In Windows, pause any print job by following the steps below after you’ve started printing something.

Pause a print job from the Notification Area

  • When starting to print something in Windows a printer icon is shown in the Windows Notification Area, right-click this icon. If you do not see a printer icon, click the up arrow in the Notification Area to show all icons.
  • Click Open All Active Printers.
  • Right-click the print job you want to pause, and then click Pause.

Pause from print jobs through Control Panel

Pause print jobs through the Control Panel by following the steps below.

To resume the print job when you are ready, right-click the document name again and select Resume or Resume Printing.

  • Open the Control Panel
  • Open Devices and Printers, Printers, or Printers and Faxes depending on your version of Windows.
  • Double-click the name of the printer that is being used.
  • If any print jobs are in the queue, click either the 1 document(s) in queue or double-click See what’s printing. Once done, a window similar to the above example appears. Following the steps above lets you pause the print job.
  • How to view and cancel a print job in Windows.
  • How to clear the printer queue.
  • See our pause and printer definitions for further information and related links.
  • Printer help and support.