In Windows, print jobs can be viewed and canceled once started by accessing the print queue via the notification area or through the Windows Control Panel. Follow the steps below for help with canceling a print job in Windows.

View and cancel a print job from the notification area

  • When a user initiates a print job in Windows, a printer icon is usually displayed in the Windows notification area. Right-click the printer icon.

To only view the status and progress of a print job, follow the instructions on this page up to the step about deleting the print job.

  • View and cancel a print job from the notification area.

  • View and cancel a print job from Control Panel.

  • Select the Open All Active Printers, Printer Queue, or similarly-named option in the pop-up menu that opens.

  • Right-click the print job you want to cancel and select Cancel.

If you do not see a printer icon, click the Up arrow in the notification area to show all icons.

  • When prompted, click Yes to cancel the print job.

View and cancel a print job from Control Panel

  • Open the Control Panel
  • Click or double-click the View devices and printers, Devices and Printers, Printers, or Printers and Faxes option, depending on your version of Windows.
  • Double-click the name of the printer installed on your computer.
  • If any print jobs are in the queue, click the 1 document(s) in queue, See what’s printing, or a similar option to open the print queue.

Some print jobs may take a while to cancel. If the print job does not cancel in a few seconds, wait at least 30 seconds before trying again. Try clearing the print queue if the print job still doesn’t cancel. See: How to clear the printer queue.

  • Right-click the print job you want to cancel and select Cancel from the drop-down menu that appears.

Some print jobs may take a while to cancel. If the print job does not cancel in a few seconds, wait at least 30 seconds before trying again. If the print job still doesn’t cancel, try clearing the print queue; see: How to clear the printer queue.

  • How to access the print queue.
  • How to clear the printer queue.
  • How to pause a print job in Windows.
  • See our printer definition for further information and related links.
  • Printer help and support.