HP printer won’t print? Here are 6 proven ways to fix it

When an HP printer won't print from Windows, clear and restart the Print Spooler service first, because a stuck spooler blocks every job behind it.

If that fails, the six fixes below run from software to hardware: the spooler, HP Print and Scan Doctor, printer errors, the driver, a clean reinstall and a hardware check.

Restart the spooler service

The Print Spooler is the Windows service that manages print jobs. Clearing its files removes the job that is holding up the queue, and you can also cancel a stuck print job on its own.

1. In the taskbar search box, type services and select Services.
2. Double-click Print Spooler in the list.
3. Select Stop, then select OK.
4. In the taskbar search box, type %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers, open that folder and delete all the files in it.
5. Open Services again and double-click Print Spooler.
6. Select Start, set Startup type to Automatic, and select OK.
7. Send a test print.

HP printer not printing: match the symptom to the fix

What you see	Start with	Why
Jobs sit in the queue and never print	Restart the spooler service	A stuck job blocks the jobs behind it
Printer shows offline or is not found	Run HP Print and Scan Doctor	It checks discovery and connection problems
"Printer in error state" or a light blinks on the printer	Check for printer errors	Paper, ink, an open cover or a jam stops printing
Printing broke after a Windows update or new PC	Install the printer driver	A missing or mismatched driver cannot talk to the printer
Nothing above worked	Set up the printer from scratch	Removes a damaged printer entry and port
Printer will not power on, grinds or fails on every device	Check for hardware defects	The fault is in the printer, not Windows

Run HP Print and Scan Doctor

HP Print and Scan Doctor is HP's diagnostic tool for Windows. It looks for printer discovery, print queue and driver problems and offers fixes.

1. Get HP Print and Scan Doctor from HP's own support site, not a download portal.
2. Open the tool and select your printer from the list.
3. Run the printing check and let it apply the fixes it offers.
4. Print a test page when it finishes.

On Windows 11 you can also run the printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app, which runs Microsoft's own diagnostics for printing problems.

Check for printer errors

A status of "Printer in error state" usually means a problem at the printer itself. Clear it before changing anything in Windows.

1. Turn the printer off, unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in and turn it on.
2. Read the control panel display or status lights for an error message.
3. Load paper in the tray and check the ink or toner level.
4. Close every cover and access door.
5. Open the paper path and remove any jammed paper.
6. For a USB printer, reseat the cable at both ends; for a wireless printer, make sure wireless is on and the PC is on the same network, then find the printer on your network to confirm Windows can see it.

You can also check the HP ink levels from the printer or the HP app before you buy new cartridges.

Install the printer driver

Most printers need the current driver to work well. Windows Update can supply one, and HP's site carries the full driver for each model, which the HP Smart app can also install.

1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update and install pending updates, including optional driver updates.
2. Find your exact printer model number on the label or the control panel.
3. Get the driver for that model from HP's support site.
4. Install it, restart the PC, and print a test page.

Setup printer from scratch

Removing and re-adding the printer clears a broken printer entry, wrong port or stale driver choice.

1. Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select the HP printer, select Remove, then select Yes.
3. Make sure the printer is on and connected, then select Add device (or Refresh).
4. Select Add device next to the printer when it appears.
5. If it does not appear, select Add manually, choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, pick the port, then choose Windows Update to load the driver list.
6. Select HP and your model, name the printer and select Print a test page.

Check for hardware defects

If the printer fails from every PC and phone, the fault is the printer. Test it without Windows involved.

1. Print a report or configuration page from the printer's own control panel.
2. Try a different USB cable and port, or a different Wi-Fi network for a wireless model.
3. Print from a second device to rule out the PC.
4. If the printer cannot print its own report, contact HP support with the error message and model number.

How to print a test page on an HP printer in Windows

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select the HP printer.
3. Select Print test page.
4. Confirm the page prints and the printer status shows no error.

HP printer offline, stuck in queue or spooler not running

HP printer shows offline

The PC and printer lost their connection, often a different Wi-Fi network or a sleeping printer.

1. Restart the printer and the router.
2. Connect the PC to the same network as the printer.
3. Remove and re-add the printer in Printers & scanners.

Print job stuck in queue

One damaged job holds the spooler.

1. Stop Print Spooler in Services.
2. Delete the files in %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers.
3. Start the service again.

Print spooler service not running

The service is stopped or set to manual.

1. Open Services and double-click Print Spooler.
2. Set Startup type to Automatic.
3. Select Start, then OK.

Printer not found when adding it

Windows cannot see the printer on the port or network it searches.

1. Turn on the printer's wireless and run its wireless connectivity test.
2. Use Add manually and pick the port or enter the printer's address.

Paper jams, faded prints and other common HP printing problems each have their own fixes.

HP printer won't print FAQ

Why is my HP printer not printing?

The usual causes are a stuck Print Spooler, the printer being offline, a printer error such as no paper or a jam, or a missing driver. Restart the spooler first, then check the printer's display.

How do I restart the Print Spooler?

Open Services, double-click Print Spooler, select Stop, delete the files in %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers, then select Start with Startup type set to Automatic.

What does HP Print and Scan Doctor fix?

HP Print and Scan Doctor is HP's Windows diagnostic tool. It checks printer discovery, print queue and driver problems and offers to fix them.

What does "Printer in error state" mean?

It points to a problem at the printer itself. Check for low paper or ink, an open cover or a paper jam, then power cycle the printer.

Do I need to reinstall the HP printer driver?

Reinstall it if printing stopped after a Windows update, a new PC or a driver error. Get the driver for your exact model from HP's support site or Windows Update.

Why does my HP printer show offline?

The PC cannot reach the printer, often because they are on different Wi-Fi networks or the printer is asleep. Restart both, join the same network and re-add the printer if needed.

How do I know if my HP printer is broken?

Print a report from the printer's own control panel. If it cannot print that, or fails from every device, the fault is in the printer and HP support is the next step.