Outlook can crash or freeze when you try to print an email or calendar item. This is often caused by a corrupted or outdated printer driver that conflicts with Outlook’s rendering engine. This article explains why this conflict happens and provides a clear method to reset your printer drivers. Following these steps will restore stable printing from Outlook.
Key Takeaways: Fixing Outlook Print Crashes
- Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners: Remove the problematic printer and reinstall it to clear corrupted driver data.
- Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features: Uninstall any third-party printer software suites that may be causing the conflict.
- File > Print > Print Options: Use the Outlook-specific print dialog to test printing with different settings before a full driver reset.
Why Printer Drivers Cause Outlook to Crash
Outlook uses a specific method to prepare items for print preview and physical printing. It interacts with the Windows graphics subsystem, which relies on printer drivers to translate data. When a printer driver is outdated, damaged, or has a faulty configuration, this communication can fail. The failure often happens during the rendering phase, causing Outlook to stop responding or close unexpectedly.
Common triggers include a recent Windows update that changed system files, a driver update from the manufacturer that introduced a bug, or corrupted temporary files in the print spooler. Unlike other applications, Outlook’s print function is deeply integrated with its item display, making it sensitive to these driver-level issues. The crash typically occurs the moment you click Print or open the Print Preview window.
Steps to Reset Your Printer Driver for Outlook
The most reliable fix is to remove the current printer driver and reinstall a fresh version. This process clears corrupted settings and cache files. Start by ensuring you have administrator rights on your computer and know your printer model. You may need to download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website beforehand.
- Open Windows printer settings
Press the Windows key, type “Printers & scanners,” and select the matching system setting. This opens the modern device management page. - Remove the problematic printer
In the list of printers, find the one you use with Outlook. Click on it and select “Remove device.” Confirm the removal. This deletes the driver from your system. - Restart your computer
Shut down Windows completely and then turn your PC back on. This clears any remaining driver files from memory and the print spooler service. - Reinstall the printer driver
After restarting, return to Settings > Printers & scanners. Click “Add device” and let Windows detect your printer. If it doesn’t find it, click “Add manually” and use the driver file you downloaded. Follow the on-screen setup wizard. - Set the new printer as default
Once installed, click on the printer and select “Set as default.” This ensures Outlook will use it. - Test printing in Outlook
Open Outlook, select a simple email, and go to File > Print. Choose the newly installed printer and click Print. If it works, the driver issue is resolved.
If Outlook Still Crashes After a Driver Reset
Sometimes, the core driver reset is not enough if other system components are involved. Try these additional steps if the problem continues.
Outlook crashes only in Print Preview mode
This points to a graphics rendering issue. Try disabling hardware graphics acceleration in Outlook. Go to File > Options > Advanced. Under the Display section, check the box for “Disable hardware graphics acceleration.” Click OK and restart Outlook. This forces Outlook to use basic software rendering for print preview.
Outlook crashes when printing any email with an image
A specific file in the temporary Internet files cache could be damaged. Clear the Outlook cache by closing Outlook and opening the Run dialog with Windows key + R. Type “%temp%” and press Enter. Delete all files in the folder that opens. Then, restart your computer and test printing again.
All Microsoft 365 apps crash when printing
The issue is likely system-wide. Run the built-in printer troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find “Printer” and run the troubleshooter. It can automatically detect and fix common service problems.
Outlook Print Crash Solutions Compared
| Item | Reset Printer Driver | Disable Hardware Acceleration |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | Outlook crashes on any print attempt | Crash occurs only in Print Preview window |
| Complexity | Medium, requires reinstalling hardware | Low, a single setting change in Outlook |
| Effect on System | Fixes all apps using that printer | Affects only Outlook’s display performance |
| Permanence | Long-term fix until next driver update | Temporary workaround for a graphics bug |
| Time Required | 10-15 minutes including restart | 2 minutes, no restart needed |
You can now print from Outlook without crashes by maintaining a clean printer driver. For ongoing stability, check for driver updates in Windows Update every few months. An advanced tip is to use the Microsoft Print to PDF virtual printer as a test; if it works, the problem is definitely with your physical printer’s driver.