HP Printer Not Printing? 10 Fixes That Actually Work
HP is the world's most popular printer brand — which means HP printing problems are searched millions of times a day. If your HP printer is connected but not printing, work through these fixes in order.
Fix 1: Restart Printer and Computer
It sounds basic but resolves 30% of HP printing issues. Turn the printer off completely (not just sleep), unplug the power cord for 60 seconds, plug back in, turn on. Then restart your computer. Try printing again before moving to other fixes.
Fix 2: Check the Print Queue
A stuck print job blocks everything behind it. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → your HP printer → Open print queue. If there are jobs stuck in the queue, right-click each and select Cancel. If jobs won't cancel, search for Services in the Start menu, find Print Spooler, right-click → Restart, then try cancelling again.
Fix 3: Run HP Print and Scan Doctor
HP provides a free diagnostic tool specifically for this problem. Download HP Print and Scan Doctor from hp.com/go/tools. Run it, select your printer, and click Fix Printing. This automated tool fixes the most common HP printing issues including offline errors, driver problems, and communication failures. It's genuinely effective and worth running before anything else.
Fix 4: Check Ink Levels
HP printers refuse to print when ink is critically low or a cartridge is not detected. Open HP Smart app or go to the printer's control panel to check ink levels. If a cartridge shows empty or not detected, remove and firmly reseat it. Sometimes simply removing and replacing a cartridge resolves the "not printing" issue even when ink levels appear fine.
Fix 5: Set as Default Printer
Your computer may be sending print jobs to a different printer. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → click your HP printer → Set as default. Alternatively, disable the Windows feature that manages default printers automatically: in Printers & scanners settings, scroll down and turn off "Let Windows manage my default printer".
Fix 6: Update HP Drivers
Outdated drivers are a leading cause of HP printing failures after Windows updates. Go to support.hp.com, enter your printer model, download the latest Full Feature Software and Drivers package. Uninstall existing HP software via Control Panel → Programs first, restart, then install the fresh download.
Fix 7: Disable Firewall Temporarily
Windows Firewall or third-party security software sometimes blocks HP printer communication. Temporarily disable your firewall and try printing. If it works, add an exception for HP software in your firewall settings rather than leaving it disabled.
Fix 8: Check HP Printer Status Page
Type your printer's IP address into a web browser to access its built-in status page. You'll find the IP on the printer's display or by printing a network configuration page (hold the wireless button for 3 seconds). The status page shows connection status, ink levels, and any error codes — useful for diagnosing what's actually wrong.
Fix 9: Restore Printer Factory Settings
On your HP printer: press and hold the Wireless button and Cancel button together for 3 seconds. This resets all network settings. You'll need to reconnect to WiFi afterwards but often clears persistent printing issues caused by corrupted settings.
Fix 10: Uninstall and Reinstall Completely
Remove all HP software: Control Panel → Programs → uninstall everything HP. Restart. Download the complete HP software package from support.hp.com for your exact model. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard. This full reinstall resolves persistent issues that partial updates can't fix.