Has your HP printer stopped working all of a sudden? Are you getting an "HP Printer in error state" message on the computer screen? You have observed that when the print process fails, an error message may be received on the computer screen. Due to this problem, does the printer have difficulty operating the printing tasks? This issue is not only limited to HP but also to other brands.

HP printers offer incredible printing solutions and are trusted by millions of users worldwide. Its latest print technology and advanced features make it perfect for quality printing and suitable for home and the workplace. However, people using HP printers also encounter errors and problems like "HP Printer in error state." Whenever a message is received on the computer screen saying the same thing, first put some effort into identifying the cause and then use troubleshooting methods to resolve it. 

Causes of Why is the Printer in an Error State

There can be a connectivity issue, or the HP printer is not in an active state. Alternatively, other problems, such as paper jamming or low ink, can cause the printer to give an "HP Printer in error state" message. Some situations that also result in this printer error message issue include the following. 

• The system has a corrupted printer driver. 
• The USB cables are not inserted into the correct ports. 
• An issue with the BIOS, or virus, or malware attacks. 
• A change in the system's permission settings. 

Are any recent software changes interfering with the connection between the printer and the computer? 

Solutions to Fix the HP Printer in Error State Problem

Solution 1: Make Changes to the Ports Settings

Incorrect port settings can create an issue with the printer and bring the "Printer In Error State" message to the computer. Below are the steps to change and ensure correct port settings. 

1. From the Windows logo button, make the Run box appear on the computer screen. 
2. Type devmgmt.msc under the Open section of the Run box and click on OK. 
3. It will open the Device Manager window. Locate the View menu and click on it. 
4. After clicking on View, a list of options will appear. Choose "Show hidden devices." 
5. Select the "Ports (COM & LPT)" option, right-click on it, and choose Properties. 
6. Under the Properties window, go to the Port Settings tab and choose the "Use any interrupt assigned to the port" option. 
7. Checkmark on the "Enable legacy Plug and Play Detection" option box and hit the OK button. 
8. Finally, restart the computer to save the changes and check if the issue has been fixed. 

Solution 2: Ensure the HP Printer Is In Online Mode

HP printer in an error state may occur when the printer is not in active mode or not online. Due to this, print commands from the computer are not received by the printer, resulting in an error message. 

1. On the system, find the Control Panel and open the area with a list of options to adjust computer settings. 
2. Choose the Devices and Printers category from the list and check whether the HP printer is listed or not. 
3. Now, verify the printer status and ensure it is online and in Ready mode. If the printer is not online, you must bring it to the online mode. 
4. To make the printer go from offline mode to online, right-click on the printer's icon and pick the option "Use Printer Online." 

Solution 3: Set Print Spooler to Automatic and Clear Its Files

The Print Spooler service ensures the proper running of the printer. Sometimes, the print spooler function improperly, requiring changing its settings. Any issue with the print spooler may cause the HP Printer in Error State problem. To resolve this problem, check that the Startup Type setting of the Print Spooler is set to Automatic using the steps below. 

1. Search and open the Windows Services screen and find the Print Spooler option. 
2. Scroll down to view the Print Spooler option, right-click on it, and select Properties. 
3. After that, from the drop-down menu, choose and set Startup Type as Automatic
4. Click Apply and then OK. Now, close all the running windows and reboot the computer. 

Also, ensure clearing the print files that get stored on the computer. Follow the instructions below to remove the Print Spooler files and resolve the issue. 

Open the computer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. A list of files will appear in the Printers folder. Select all of them, right-click, and hit delete. It will remove the entire file from the folder. 
Also, move to the C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\W32X86 location on the computer. Select and delete all files present in the folder. 
Now, on the Services window, find and right-click the Print Spooler. Choose to restart the service.