Why Is My HP Printer Not Printing Even When It’s Connected?

Are you frustrated with your hp printer not printing, even though it's connected to your computer or network? You're not alone. Many users face this issue, and there can be a variety of causes for it. If you’ve encountered this problem, don’t worry. In this blog, we'll explore the possible causes and solutions for this printing issue, focusing on simple troubleshooting steps you can try at home to resolve it quickly. Whether it’s a hp printer offline issue, driver conflicts, or network problems, we’ve got you covered.

1. Check Your Printer's Status

The first step in troubleshooting any printing issue is to check your printer’s status. Even if your HP printer is connected to the computer or network, it may not be set as the default printer or might be listed as offline.

To ensure your printer is online and functioning correctly:

• Go to "Devices and Printers" on your Windows computer.
• Right-click on your HP printer and ensure that "Set as Default Printer" is selected.

• If the status shows "Offline," right-click on the printer and select “Use Printer Online.”

   

2. Check the Printer’s Connection

Ensure that your printer is properly connected to your computer or network. If you are using a wired connection, check that the USB or Ethernet cable is securely plugged into both the printer and the computer. If you're using a wireless connection, check if the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.

For wireless printers, sometimes the printer can lose connection to Wi-Fi, leading to printing issues. If this happens, you may see the hp Printer Not Printing message despite the printer being connected.

3. Restart the Printer and Computer

Sometimes, restarting both the printer and your computer can resolve the issue. When the printer and computer are restarted, temporary glitches in the system are often cleared, allowing for proper communication between the two.

Here’s how to do it:

• Turn off the printer and computer.
• Wait for a few minutes before turning both back on.
• After restarting, check if the printer starts working again.

This simple troubleshooting step can often solve the printing problem, especially when it's related to temporary software or connectivity glitches.

4. Check for Printer Driver Issues

Outdated or corrupt printer drivers are one of the leading causes of hp printer is not printing. Printer drivers allow your computer to communicate with the printer. If these drivers are outdated or missing, your printer may fail to print, even if it's properly connected.

To check for HP printer driver issues:

1. Open "Device Manager" on your computer.
2. Expand the "Printers" section and right-click on your HP printer.
3. Select "Update Driver" and follow the prompts to update the driver.
4. Alternatively, visit the HP support website to download the latest drivers for your printer model.

Once you've updated the drivers, try printing again to see if the issue is resolved. If the printer still doesn’t work, you might need to uninstall and reinstall the printer driver to fix the issue completely.

5. Clear the Print Queue

A jammed print queue can prevent your printer from printing. If you have pending print jobs, the printer may fail to execute new ones, even if it’s technically connected. To fix this:

1. Open "Devices and Printers."
2. Right-click on your HP printer and select "See what's printing."
3. Cancel all the print jobs in the queue by selecting "Cancel All Documents."

After clearing the print queue, try printing again. This should resolve the issue if the printer is not printing due to a backlog in the print queue.

6. Check for Paper Jams and Ink Levels

If your printer isn’t printing, there could be an issue with paper jams or low ink/toner levels. Start by checking if any paper is stuck inside the printer. If you find a jam, carefully remove the paper and check if any pieces remain inside.

Also, check the ink or toner levels in your HP printer. Low or empty ink cartridges can prevent your printer from printing correctly. If necessary, replace the ink or toner cartridges and make sure they are installed properly.

7. Ensure Printer Settings Are Correct

Sometimes, incorrect printer settings can cause issues with printing. For example, check the print quality settings to ensure they are not set to "Draft" mode, which can result in poor print output. Also, verify that the paper size settings match the paper you're using.

If the hp printer not working issue persists, try resetting your printer to default settings to fix any misconfigurations.

8. Reinstall the Printer

If all else fails, reinstalling the printer may be the best option. This will remove any corrupted settings or files that could be preventing your printer from functioning correctly.

To reinstall your HP printer:

1. Go to "Devices and Printers" and right-click on your HP printer.
2. Select "Remove Device" to uninstall the printer.
3. Restart your computer.

4. After the computer restarts, reinstall the printer by going to the "Add Printer" option and following the on-screen instructions.

    

9. Check for HP Printer Software Conflicts

Sometimes, other software, such as security programs or firewalls, can interfere with the printer’s ability to function correctly. If you suspect a software conflict, try temporarily disabling your antivirus software and firewall to see if this resolves the printing issue.

If this fixes the issue, you can try adding exceptions in your antivirus/firewall settings to allow the printer to communicate with your computer.

10. Connect HP Printer to Wi-Fi

If your HP printer is wireless, it might have lost connection to the Wi-Fi network. In such cases, you will need to reconnect your printer to the correct Wi-Fi network.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. On your printer’s control panel, go to the Wi-Fi settings.
2. Select the network you want to connect to and enter the Wi-Fi password.
3. Once connected, check if your printer starts printing again.

If you need further assistance, you can follow the steps outlined in this guide.

11. Check for Firmware Updates

HP occasionally releases firmware updates for its printers that can resolve bugs and improve performance. Check for firmware updates on the HP support website or through the HP Smart app, and follow the prompts to install any available updates.

Updating the firmware can resolve various printing issues and improve the overall performance of your printer.

Conclusion

When your hp printer not printing, it can be frustrating, but most issues can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps. From checking the printer's connection and clearing the print queue to updating drivers and checking for paper jams, these steps will help you get your printer back to working order in no time. If you're using a wireless connection and having trouble, make sure to follow the steps for reconnecting your HP Printer to Wi-Fi.

If you're still experiencing problems, don't hesitate to reach out to HP support for further assistance. With the right troubleshooting steps, you'll have your printer up and running again in no time.