How to Fix HP Printer Not Printing Issues (2024)

Is your HP printer not printing when you need it most? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Printer issues can be frustrating, but they’re often easy to fix with the right steps. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to troubleshoot HP printer not printing problems quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to work without delays.

Whether it's a simple connectivity issue, outdated drivers, or something else, this article covers everything you need to know to fix HP printer not printing issues. By following the steps outlined here, you’ll solve the most common causes behind HP printers not printing and ensure a smoother printing experience.

Keep reading to discover why your HP printer won’t print and how to resolve it with ease. Let’s dive into the details and get your printer working again!

Common Reasons Why Your HP Printer is Not Printing

When your HP printer won’t print, several factors could be causing the problem. Below are the most common reasons why you might be facing HP printer not printing issues, along with easy solutions to get your printer back in working order.

Non-default Printer Settings

One of the most common and often overlooked causes of HP printers not printing is when the printer isn’t set as the default device. This means your computer may be sending the print job to another printer or even to a virtual printer without you realizing it. In this case, the HP printer not printing issue is not a technical malfunction, but simply a misconfiguration in your computer’s settings.

How to Fix It:

• On Windows: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Right-click on your HP printer > Select “Set as default printer.”
• On macOS: Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Right-click your HP printer > Select “Set as default.”

Making sure that your HP printer is the default device will ensure that all print jobs are sent directly to the printer you are using, preventing this common HP printing issue.

Print Queue Overload

Sometimes, your HP printer won’t print because there are too many print jobs stuck in the queue. A large number of pending print jobs can cause your printer to stop responding altogether, especially if the jobs contain large files or are corrupted. This is a frequent cause of HP printing issues.

How to Fix It:

1. Open the Control Panel on Windows or System Preferences on macOS.
2. Navigate to Printers & Scanners.
3. Right-click on your HP printer, and select “See what’s printing.”
4. Clear all pending print jobs.

By regularly clearing the print queue, you can prevent a build-up of old, unresponsive jobs and ensure that your printer remains responsive to new tasks. This is a quick way to fix HP printer not printing problems caused by overloaded print queues.

Connectivity Issues

A common reason for your HP printer not printing wirelessly is related to connectivity issues. Whether you’re using a wired or wireless printer, if the printer loses its connection to the computer or network, it won’t be able to receive print jobs. Wireless HP printers not printing are particularly prone to this if there are issues with the network connection, such as weak Wi-Fi signals or incorrect router configurations.

How to Fix It:

• Ensure your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
• Check your network strength and ensure the printer is within range.
• For wired connections, double-check that the cables are plugged in securely.
• Restart both your printer and router if necessary.

Connectivity problems are one of the most frequent causes of HP printers not printing, but they are often the easiest to resolve by simply reconnecting or restarting the devices.

Outdated Printer Drivers

If your HP printer won’t print, outdated or corrupt drivers could be the culprit. Printer drivers act as the communication bridge between your computer and the printer. If your drivers are out-of-date or incompatible with your operating system, your HP printer not printing might be due to a failure to relay the print job correctly.

How to Fix It:

• Visit the HP support website and search for your printer model.
• Download the latest driver for your operating system.
• Install the driver, restart your computer, and try printing again.

Keeping your drivers up to date is critical to avoiding HP printing issues. This simple step ensures compatibility with new operating system updates and fixes any bugs that could be causing your HP printer not to print.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix HP Printer Not Printing

If the above reasons don’t resolve your HP printing issues, try these step-by-step troubleshooting techniques to get your printer working again.

Step 1: Check the Connection

The first step in resolving any HP printer not printing issue is to check whether the printer is properly connected to your computer or network. A loose USB cable, an unstable wireless connection, or even a simple disconnection can cause a HP printing issue.

1. For USB connections: Ensure that the cable is securely connected to both your printer and your computer.

For wireless printers: Make sure that the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.

3. Restart both your printer and your computer to reset any potential connectivity problems.

This step alone often resolves HP printers not printing caused by a broken connection.

Step 2: Clear the Print Queue

Another common reason for HP printers not printing is due to a jammed print queue. If multiple print jobs are stuck or corrupted, your printer may refuse to process any further jobs.

1. Open Devices & Printers on your computer.
2. Select your HP printer and open the print queue.
3. Cancel all pending print jobs and restart the printer.

By regularly managing your print queue, you can avoid HP printing issues that arise from overloaded or frozen print jobs.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Driver-related issues are one of the main causes of HP printers not printing. Installing the latest drivers for your HP printer can resolve communication issues between your computer and the printer.

1. Visit HP’s official website and enter your printer’s model number.
2. Download the most recent printer drivers.
3. Follow the installation instructions to update or reinstall the drivers.

After completing this, restart your computer and attempt to print again. This simple update often resolves many HP printing issues related to outdated software.

Step 4: Set Your HP Printer as the Default

If your HP printer is not printing, it could be because it isn’t set as the default printer. Setting your HP printer as the default ensures that all print jobs are sent to the correct device.

1. On Windows: Go to Control Panel > Devices & Printers. Right-click on your HP printer and select Set as Default.
2. On macOS: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and set your HP printer as default.

This simple adjustment can fix HP printer not printing problems caused by misconfigured printer settings.

Step 5: Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

HP provides a free utility called the HP Print and Scan Doctor that can help diagnose and resolve many HP printer not printing issues.

1. Download the HP Print and Scan Doctor from the HP website.
2. Run the tool and follow the on-screen instructions to detect and fix any issues.

The HP Print and Scan Doctor is a valuable tool that automates the troubleshooting process and often resolves common HP printing issues without much effort.

Advanced Troubleshooting Tips

If the above steps haven’t resolved the problem, here are some advanced solutions to fix HP printer not printing.

Diagnose and Fix with the HP Smart App

For users with the HP Smart App, troubleshooting is even easier. The app offers a built-in Diagnose & Fix feature that can identify and resolve HP printing issues directly from your smartphone.

1. Open the HP Smart App.
2. Connect your printer to the app.
3. Use the Diagnose & Fix feature to automatically troubleshoot any problems.

The HP Smart App is convenient for resolving wireless connection issues, updating drivers, and fixing print queue errors—all from your mobile device.

Restore Printer Communication Issues

Sometimes, the issue may stem from communication problems between your printer and your computer. Running Windows or macOS diagnostics can fix this.

1. For Windows: Run the Windows Troubleshooter for printers.
2. For macOS: Use macOS diagnostics to identify any connection issues.

Restart both your printer and your computer after troubleshooting.

Ensuring a stable connection between your printer and your computer is key to preventing HP printing issues from recurring.

GeekBuds – Your Go-To Solution for Printer Troubles

If you’ve tried all these steps and your HP printer still won’t print, it might be time to seek professional help. GeekBuds provides expert support for all your printing needs.

Why Choose GeekBuds for Printer Support?

GeekBuds is a trusted partner for all things tech, offering personalized printer support, installation, and troubleshooting services. Whether you need to fix a HP printer not printing issue or set up a new printer, GeekBuds has you covered.

GeekBuds Services for HP Printers

• New Printer Setup: Let GeekBuds handle your installation, from driver setup to wireless connection.
• Wireless Setup: We ensure your printer is securely connected to your network.
• Driver Updates: Get the latest drivers for optimal printer performance.
• Troubleshooting: Our experts fix HP printing issues efficiently.