Fix Microsoft Edge Printing Wrong Printer

If Microsoft Edge sends print jobs to the wrong printer, the fix is usually to set your default printer in Windows Settings and then clear Edge’s cached printer list. This article explains why Edge sometimes picks the wrong device, how to correct it in a few minutes, and how to prevent it from happening again.

Why Edge Prints to the Wrong Printer

Edge uses the Windows default printer setting for most print jobs, but it also keeps its own list of recently used printers. When you open the print dialog (Ctrl+P), Edge shows the last printer you selected in that browser session, not necessarily the one you want. If you have multiple printers installed—a home inkjet, a work laser, a network copier—Edge may default to the last one used or to the one Windows marks as the system default. Another common cause is a stale printer driver or a printer that was removed but still appears in Edge’s cached list.

How to Set the Correct Default Printer in Windows

The quickest way to force Edge to use the printer you want is to set that printer as the default in Windows. Here are the steps for Windows 10 and Windows 11:

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners (Windows 11) or Devices > Printers & scanners (Windows 10).
3. Find the printer you want to use, click it, and select Set as default.
4. Close Settings and restart Edge.

If the “Set as default” button is greyed out, you may have the “Let Windows manage my default printer” option enabled. Turn that off in the same settings page, then set your preferred printer manually.

Clear Edge’s Cached Printer List

Even after setting the Windows default, Edge may still show an old or wrong printer because it caches printer information. To clear that cache:

1. Open Edge and type edge://settings/privacy in the address bar.
2. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
3. Select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data (optional, but helps).
4. Click Clear now.
5. Close Edge completely and reopen it.

Alternatively, you can go to edge://settings/print and toggle off “Use system default printer” if you want Edge to always ask you which printer to use. That way, it will never silently pick the wrong one.

Remove and Re-add the Printer

If the wrong printer still appears, the printer driver may be corrupted or the printer may be listed multiple times. Removing and reinstalling the printer often fixes this:

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Click the problematic printer and select Remove.
3. Click Add device to re-add it. If it’s a network printer, you may need to install the driver again.
4. Restart your computer and try printing from Edge again.

Check for Driver and Firmware Updates

Outdated or incompatible printer drivers are a frequent cause of wrong-printer behavior. Check your printer manufacturer’s support site for the latest driver for your Windows version. You can also use Windows Update to check for optional driver updates:

1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
2. Look for any printer driver updates and install them.
3. Restart your PC.

Use the Print Dialog’s Printer Dropdown

Sometimes the simplest fix is to manually select the correct printer each time you print. In Edge’s print dialog, click the printer dropdown and choose the one you want. Edge remembers this selection for the next time you print, so it will usually stick until you change it. If you have a preferred printer for most jobs, set it as the default and also select it in Edge’s print dialog once—after that, Edge should use it consistently.

When Edge Still Prints to the Wrong Printer

If none of the above works, try these additional steps:

• Restart the Print Spooler service: Open Services (search for “services.msc”), find Print Spooler, right-click and select Restart.
• Run the Windows Printer troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Printer.
• Reset Edge settings: Go to edge://settings/reset and click Restore settings to their default values. This clears all cached data, including printer settings, but also resets your homepage and search engine.
• Check if the issue occurs in other browsers. If it does, the problem is likely with Windows or the printer driver, not Edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Edge always print to the last printer I used?

Edge stores the last printer you selected in its profile. This is a convenience feature, but it can override the Windows default. To change it, simply select the correct printer in the print dialog once, and Edge will remember it.

Can I make Edge always ask me which printer to use?

Yes. Go to edge://settings/print and turn off “Use system default printer.” Edge will then show the print dialog with the last used printer, but you can change it each time. There is no setting to force a pop-up every time, but turning off the system default ensures it doesn’t silently pick one.

Why does my printer show up twice in Edge’s list?

This usually happens when the printer is installed both as a local driver and as a network printer, or when multiple drivers are installed for the same model. Remove the duplicate entries in Windows Settings > Printers & scanners, keeping only one.

Will clearing Edge’s cache delete my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Clearing cached images and files and cookies will not affect bookmarks, passwords, or other saved data. It only removes temporary files that help pages load faster.

Does this issue affect Microsoft Edge on Mac?

Yes, Edge on Mac also uses the system default printer and can cache printer selections. The fix is similar: set the default printer in System Settings > Printers & Scanners, and clear Edge’s cache via edge://settings/clearBrowserData.

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