A Xerox printer in an error state means that something is not working well inside it. Whenever this happens, the printer will show a message on the computer, such as “printer in error state,” “Error-printing,” “printer not responding,” or “the printer can’t be found.” It can also show error messages, like “printer error” or “service needed” and will fail to print your documents. However, there is nothing to be concerned about, as there are many ways to fix it. 

Basic Troubleshooting 

Method 1: Restart Computer and Printer

To start fixing a Xerox printer in an error state, you need to start from the basics. Therefore, restart your devices first.  

Step 1: Restart the Xerox Printer F

1. Press and hold the power button on the printer to turn it off. 
2. Then, disconnect its cable from the power switch on the wall. 
3. Now, wait for 1-2 minutes and re-plug the power cable to the power switch on the wall. 
4. Press and hold the power button on the printer to turn it on. 

Step 2: Restart the Computer 

1. Click the Windows Start icon on the taskbar at the bottom left. 
2. Then, click the power button and select Restart. 

Check if the error message disappears from the printer’s screen. If not, check out more methods. 

Method 2: Check the Connection 

When the printer’s connection is weak, it can cause the printer to enter an error state. So, it’s a must to check the connection. 

For USB Connection 

1. First, check if the USB cables are securely connected to the USB port of your printer and computer. 
2. Try changing the USB ports of the cable to fix the issue. 
3. If you find the USB cable broken or damaged, replace it with a new one. 

For WiFi Connection 

1. Go to the Home screen of your Xerox printer on its display. 
2. Then, navigate to the Settings option, which can also be found as System Settings or Device Settings. 
3. Now, click the Reports or Information Pages option. 
4. Select the Network Configuration reports. 
5. Select Print and then OK. 

This method is for the Xerox printers with a touchscreen. But if your printer doesn’t have a touchscreen, you can use the buttons to find the configuration settings easily. 

Advanced Troubleshooting 

When the printer is still in an error state, you need to follow the advanced methods to fix it. Let’s check what these methods are. 

Method 1: Update the Printer Drivers

When printer drivers for your Xerox printer are not updated, it can cause problems. Printer drivers are the software that set up communication between your printer and computer. So, when you send a document, your printer recognizes it. Hence, you must update the printer drivers using the following steps. 

Step 1: Download

1. Open an internet browser like Chrome or Firefox and navigate to xerox.com. 
2. Select the Support option from the tabs at the top. 
3. Select the Support & Drivers option. 
4. Scroll down and type your Xerox printer model in the search field. 
5. You’ll see a list of links. Click the link for printer drivers. 
6. Select your operating system on the new screen, and then check the agreement box below to download drivers. 

Step 2: Install: 

1. Once the driver file is downloaded to your computer, go to the Downloads folder. 
2. Double-click on the saved file. 
3. A prompt will ask you if you want to run this software. Click Yes to allow. 
4. Let the installation process run and finish completely. 

Note: Don’t turn off your devices during that time. If this method doesn’t fix your problem, check out the next method. 

Method 2: Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows Troubleshooter is a feature on your Windows system that detects and fixes problems automatically. If the other methods don’t work for you, this method can work. So, let’s check how to run this feature: 

1. On your desktop, go to the bottom-left corner and click the Start menu icon. 
2. Then, search for the Printers & Scanners option. Select it from the results and open it. 
3. Now, select your Xerox printer from the screen and click Manage. 
4. Select the Run the Troubleshooter option. 

Let it detect the problem with your printer and resolve it automatically.