HP Printer Not Printing? 10 Fixes That Work (Windows & Mac)
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 10 fixes in order from quickest to most thorough. For HP offline errors specifically, see our printer offline fix guide.
Fix 1: Restart Printer and Computer
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. This clears temporary communication errors that accumulate during normal use.
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. Right-click each stuck job and select Cancel. If jobs will not cancel, press Windows + R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click → Restart, then try cancelling again. Once the queue is clear, try a fresh test print.
Fix 3: Run HP Print and Scan Doctor
HP provides a free diagnostic tool specifically for printing problems. 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 is genuinely effective — run this before attempting manual fixes if you prefer a guided approach.
Fix 4: Check Ink Levels
HP printers refuse to print when any cartridge is critically low or not detected. Open HP Smart app or the printer's control panel to check ink levels. If a cartridge shows empty or not detected, remove it, gently shake it, and firmly reseat it. Sometimes the ink sensor loses contact and reseating resolves it. For strategies to reduce ink costs see our guide to saving money on printer ink.
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. Also turn off "Let Windows manage my default printer" in the same settings page — this setting can override your preference and redirect jobs to another printer automatically.
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Outdated drivers are a leading cause of HP printing failures after Windows updates.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. See our complete driver installation guide for detailed steps.
Fix 7: Disable Firewall Temporarily
Windows Firewall or third-party security software sometimes blocks HP printer communication over the network. 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 permanently.
Fix 8: Check HP Printer Status Page
Type your printer's IP address into a web browser to access its built-in status page. 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 is actually wrong when other error messages are vague.
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 need to reconnect to WiFi afterwards — see our WiFi setup guide — but this often clears persistent printing issues caused by corrupted network or settings configuration.
Fix 10: Uninstall and Reinstall Completely
Remove all HP software via 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 and individual fixes cannot. If you are considering replacing your HP printer, see our best home printers guide for current top picks.