WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
WPS is a secure and simple method for connecting printers and other devices to a wireless router without typing a Wi-Fi password. If your printer and router both support WPS, you can press the WPS button on your router, then press the corresponding button on your printer. This connects the two automatically. It's widely supported on home and small office printers and is often the fastest way to get connected without technical steps.
Spooler
The spooler is a software service that manages print jobs sent from your computer to the printer. It holds the data temporarily in a queue and sends it to the printer one job at a time. If the spooler crashes or freezes, your print jobs can get stuck or lost. Restarting the spooler can often fix printing issues without needing to restart your PC.
Print Queue
The print queue is a list of all documents waiting to be printed. When you click 'Print' on your computer, the file is placed in the queue until the printer is ready. If something gets stuck in the queue — like a document with a corrupted file — it can block everything behind it. Clearing the queue is a common step when troubleshooting.
Driver
A printer driver is the software that tells your computer how to communicate with the printer. It converts data into a format the printer understands. Without the correct driver, print quality can suffer or the printer may not function at all. Always install the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s official website.
Default Printer
This is the printer your computer sends documents to unless you choose another. Setting a default printer streamlines your workflow, especially in environments with multiple devices. You can choose or change the default printer in your operating system’s control panel or settings.