[Fix] Print Pictures Wizard Not Opening or Working in Windows 10

When we want to take a printout of a file in Windows, we just right-click on the file and select “Print” option. Similarly when we try to take printout of an image/picture by right-clicking on it and selecting “Print” option, the default “Print Pictures” wizard is launched by Windows where we can select/change several settings and options such as printer, paper size, quality, layout, number of copies to print, zoom level, etc.

Following image shows the print pictures wizard shown by Windows:

Print_Pictures_Wizard_Windows_10.png

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Sometimes when a user tries to print a picture, the print pictures wizard is not displayed by Windows 10. The picture is directly sent for print to the printer. Recently an AskVG reader “tshk” contacted us regarding this problem:

Suddenly the Print Pictures Wizard (right click on a picture or a few pictures, and selecting Print) is not working, the prints are sent straight to the printer. Ideas? Thanks.

This issue is common in Windows operating system. Many times the print pictures wizard is not shown and the pictures are sent straight to the printer for printout.

The reason behind this problem is the incorrect selection of default photo viewer app in Windows. I have noticed that if “Paint” app is selected as default photo viewer app, the print pictures wizard is not shown. If we select a different program as default photo viewer, Windows starts showing print pictures wizard.

So there is some issue/bug in Paint app which prevents print pictures wizard from launching.

If you are also facing this issue and want to restore print pictures wizard in your Windows device, you just change the default photo viewer program and it’ll fix the issue.

You can solve this problem using following steps:

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1. Open Settings app from Start Menu or by pressing WIN+I keys together.

2. Now go to “Apps -> Default apps” section.

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:defaultapps” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

3. In right-side pane, select “Windows Photo Viewer” as default Photo viewer app as shown in following screenshot:

Set_Photos_Default_Windows_Photo_Viewer_App_Windows_10.png

PS: If you can’t see Windows Photo Viewer in the list, you’ll need to restore it. Following tutorial will help you in restoring Windows Photo Viewer program in Windows 10:

[Tip] Restoring “Windows Photo Viewer” as Default in Windows 10

That’s it. As soon as you set Windows Photo Viewer as default photo viewer app in Windows, it’ll restore the print pictures wizard. Now whenever you right-click on an image and select Print option, you’ll get the print pictures wizard without any problem.

UPDATE: If you are facing printer related problems in Windows 10 such as blank or partially printed papers are coming out from printer or getting blue screens while trying to print, following article will help you in fixing the issue:

[Fix] Blank or Partial Printed Papers Coming out from Printer in Windows 10

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Sir
    How to customize print pictures wizard settings. I want set some setting for A5 SIZE PAPER. Like 1. two images in A5 SHEET WITH 2.12*3.38 SIZE. I am using windows 7 64bit
    2. eight images in A5 SHEET WITH passport size photos

  2. For windows7 .. To fix Print Picture Wizard settings (and remove MS Paint as default).. Right click any picture and select Open With then on Choose Default Program .. select Windows Photo Viewer as the new Default Program .. remember to SAVE IT… to save click Choose Defaults for this program .. i selected all extentions .. then Save it on bottom right hand ..

  3. Yes that is exactly my problem and its a fairly recent one as I always have paint as my default for .jpg files. Until recently it used to open the “Print Pictures window”. Now I just get a best guess full page, waste of ink! Well done microsoft .

  4. as of 16/03/21 the Print Pictures Wizard is not working on any Windows 10 version pc in my group. The dialogue behaves as normal but when the file is received at the printer it comes out blank or partially printed. This happens on all printers. The MS Photo viewer print dialogue DOES work however. We have just installed Windows updates KB4589211, KB4601556, KB4577586. Is there a known issue and how can I fix it?

  5. Been having the same issues as Elaine and it has also begun around the same time period. All 5 of our PCs have the same issue. MS Photo viewer print dialogue works with no errors but around 60-70% of the print is blank. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  6. Same as Elaine and Dylan. Part of the pictures doesn’t print when going through the Print Pictures wizard. But it prints fine when using the print option in the Photo viewer.
    I need the print pictures wizard to function, as that’s what we use at work to be able to print several images on one page.

  7. I have same issue with dylan and elaine, ive trying reset the setting and restore default printer setting but still same result, received file still partially printed or blank on the middle

  8. THANK YOU! This issue was driving me crazy. Paint was set as my default and I would only get the wizard if I selected 16 or more photos. If I selected less than 16 photos it would send it directly to the printer. This solved it, changed the default app and now I get the wizard every time no matter how many pictures are selected.

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