause printer issues. Microsoft instructs you to update the driver from Device Manager. [1]
- Close Excel.
- Select Start > Device Manager.
- Expand Printers.
- Right-click the affected printer.
- Select Update driver.
- If no update is available, select Uninstall device.
- Restart the computer so Windows can attempt to reinstall the printer driver automatically.
Run Windows 11’s automated printer troubleshooter
Microsoft instructs Windows 11 users to start with the automated Printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Microsoft says that the troubleshooter runs diagnostics and attempts to fix the printer problem. [1]
- Close Excel.
- Open the Get Help app.
- Start the Printer troubleshooter.
- Complete the diagnostic prompts.
- Restart Excel after the troubleshooter finishes.
- Test the same workbook again.
What Not To Assume
- Do not assume the workbook is corrupted solely because Excel displays “Accessing Printer.”
- Do not assume that deleting or rebuilding the workbook will correct the problem.
- Do not assume that a printer is ready for Excel merely because it is installed in Windows.
- Do not assume that a printer driver update is the first necessary step when Windows cannot print a test page.
- Do not assume that changing Excel page layout settings will resolve an opening delay before you isolate the printer path.
If Uploads Still Do Not Work
If Excel still stalls after the Windows test-page check, Print Spooler restart, Office repair, and driver check, collect results that distinguish the scope of the failure before escalating it.
- Report the issue to your organization’s IT or help desk if the computer is managed. Include the exact “Accessing Printer” wording, the printer name, whether a Windows test page printed, and whether Notepad or Paint printed.
- Contact the printer manufacturer’s support channel if the Windows test page fails or the printer driver cannot be updated or reinstalled.
- When reporting an Excel-specific issue, include whether a blank workbook opens, whether another workbook opens, and whether the problem begins before you can reach File > Print.
- Use the Windows 11 Get Help Printer troubleshooter before escalation if you have not run it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check the selected printer in Excel?
Select File > Print. Microsoft instructs you to confirm that the intended printer is selected and that its status shows Ready. [1]
Can I test whether the problem is limited to Excel?
Microsoft recommends printing from another app such as Notepad or Paint. Microsoft also recommends printing a different file from the same app. [1]
How do I print a Windows 11 test page?
Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select your printer. Select Printer properties. On the General tab, select Print Test Page. [1]
What does restarting Print Spooler do?
Microsoft says that Print Spooler handles print jobs. Microsoft says restarting it can resolve temporary printer-recognition issues. [1]
What Office repair options does Microsoft provide for printing issues?
Microsoft instructs you to select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft 365 > Advanced options > Quick Repair. Microsoft instructs you to try Online Repair if the issue continues. [1]
Where are Excel print preview and print settings?
Microsoft says that Excel combines Print and Preview in the same window. Select File > Print to open that view. [2]