Android Print Service stuck — clear cache & reset

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Windows 11/10, macOS (Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey), Android, Printers, Networking, Office Equipment

Fix Android printing problems — Print job stuck pending, Default Print Service, HP/Epson/Canon/Brother plugins

Technician

Hey! Let’s clear the Android Print Service stuck issue. Tell me: your phone brand and Android version, the printer brand (HP, Epson, Canon, Brother), connection type (Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi Direct/USB), and whether you use Default Print Service or a plugin like HP Print Service Plugin.

Customer

Pixel with Android 14. HP OfficeJet on Wi-Fi. Using the built-in Default Print Service. Jobs show “printing… pending” and never finish.

Technician

Understood. The Android printing stuck on pending symptom usually comes from:
• Corrupted cache/data in Default Print Service or the vendor’s print service plugin.
• A stale Print Spooler queue from a failed job.
• Network discovery issues (phone on 5 GHz, printer on 2.4 GHz; mDNS blocked).
• Old versions of Google Play services for printing or the plugin.
We’ll clear cache, force stop, and reset printing service, then check network and update the plugin.

Customer

Where exactly do I clear cache for the Android Print Service?

Technician

Clear cache & reset — Android 12/13/14:
1) Settings → Apps → See all apps → tap the menu ⋮ → Show system → open Default Print Service (and any vendor plugin like HP Print Service Plugin).
2) Tap Force stop, then Storage & cache → Clear cache and Clear storage (this resets print settings).
3) Back in Settings → Connected devices → Connection preferences → Printing → toggle Default Print Service Off → On. Try printing again.

Customer

Do I need the HP plugin if I’m using Default Print Service?

Technician

Default Print Service vs vendor plugin: Google’s service can print to many IPP/AirPrint-compatible printers. Some features (duplex presets, ink levels) require a vendor plugin (HP/Epson/Canon/Brother Print Service). If jobs remain stuck, either disable the plugin to test with Default only, or update the plugin in Google Play and try again.

Customer

Still spinning. The job says “preparing”. Anything else to reset?

Technician

Yes — finish the deeper reset:
• Restart the phone and power-cycle the printer (leave off 30 s).
• Ensure both are on the same Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz). Disable VPN and Private DNS temporarily.
• In Printing, remove saved printers and re-discover. For HP, also try the HP Smart app to add the device, then print via Share → Print.
• If using Wi-Fi Direct, connect directly to the printer SSID and retry. This bypasses router discovery issues.

Customer

What about a “no printer found” message in the Share sheet?

Technician

Android cannot find printer fixes:
• Turn on Default Print Service and Nearby devices permissions.
• On the printer, enable Wireless Direct / AirPrint / Bonjour (mDNS).
• Add manually: Printing → Add printer → by IP address (enter the printer’s IP from its network page).
• Update Google Play services for printing and the vendor plugin from Play Store.

Customer

We also use Epson and Canon. Any brand tips for Android?

Technician

Android printing — brand notes:
• HP: Install/refresh HP Print Service Plugin and HP Smart. Toggle plugin Off/On after clear cache.
• Epson: Use Epson Print Enabler; if jobs stall, clear cache and re-discover via the Epson iPrint app.
• Canon: Canon Print Service + Canon PRINT app. Make sure the printer has IJ/IPP enabled.
• Brother: Brother Print Service Plugin + iPrint&Scan. Re-add using the device IP if discovery fails.

Customer

Will clearing storage erase my printers permanently?

Technician

Clearing Storage for the Print Service removes saved printers and preferences only — not your photos or files. After the reset printing service on Android, just re-discover the printer or add by IP. This is the safest way to fix a stuck print job.

Customer

Anything else to try if the queue keeps getting stuck?

Technician

A few pro tips:
• Convert to PDF before printing (Share → Print) to avoid app-specific issues.
• For photos, use the vendor app’s “borderless” mode — it talks to the printer driver directly.
• If your router blocks mDNS/Bonjour, enable multicast or try a Wi-Fi Direct session.
• As a last resort, Reset network settings on the phone (this forgets Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) and re-join Wi-Fi.

Customer

Nice — clearing cache and toggling the service fixed it. Printing works again!

Technician

Summary: If Android Print Service is stuck or print job is pending, force stop the service, clear cache & storage for Default/Vendor Print Service, toggle the service Off/On, update Google Play services for printing, and ensure the phone sees the printer on the same Wi-Fi. Need hands-on help? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when Android Print Service not working / stuck on pending: open Settings → Apps → Show system, Force stop Default Print Service (and any vendor plugin), then Clear cache and Clear storage. Toggle the service Off/On in Settings → Printing, update the plugin in Google Play, and re-discover the printer on the same Wi-Fi network.

FAQ

Step-by-step (Android)

1. Force stop Default Print Service and any vendor plugin (HP/Epson/Canon/Brother).
2. Clear cache and Clear storage for those services.
3. Toggle Settings → Printing Off/On, update plugins in Google Play, and restart the phone & printer.
4. Re-discover the printer or add by IP address; test print from Chrome/Photos.

Step-by-step (Network checks)

1. Confirm phone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi (avoid guest networks/VPN).
2. Enable Bonjour/mDNS on the printer; power-cycle it.
3. Try Wi-Fi Direct if router discovery is blocked.

Sources

• Google — Print from your Android device
• HP — HP Print Service Plugin for Android
• Epson — Print Enabler
• Canon — Canon Print Service
• Brother — Brother Print Service Plugin

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