HP LaserJet Printer Not Printing? Quick Fix Guide for All Models

There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to print a document and realizing your HP LaserJet printer not printing. Whether it's a document for work, school, or a personal project, a printer that suddenly refuses to work can disrupt your entire day. The good news? You don’t need to panic! In most cases, this problem is easily fixable with a few simple troubleshooting steps.

If you're dealing with the HP printer driver is unavailable issue, miscommunication between the computer and printer is usually the culprit. This can prevent print jobs from being sent properly to the printer. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common reasons why your HP LaserJet printer might not be printing, along with easy solutions to get it back to full working condition.

Why Isn’t My HP LaserJet Printer Printing?

Before jumping into the fixes, let’s take a look at some of the most common causes behind this issue:

• Printer is Offline: This is one of the most frequent reasons a printer won’t print. If your printer is listed as offline, it cannot receive print commands.
   
• Printer Driver Issues: Outdated, missing, or corrupt drivers can cause communication problems between your printer and computer.
   
• Ink or Toner Issues: If your printer runs out of ink or toner, or if there’s a problem with the ink cartridges, it will not print.
   
• Stuck Print Queue: If there are documents stuck in the print queue, the printer may not print new jobs until the queue is cleared.
   
• Connectivity Issues: A poor Wi-Fi connection or USB cable failure can result in your printer not receiving the print job.

No matter the cause, most of these issues are easy to troubleshoot and fix.

Step-by-Step Solutions for HP LaserJet Printer Not Printing

1. Check the Printer’s Status and Connection

The first step is to ensure your printer is ready to print and properly connected.

Check Printer’s Power and Connection:

• For Wired Printers: Ensure the USB cable is firmly connected to both the printer and the computer. You may also want to try using a different USB port.
   
• For Wireless Printers: Verify that your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. You can usually do this through the printer’s control panel or by printing a network configuration page.
   

Check Printer Status:

• For Windows Users:
  1. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
  2. Right-click on your HP LaserJet printer and select See what’s printing.
  3. If you see "Use Printer Offline" checked, uncheck it and try printing again.
  4. Ensure your printer is set as the default printer.
      
• For Mac Users:
  1. Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
  2. Select your HP printer and click Open Print Queue.
  3. If your printer is paused, click Resume to continue printing.

Once these steps are complete, try printing again. If your printer is still not responding, move on to the next solution.

2. Check and Clear the Print Queue

Sometimes, a stuck print job can block all future print jobs. To resolve this:

1. Go to Devices and Printers on Windows or Printers & Scanners on Mac.
2. Right-click your HP LaserJet printer and select See What’s Printing.
3. Cancel all pending print jobs by selecting Cancel All Documents from the Printer menu.
4. Restart your printer and computer to ensure the queue is cleared and print jobs can resume.
    

3. Fix Printer Driver Issues

If your HP printer driver is unavailable, this can cause your HP LaserJet printer to stop printing. The printer relies on the driver to communicate with your computer, so any issues with the driver can prevent printing altogether.

Steps to resolve printer driver issues:

1. Reinstall the Printer Driver:
   • Go to the page and download the latest driver for your HP LaserJet model.
   • Install the driver and restart your computer.
   • Reconnect your printer and test it to see if it’s printing.
      
2. Update the Printer Driver:
   • Open Device Manager on Windows and expand Printers.
   • Right-click your HP LaserJet printer and select Update Driver.
   • Follow the prompts to search for and install the latest driver updates.
   • Alternatively, visit the official HP Support website, enter your printer model, and download the latest driver manually.

Updating or reinstalling the driver can fix compatibility issues and restore printing functionality.

4. Check and Replace HP Printer Ink Cartridges

If your HP LaserJet printer is not printing, the issue could be related to your HP printer ink cartridges or toner system

Steps to check ink cartridges:

1. Open the printer’s front door and check if any cartridges are empty or damaged.
2. Remove the cartridges and shake them gently to distribute the ink evenly (for inkjet models).
3. Replace any empty or defective cartridges with genuine HP ink or toner.

For HP LaserJet printers that use toner, make sure that the toner is not low and that it is properly installed.

Check for Blocked Printheads:
Sometimes, the issue lies not with the ink but with the printhead. If the printhead is blocked or dirty, it can prevent ink from being delivered to the paper.

Steps to clean the printhead:

1. Check the printer settings on your computer and select Maintenance or Tools.
2. Select Clean Printhead and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. If your printer has a removable printhead, remove it and gently clean it using a soft, damp cloth.
   
    

5. Perform Printer Firmware Update

Occasionally, the HP printer not printing issue can be caused by outdated printer firmware. Firmware updates can resolve many problems, including driver communication issues and minor bugs.

Steps to update printer firmware:

1. Go to the HP support website.
2. Enter your printer model and check if there are any firmware updates available.
3. Download and install the latest firmware update.

After the update is complete, restart your printer and try printing again.

6. Restart the Printer and Computer

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one. Restart both your printer and your computer to refresh the printer’s settings and clear any temporary issues.

1. Turn off your HP LaserJet printer and unplug it for about 30 seconds.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Plug the printer back in and turn it on.

Try printing again to check if the issue is resolved.

Final Thoughts

When your HP LaserJet printer is not printing, the cause could range from something as simple as a stuck print job to more complex issues like a malfunctioning printhead or connectivity error. By following the troubleshooting steps above, you can resolve most printing issues quickly and get your printer working again in no time.

Remember to regularly update your printer drivers, check for firmware updates, and clean your printhead to prevent future issues. If all else fails, reach out to HP support or consult our HP LaserJet troubleshooting guides for professional assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

1. Why isn't my HP LaserJet printer printing anything?

This is usually caused by low toner, connection issues, outdated drivers, or a print job stuck in the queue. Restarting the printer and checking the toner level often helps.

2. How do I check the toner level on an HP LaserJet printer?

Go to the printer's control panel or log in to the HP Smart app. Most LaserJet models also let you print a supply status report showing toner levels and alerts.

3. Why does my HP LaserJet display "offline" even though it's connected?

This could be due to network issues, the wrong default printer selected, or Windows marking the printer offline. Restarting Wi-Fi and setting the correct default printer usually fixes this.

4. Do I need to replace the HP toner cartridge if prints are light or streaky?

Most often, yes. If pages are faded, patchy, or streaked, the toner may be low or the drum may need cleaning. Replacing the original HP LaserJet cartridge usually restores print quality.