Whether you are printing from home or printing documents that are crucial for use, there is nothing more exasperating than when your HP printer won’t print when it is properly connected with your computer. Having twice double-checked the cables and configurations, but still asking, “Why will not my HP printer print?” — this tutorial is for you.
Let’s go through a step-by-step process of elimination to have your HP printer printing in silky smooth style.
1. Check the Connection: Wired or Wireless?
Check that your HP printer is properly connected to your computer prior to checking for software problems.
For USB Connections:
- Make sure that the cable is securely inserted into the printer and the USB port on your computer.
- Test another USB port to eliminate port problems.
- Check cable or port damage.
For Wireless Connections:
- Make sure your printer and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart the router and printer to reboot the connection.
- Perform HP’s in-built wireless test to check connectivity and signal strength.
In many cases, the easy fix for the ‘my HP printer wont print‘ issue is loose network connectivity and incompatible cable.
2. Make Your HP Printer Default
At other times, your computer will continue printing to another or offline printer.
To resolve this:
- Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
- Right-click on your HP printer and select Set as default printer.
- Attempt to print a test page.
Making your HP printer the default ensures that your computer is sending print directions to the correct device.
3. Clear the Print Queue
A stuck print job can prevent all new jobs from being processed. This is a common cause of the HP printer won’t print issues.
To clear the queue:
- Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
- Double-click your HP printer icon.
- Right-click on any queued job and select Cancel.
Once the queue is clear, restart the printer and your computer.
This simple step can fix more printing problems than you’d expect.
4. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers may be the cause of your HP printer not printing when it is connected.
Steps to update drivers:
- Go to the Official HP Support Website.
- Type in your printer model and download new drivers.
- Install them and restart your PC.
If it still fails to work, remove the printer from your PC, reboot, and install drivers with no junk.
5. Run the HP Print and Scan Doctor
HP has a free diagnostic software named HP Print and Scan Doctor that can identify and automatically fix typical problems.
How it works:
- Download the software from HP’s website.
- Run it and choose your printer.
- Let the software perform a diagnosis and install suggested fixes.
This software will fix the majority of the problems such as connectivity problems, spooler problems, and missing drivers — all the usual suspects when your HP printer isn’t printing.
6. Restart the Print Spooler Service
The Print Spooler is a Windows service that handles your print jobs. If it’s not functioning properly, your HP printer won’t print.
How to restart it:
- Windows + R, type in services.msc, and press Enter.
- Look for Print Spooler in the list.
- Right-click and select Restart.
This provides the printing process with a fresh start.
7. Check for Error Messages on the Printer Screen
HP printers may have some error messages or flash lights that will direct you directly to the issue:
- Low ink/toner warning
- Paper jam
- Tray empty
- Offline status
See your HP printer user manual or model-specific support page for further assistance.
Last Words
If your HP printer won’t print after you’ve plugged it into your computer, it can feel like a tech enigma — but with these steps, you’ll be able to diagnose the problem in no more than minutes. From ensuring the connections are secure to updating the drivers and flushing the print queue, these tips address the most probable causes of the problem.
If everything else fails, try to reach HP customer service or a local repair person in case the printer is still under warranty.
More help needed to set up your printer or fix pesky problems? Bookmark PrinterNotWorking for fast fixes, expert fixes, and printer troubleshooting tips that work.