Fix Printing Problems

Printers are great when they work, but when they don't it can be extremely frustrating. Here's how to solve some of the most common problems, including not printing at all through to blocked nozzles and other issues.

Printers can run reliably for many years and thousands of prints, but they can also malfunction or stop working entirely.

Sometimes the reason is as simple as over- or under use. Many people don’t use their inkjet printers often enough and this can lead to problems with dried-up ink blocking the nozzles. Overuse is less common than misuse: paper clips, hair bands and even food can fall into printers and cause paper jams (and worse). 

If your printer can't be fixed with these tips, check out our list of the best printers to buy.

My printer won’t print

There are many reasons why your printer won't print, so start with the basics such as checking to see whether there is an error message or warning light on the printer. Make sure there is paper in the tray(s), check the ink or toner cartridges aren’t empty, the USB cable is plugged in or the printer is connected to Wi-Fi.

And if it is a network or wireless printer, try using a USB cable instead. In our experience, some Wi-Fi printers are unreliable in terms of their connection. So it's worth unplugging your printer and any powerline network adapters it's connected to, then turning everything back on again.

Fix Printing Problems

Select the following printing problems to diagnose and fix using the HP Print and Scan Doctor:

• Printer Offline
• Print job stuck in Queue
• Cannot Print or other printing problems

Resolving Printer Offline problem using the HP Print and Scan Doctor

1. Download the HP Print and Scan Doctor. If you have already started the download, then continue.
2. Run HPPSdr.exe from the download location on your computer.
3. Once HP Print and Scan Doctor is open, click Start, and then choose your printer.
• If your printer is not listed, turn it on and click Retry.
• If there is a connection problem, follow the instructions in the tool.
4. Click Fix Printing.
5. If you are still facing printer offline problem follow instructions from Step 2

Resolving Print jobs stuck in queue and other printing problems using the HP Print and Scan Doctor

1. Download the HP Print and Scan Doctor
2. Run HPPSdr.exe from the download location on your computer.
3. Once HP Print and Scan Doctor is open, click Start, and then choose your printer.
• If your printer is not listed, turn it on and click Retry.
• If there is a connection problem, follow the instructions in the tool.
4. Click Fix Printing.