"HP printer not printing" is one of the most common errors users face while printing. If you too are facing it, the guidelines below are surely gonna help you a lot. Have a look at the primary causes and easy-to-complete solutions to this issue.
Causes of HP Printer Not Printing
When the HP printer does not print, this can result from various reasons. Connectivity issues, driver issues, wrong configuration settings, etc., are a few causes that stop printers from printing. The other reasons that also contribute to such issues are not setting your printer as default, problems with the ink cartridge, forgetting to remove the tape from the cartridge, etc.
Solutions to Resolve HP Printer Not Printing Issue
If struggling to make your printer print documents, use the below good fixes to troubleshoot the problem.
Solution 1: Perform Basic Troubleshoot
Before starting any major troubleshooting steps, check the connection status of the HP printer and computer. If both devices are set up via a network connection, ensure the ports and IP addresses must align with the printer's configuration. '
Ensure performing the power cycle for both the computer and the printer. The power cycle helps fix any small misconfiguration or any issue with the printer. Switch off both the printer and the computer and remove all the USB cables. Also, pull the power cable from both devices and wait for a few minutes till you reconnect them. After a complete power cycle, ensure the devices are appropriately connected with the USB cables and the power cords.
Solution 2: Check For the Issue in the Ink Cartridge
You all are aware that printers run on cartridges containing ink. Any cartridge malfunction can lead to a printing issue. An issue with the ink cartridge can also prevent the printer from printing. If the printing device has a defective cartridge, try replacing it with a new one. If a counterfeit cartridge is installed in the HP printer, try using the original one of the same brand. A bogus cartridge may harm the printer and cause a printing issue. It would be best to use a genuine and perfectly working cartridge.
Solution 3: Factory Restore Settings For Fixing HP Printer Not Printing Error
All the existing profiles, configurations, and preferences will be deleted when performing the factory settings. You need to reconfigure the entire settings, even the network settings, to connect the HP printer with the computer. You can look into the below steps to perform a factory restore.
- Switch off the HP printer, remove the power cable, and wait for a few minutes.
- Replug the power cable and switch on the printer while pressing the resume button for a few seconds.
- Once the attention light gets turned on, release the resume button. The ready and the attention light will cycle till the printer restores to factory settings.
If the above steps do not work in your printer model, try using the below steps to restore the factory settings.
- Switch on the printing device and remove the power cable. Wait for a few minutes before connecting the printer with power.
- Use the power button to turn on the HP printer and wait until the touchscreen's initial screen appears.
- Wait for the process to complete and restore the settings to the default settings.
Solution 4: Cancel All the Pending/Unnecessary Print Jobs
A filled print queue or unnecessary print jobs sometimes create problems for the printer and prevent them from doing their tasks. You can even try fixing the HP printer not printing problem by canceling the print jobs in the queue. It helps clear the print queue and resolve the issue.
- On the Devices and Printers screen, locate your printer's model and right-click on it.
- From the list, choose "See what's printing." A new window will appear on the screen.
- Tap on the Printer option at the top-left corner of the new window and choose "Cancel All Documents."
- It will cancel all the jobs that are lined up in the print queue. Now, whether the printer is working correctly or not.
Solution 5: Update the Old HP Printer Driver
A faulty or old driver can also be the cause of the HP printer, not a printing error. To update the printer driver, use the below helpful steps.
- On the Device Manager window, expand the Print Queue section and choose "Uninstall Device."
- Select the first option of the Device Manager window and right-click on it. Click on "Scan for hardware changes." A new printer driver will automatically get installed.
You can also use the below steps to update the outdated printer driver:
- First, find the printer driver using the above steps, right-click on it, and choose "Update driver."
- Click on the first option to automatically update the driver software. Follow the instructions and complete the process to update the printer driver.
