Having a printer in error state can be frustrating. However, there are simple steps you can take to fix the issue and get your printer back up and running smoothly.
Check Printer Connections and Restart Devices
To fix a printer in an error state, one of the first things you should check is the printer connections and restart your devices. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:
1. Check the connections:
– Ensure that the printer is properly connected to your computer or network. Make sure the cables are securely plugged in and not damaged.
– If you are using a USB connection, try using a different USB port on your computer.
– For network printers, ensure that the printer is connected to the network and that your computer is connected to the same network.
2. Restart your devices:
– Turn off both your printer and computer.
– Unplug the power cords from both devices.
– Wait for about 30 seconds, then plug the power cords back in.
– Turn on your printer first and wait for it to fully initialize.
– Turn on your computer and wait for it to boot up completely.
3. Update or reinstall printer drivers:
– Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause errors. Visit the manufacturer’s website (such as HP, Epson, or Canon) and search for the latest drivers for your printer model.
– Download and install the updated drivers according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
– If you already have the latest drivers installed, try reinstalling them to ensure they are properly configured.
4. Run a printer troubleshooter:
– Windows 10 has a built-in printer troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common printer issues.
– Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
– Select “Update & Security” and then click on “Troubleshoot” in the left sidebar.
– Scroll down and click on “Printer” under “Find and fix other problems.”
– Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.
5. Check for malware or software conflicts:
– Malware or conflicting software can interfere with printer operations. Run a thorough scan of your computer using reliable antivirus software.
– If any malware is detected, follow the software’s instructions to remove it.
– Disable any recently installed software that may be causing conflicts with the printer.
By checking printer connections and restarting your devices, you can often resolve common printer errors. If the issue persists, you may need to consult the manufacturer’s support or seek professional assistance.
Ensure Printer is Online
To ensure that your printer is online and ready to print, follow these steps:
1. Check the printer’s connection: Make sure that your printer is properly connected to your computer or network. Verify that the USB cable or network cable is securely plugged into both the printer and the computer or router. If you are using a wireless printer, ensure that it is connected to your Wi-Fi network.
2. Restart the printer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connection issues. Turn off your printer, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on. This can help refresh the printer’s connection and clear any temporary glitches.
3. Check the printer’s status: Open the Control Panel on your computer and navigate to the “Devices and Printers” section. Look for your printer and check its status. If it is offline or in an error state, right-click on the printer and select “See what’s printing.” This will open the print queue window.
4. Clear the print queue: In the print queue window, click on “Printer” from the top menu and select “Cancel All Documents.” This will clear any pending print jobs that may be causing the error state.
5. Restart the print spooler service: The print spooler is a service that manages print jobs on your computer. If it encounters any issues, it can lead to printer errors. To restart the print spooler service, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “services.msc” and hit Enter. In the Services window, locate the “Print Spooler” service, right-click on it, and select “Restart.”
6. Update or reinstall printer driver: Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can also cause printer errors. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your printer model. Alternatively, you can also try uninstalling the printer driver from the Device Manager and then reinstalling it.
7. Run the Windows Troubleshooter: Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooting tool that can automatically detect and fix printer issues. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, go to “Update & Security,” and select “Troubleshoot” from the left sidebar. Click on “Printer” under the “Find and fix other problems” section and follow the on-screen instructions.
Remember, each printer model and manufacturer may have slightly different troubleshooting steps, so it’s always a good idea to consult your printer’s manual or the manufacturer’s support website for specific instructions.
Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
1. Identify the printer model and manufacturer. This information is usually found on the front or top of the printer.
2. Visit the manufacturer’s website. Look for a “Support” or “Downloads” section. Find the page for your specific printer model.
3. Locate the latest driver for your printer. Download it to your computer. Make sure to choose the driver that matches your operating system.
4. Once the driver is downloaded, locate the file on your computer and double-click it to start the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
5. If you are prompted to restart your computer after the installation, do so.
6. After restarting, connect your printer to your computer using a USB cable or a network connection, depending on the printer model.
7. Windows will automatically detect the printer and attempt to install the necessary drivers. If it fails to do so, follow these additional steps:
a. Open the Control Panel on your computer by searching for it in the Start menu.
b. In the Control Panel, click on “Devices and Printers” or “Printers and Scanners.”
c. Find your printer in the list of devices. Right-click on it and select “Properties.”
d. In the Properties window, click on the “Hardware” or “General” tab.
e. Click on “Update Driver” or “Update Driver Software.”
f. Choose the option to “Browse my computer for driver software.”
g. Navigate to the location where you downloaded the printer driver earlier. Select the driver file and click “Next” to begin the installation.
8. Once the driver installation is complete, your printer should be ready to use. Test it by printing a test page or document.
Run Printer Troubleshooter
To run the printer troubleshooter, follow these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel on your computer. You can do this by searching for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar.
2. In the Control Panel, click on “Devices and Printers” or “Printers and Scanners,” depending on your version of Windows.
3. Locate your printer in the list of devices. If you have multiple printers connected, choose the one that is giving you the error.
4. Right-click on your printer and select “Troubleshoot” from the drop-down menu.
5. The printer troubleshooter will now open and begin scanning for any issues. It will automatically detect and fix common problems.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the troubleshooter. These instructions may include restarting your printer, checking for paper jams, or reinstalling the printer driver.
7. Once the troubleshooter has completed its scan and made any necessary repairs, it will display a summary of the issues found and fixed.
8. Close the troubleshooter and try printing again to see if the error state has been resolved.
If the printer troubleshooter was unable to fix the issue or if you continue to experience problems, there may be a more complex underlying problem with your printer. In this case, it may be necessary to consult the printer’s user manual or contact the manufacturer’s customer support for further assistance.
Modify Ports Settings
- Access the Control Panel.
- Click on “Devices and Printers”.
- Right-click on your printer.
- Select “Printer properties”.
- Navigate to the “Ports” tab.
- Uncheck the option “Enable bidirectional support” if checked.
- Click on “Apply” to save the changes.
- Restart your computer.
Restart and Set Print Spooler Service
To restart and set the Print Spooler service, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” (without quotes) and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate the “Print Spooler” service.
4. Right-click on the “Print Spooler” service and select “Restart” from the context menu. If the service is already stopped, click on “Start” instead.
5. Once the service has restarted or started, right-click on it again and select “Properties” from the context menu.
6. In the Properties window, ensure that the Startup type is set to “Automatic”. This will ensure that the Print Spooler service starts automatically whenever you start your computer.
7. Click on the “Apply” button, then click on “OK” to save the changes.
Restarting and setting the Print Spooler service can help resolve various printer-related issues, including the “Printer in Error State” error. The Print Spooler service is responsible for managing all print jobs in the print queue. If this service is not running or is encountering errors, it can prevent your printer from functioning correctly.
By following the steps above, you can quickly restart the Print Spooler service and ensure it starts automatically in the future. This can help resolve printer errors and get your printer back to a working state.
It’s important to note that if you continue to experience issues with your printer, it may be worth checking for any other underlying problems such as outdated or incompatible device drivers, connectivity issues, or hardware problems. You can also try updating your printer’s firmware or contacting the printer manufacturer for further assistance.
Remember to always check for error messages or consult the printer’s user manual for specific troubleshooting steps related to your printer model. Additionally, if you’re using a mobile app to print, ensure that you have a stable network connection and that the app is up to date.
To summarize, restarting and setting the Print Spooler service can help fix printer errors and get your printer back to a working state. Follow the steps provided above to quickly resolve the “Printer in Error State” issue.
FAQ
How do I fix HP printer error mode?
To fix HP printer error mode, you can start by checking the physical connections to your computer. Ensure that your printer is online and that you have loaded paper into the printer. If the issue persists, try reinstalling the printer drivers.
How do I get rid of HP printer errors?
To get rid of HP printer errors, you can start by opening the HP Smart app and accessing the Diagnose & Fix option. Click on Start and follow the instructions given if any issues are detected. If the problem persists, you can explore additional resources or visit HP Customer Support to search for specific error messages or issues you’re encountering.
How do I fix printer errors?
To fix printer errors, you can try these steps:
– Power cycle your printer by unplugging and restarting it.
– Check the cables or wireless connection.
– Uninstall and reinstall your printer.
– Install the latest printer driver.
– Clear and reset the print spooler.
– Change the printer’s status to “online”.
How do I get my printer out of error state?
To get your printer out of the error state, start by ensuring that it is properly connected to your PC. Then, try rebooting the printer and checking the paper and cartridge ink levels. If the issue persists, reinstall the printer drivers and automate the print spooler service. Lastly, make sure to update Windows 10.
