reinstall the printer via printer software disk/CD?

Might clear it up, if not then it may be hardware on the printer.
You can just add a new printer and reinstall the printer to a second "printer" I think. Try that first..

Start > Settings > Printer and faxes

Add a Printer.... pop your cd/disk in... go through the adding a printer thing. Then in wordpad/etc... print to the new printer icon not the old one.

If it works then, then the printer driver/software became corrupted or messed up over time... happens. If not, then.... not really sure besides printer going bad.

Go to start > settings > printer and faxes

Delete the old printer...

Try multiple applications with printing as well, it could possibly be wordpad is weird.

However if you delete your printer from printer/faxes and its some kinda hardware glitch, you might not be able to reacquire the printer for a reinstall, so try adding first.