While using a printer in Windows 11/10, if you see an error message saying Another computer is using the printer, here is how you can fix the issue. When multiple computers use a printer, it is possible that it could get locked for a while.
Why is my printer saying another computer is using it?
Your printer may display the Another computer is using the printer error message if a previous process has not released the process lock. This can happen if the printer driver is corrupt, the printing is incomplete, or if the printer is unavailable.
Fix Another computer is using the printer error
To fix the Another computer is using the printer error in Windows 11/10, follow these solutions:
- Hard Power recycle printer
- Restart Print Spooler Service
- Update Printer Driver
- Delete everything in the Spool folder
- Run Printer Troubleshooter
One of the solutions will surely help you get rid of the error.
1] Hard Power Recycle Printer
At times Printer is just stuck in one of the earlier requests. So every time another computer tries to connect, it gives this error. One of the best ways is to hard-power-recycle the printer.
Turn off the printer, and keep it turned off for more than a minute or so. Then turn it back on, and connect to the network or computer. Try printing a document now. The power cycle will make sure the printer is out of the busy status and available.
2] Restart Print Spooler Service
The Print Spooler Service keeps a queue of print jobs and handles interaction with the printer. If you turn off this service, you won’t be able to print or see your printers.
- Type services.msc in the Run prompt and hit the Enter key to open the Services Manager
- This will open the list of all Services in Windows.
- Use the P key on the keyboard to jump to services that start with alphabet P, and then locate Print Spooler Service.
- Right-click on the Print Spool service, and choose to Restart from the context menu.
- Try printing again to check if the error message is gone.
Restarting clears everything and makes the printer available for everyone.
Read: The Print Spooler Service is not running.
3] Update Printer Driver
Another solution is to update the printer driver or reinstall it. It will refresh everything, including a corrupt driver or a stuck queue.
- Right-click on the Start button, and choose Device Manager
- Expand the Print Queues section, and right-click on the printer, causing the problem.
- Select Update driver from the menu option, and update the Printer driver.
There are two ways to upgrade the driver. You can either let Windows look for a driver from the Windows update service – or if you have downloaded a new driver from OEM website, you can use it here.
4] Delete everything in the Spool folder
- All printer jobs are kept at C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
- Navigate to the folder and open it.
- Delete everything inside it, and check with the printer again.
We hope these tips help you to resolve the error — Another computer is using the printer.
5] Run Printer Troubleshooter
You can run the Printer Troubleshooter using the Get Help app. For that, open the Get Help app and search for “printer troubleshooter”. Then, follow the screen instructions to get it fixed.
That’s all! I hope these solutions worked for you.
How to fix the printer is performing another operation?
This problem arises when your printer is connected to multiple computers in a network. You need to release the lock from the previous session or computer. The best way to do that is by using the Printer Troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
Read next: How to cancel stuck Print Job queue.
