Word can’t print due to a problem with the printer setup

Anonymous
2018-06-01T19:46:26+00:00

I'm on Word 16.15 (Office Insider Fast), and printing has become a nightmare. I can only get one successful print job sent before printing quits completely and I have to quit and re-open Word...

I see others have had this issue - any resolution/workarounds?

***Screencast Recording of Error Experience***

***Description of Problem***

On Word 16.15, I get the following error message when attempting to print:

"Word can't print due to a problem with the printer setup."

After I acknowledge the error, the normal print dialogue pops up and I am able to complete the print normally.  

But if I try to print again (after the initial print is complete), I get the same error message, but the print preview window reports "0 of 0 pages". When I click the print button, nothing actually gets sent to the printer. 

If I quit word and restart, then I can print again for that initial time, but not for additional prints thereafter. Each print requires me to close Word, re-open, and start the process again.

All other MS Office apps print without error.  All other system applications print without error.

  • Word for Mac Version: 16.15 (180530)
  • MacOS Version: 10.13.4
  • Printer: Epson WorkForce 7720
  • Printer Driver Version 10.08
Microsoft 365 Insider | Word | MacOS

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-06-20T16:02:22+00:00

    As I had the same problem, I contacted Microsoft and had an online 'chat' with a Microsoft advisor. He told me that the problem had been caused in (or by) the latest Microsoft update. He provided me with a link for downloading and installing the previous update version of Word 2016, which temporarily solved the problem. (I am afraid I cannot any more find the link.) He also assured me that MS knew about the problem, were working on it, and that it would be resolved in the next update.

    The next day a new update was announced. As a safety precaution I had retained the installer for the older update of Word 2016 that the MS advisor had made available to me, so it felt safe to install the new update. I did so, and this update did indeed resolve the problem. I now have Word v. 16.14.1 and printing on my Epson XP-760 is now problem-free; I have not tried scanning, because I have a separate V500 scanner (which is working correctly).

    Incidentally there was also an update to Excel, so presumably there will have been a printing problem with Excel, too. 

    I suggest you download and install the latest Word (and Excel) updates.

    Good luck.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-06-20T15:07:22+00:00

    I've restarted my computer only to be able to print once then experience the same error again and not be able to print at all.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-06-12T16:53:05+00:00

    Thank you for the information. The Word team is investigating.

    -Jesse

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-06-12T13:38:30+00:00

    I have the same problem on my Mac, OS 10.13.5, and my Epson printer, XP-760. There is no similar problem if I open a document (however created) in Word 2011, or in other applications. I have checked that I have the latest Epson printer driver.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-06-01T20:33:55+00:00

    Thank you for your report as well as the recording. I've passed this along to the team investigating the issue.

    -Jesse

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