Is your HP printer refusing to print? You’re not alone. When your HP printer cannot print, it’s usually caused by connection problems, stuck print jobs, or outdated drivers.
The good news? Most printing issues can be fixed in just a few minutes with simple troubleshooting steps. Whether your HP deskjet will not print or you’re seeing “HP printer pending not printing” messages, this guide will help you get back to printing quickly.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly why your HP printer is not working and how to fix each problem step by step. We’ll cover everything from basic connection checks to clearing stubborn print queues, so you can solve your printing problems without calling tech support.
Top 3 Reasons Your HP Printer Won’t Print
Before diving into detailed solutions, here are the three most common reasons why HP printer not printing issues happen:
- Connection Problems – Your printer isn’t properly connected to your computer or Wi-Fi network
- Stuck Print Queue – Old print jobs are blocking new ones from printing
- Offline Status – Your printer is set to “offline” mode in your computer settings
Let’s fix these issues and get your printer working again.
Check Your Printer Connections First
The number one reason people cannot print on HP printer devices is simple: connection problems. Your printer needs a solid connection to receive print jobs from your computer.
For USB-Connected Printers:
Start by checking your USB cable. Unplug it from both your computer and printer, then plug it back in firmly. Make sure you’re using a USB data cable, not just a charging cable (they look the same but work differently).
Try a different USB port on your computer. Sometimes ports can fail without warning. If your cable looks damaged or frayed, replace it – a new USB cable costs less than $10 and often solves the problem instantly.
For Wireless Printers:
Wireless connection issues are why many people experience HP printer unable to print problems. First, check that your printer’s Wi-Fi light is solid (not blinking). A blinking light means it’s not connected to your network.
Make sure your printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network. This sounds obvious, but it’s easy to miss if you have multiple networks at home. Print a network configuration page from your printer’s menu to see which network it’s using.
If your printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi, try restarting both your router and printer. Unplug your router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for it to fully restart, then turn your printer off and on.
Clear Stuck Print Jobs in Your Queue
When you see “HP printer pending not printing” messages, you probably have stuck print jobs. These ghost jobs block everything else from printing, even though they’ll never actually print.
Here’s how to clear your print queue on Windows:
- Type “Control Panel” in your search bar and open it
- Click on “Devices and Printers”
- Find your HP printer and right-click on it
- Select “See what’s printing”
- Click the “Printer” menu at the top
- Choose “Cancel All Documents”
- Confirm when asked
Sometimes stubborn print jobs won’t delete this way. If that happens, you’ll need to restart the print spooler service. Press Windows + R, type “services.msc” and press Enter. Find “Print Spooler” in the list, right-click it, and select “Restart.”
For Mac users, the process is similar but easier. Open System Preferences, click “Printers & Scanners,” select your printer, and click “Open Print Queue.” Then simply delete any stuck jobs you see.
Fix the Dreaded “Offline” Status
Nothing is more frustrating than seeing your printer marked as “offline” when it’s clearly turned on. This happens when Windows loses communication with your printer, but it’s easy to fix.
To change your printer from offline to online:
- Open Control Panel and go to “Devices and Printers”
- Right-click your HP printer
- If you see “Use Printer Offline” with a checkmark, click it to remove the check
- Your printer should immediately switch to “online” status
Sometimes Windows automatically sets printers offline after updates or network changes. If this keeps happening, you might need to set your printer as the default. Right-click your printer and select “Set as default printer.”
Mac users can fix offline status by opening System Preferences, clicking “Printers & Scanners,” selecting the printer, and unchecking “Pause Printing” if it’s selected.
Update Your HP Printer Drivers
Outdated drivers are a hidden cause of many “HP printer will no print” problems. Drivers are small programs that help your computer talk to your printer. When they’re out of date, that communication breaks down.
The easiest way to update drivers is through Windows Update:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security
- Click “Check for updates”
- Install any available updates
- Restart your computer
For the latest drivers, visit HP’s website directly. Search for your printer model and download the newest driver package. This often fixes printing problems that Windows Update misses.
If you’re not sure which driver to download, HP offers a tool called HP Smart that automatically finds and installs the right driver for your printer. It’s free and saves you from guessing which driver you need.
Check Your Ink and Paper Levels
Sometimes the reason for “not printing HP” issues is surprisingly simple: you’re out of ink or paper. Modern HP printers are good at telling you when ink is low, but they’re not perfect.
Check your ink levels through your printer’s display panel or the HP Smart app on your computer. Even if the printer says there’s ink left, the cartridges might be clogged or dried out, especially if you haven’t printed in a while.
For paper issues, make sure:
- The paper tray isn’t empty
- Paper is loaded correctly (most printers show guides on the tray)
- You’re using the right paper size for your print job
- The paper isn’t damp or wrinkled
If your printer says there’s a paper jam but you can’t see any paper stuck, check for tiny pieces of torn paper in the rollers. Even a small scrap can trigger the jam sensor.
Power Cycle Your Printer
When nothing else works, a proper power cycle often fixes mysterious printing problems. This isn’t just turning your printer off and on – it’s a complete reset that clears the printer’s memory.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Turn on your printer (if it’s not already on)
- With the printer on, unplug the power cord from the back
- Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet
- Wait 60 seconds (this is important – don’t rush it)
- Plug the cord back into the wall outlet
- Plug the cord back into your printer
- Turn on the printer if it doesn’t start automatically
This process clears temporary errors and resets the printer’s internal systems. It’s like giving your printer a fresh start.
Troubleshoot HP Instant Ink Issues
If you’re enrolled in HP Instant Ink and seeing messages like “cannot print,” you might have a subscription problem. HP Instant Ink printers stop working if there’s a payment issue or if you’ve exceeded your monthly page limit.
Check your Instant Ink account online to make sure:
- Your payment method is up to date
- You haven’t reached your monthly page limit
- Your subscription is active
If you’ve cancelled Instant Ink, you’ll need to replace the Instant Ink cartridges with regular HP cartridges. The printer won’t work with Instant Ink cartridges after cancellation.
Clean Your Printhead
Print quality problems and complete printing failures often come from clogged printheads. If your HP printer will not print certain colors or prints with streaks, the printhead needs cleaning.
Most HP printers have a built-in cleaning function:
- Go to your printer’s maintenance menu
- Select “Clean Printhead” or “Clean Cartridges”
- Follow the on-screen instructions
- Print a test page to check results
You might need to run the cleaning cycle 2-3 times for heavily clogged printheads. If cleaning doesn’t work, you can remove the cartridges and gently wipe the printhead with a damp, lint-free cloth.
Reset Your Printer to Factory Settings
When you’ve tried everything else and still face “why can’t the HP printer print” issues, a factory reset might be your solution. This erases all settings and returns your printer to its original state.
The reset process varies by model, but generally:
- Go to your printer’s Settings menu
- Find “Restore Factory Defaults” or “Reset All Settings”
- Confirm the reset
- Re-add your printer to your computer
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi if needed
Remember, you’ll need to set up your printer again from scratch after a factory reset, including Wi-Fi connections and any custom settings.
Common Error Messages and What They Mean
Understanding HP printer error messages helps you fix problems faster. Here are the most common ones:
“Printer Offline” – Your computer can’t communicate with the printer. Check connections and offline status settings.
“Out of Paper” – Either the tray is empty or the paper isn’t loaded correctly. Also check for paper jams.
“Cartridge Problem” – Remove and reseat your ink cartridges. Make sure you’re using genuine HP cartridges.
“Print Queue Error” – Clear all print jobs and restart the print spooler service.
Preventing Future Printing Problems
To avoid “why HP printer not printing” searches in the future, follow these maintenance tips:
Print something at least once a week to prevent ink from drying out. This keeps the printheads clear and the ink flowing smoothly.
Keep your printer drivers updated by enabling automatic updates in Windows or using HP Smart app. New drivers often fix bugs that cause printing problems.
Clean your printer monthly. Dust and paper particles build up inside and cause jams. Use compressed air to blow out dust from paper paths and rollers.
Store paper in a cool, dry place. Damp paper causes jams and poor print quality. Keep just enough paper in the tray for a week’s printing.
When Professional Help Is Needed?
Some printer problems need expert attention. Contact HP support or a technician if:
- Your printer makes grinding or clicking noises
- Error lights flash in patterns you can’t identify
- The printer won’t turn on at all
- You see burn marks or smell burning
- Print quality is poor even after cleaning
These symptoms often indicate hardware failures that DIY fixes can’t solve.
Quick Reference Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Quick Fix | Time Needed |
| Printer Offline | Check “Use Printer Offline” setting | 1 minute |
| Stuck Print Jobs | Clear print queue and restart spooler | 3-5 minutes |
| Connection Lost | Restart router and printer | 5 minutes |
| Outdated Drivers | Update through Windows or HP website | 10 minutes |
| Poor Print Quality | Run printhead cleaning cycle | 5-10 minutes |
| Paper Jams | Remove paper, check for scraps | 2-5 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my HP printer say it’s printing but nothing comes out?
When your printer says it’s printing but nothing appears on paper, you likely have empty or clogged ink cartridges. Even if the ink level shows as adequate, the nozzles might be blocked from dried ink. Run the printhead cleaning utility 2-3 times, then print a test page. If this doesn’t work, remove the cartridges and gently clean the contacts with a damp cloth. Sometimes this issue also happens when the wrong paper type is selected in printer settings – check that your settings match your actual paper.
How do I get my HP printer out of pending status?
HP printer pending status usually means stuck print jobs are blocking the queue. First, cancel all documents in the print queue by right-clicking your printer in Devices and Printers and selecting “See what’s printing,” then “Cancel All Documents.” If jobs won’t delete, restart the Print Spooler service: press Windows+R, type “services.msc,” find Print Spooler, right-click and select “Restart.” As a last resort, turn off your printer, clear the queue, restart your computer, then turn the printer back on.
Why won’t my HP printer print from my laptop but works with other devices?
If your HP printer works with other devices but not your laptop, the problem is specific to your laptop’s settings or drivers. First, make sure your laptop is on the same network as the printer. Uninstall the printer from your laptop completely: go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and click “Remove device.” Then reinstall it using the latest drivers from HP’s website. Also check if your laptop’s firewall or antivirus is blocking the printer connection – temporarily disable them to test.
What does printer driver is unavailable mean on HP printer?
“Printer driver is unavailable” means Windows can’t find or access the software needed to communicate with your HP printer. This often happens after Windows updates. To fix it, go to Device Manager (right-click Start button > Device Manager), find your printer under “Printers” or “Print queues,” right-click it and select “Update driver.” Choose “Search automatically for drivers.” If that doesn’t work, uninstall the device completely, restart your computer, then download and install the latest driver from HP’s support website.
How long do HP printer drivers take to install?
HP printer driver installation typically takes 5-15 minutes, depending on your internet speed and computer performance. The basic driver installs quickly (2-5 minutes), while the full software package with HP Smart and additional tools can take up to 20 minutes. If installation seems stuck, don’t cancel it immediately – some drivers appear frozen while configuring in the background. If it takes longer than 30 minutes, cancel the installation, restart your computer, and try again with antivirus temporarily disabled.
Can I use my HP printer without HP Smart app?
Yes, you can use your HP printer without the HP Smart app. Windows and Mac have built-in print drivers that work with most HP printers for basic printing. However, you’ll miss features like ink level monitoring, scanning software, and automatic driver updates. To use without HP Smart, add your printer through Windows Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners > Add a printer. Windows will install a basic driver. For full functionality including advanced settings and maintenance tools, HP Smart is recommended but not required.
Why does my wireless HP printer keep going offline?
Wireless HP printers go offline when they lose network connection or when Windows mistakenly marks them offline. Common causes include router issues, printer sleep mode, or IP address changes. To prevent this, assign a static IP address to your printer through your router settings. Also disable Windows’ automatic offline detection: go to Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, select “Printer properties,” go to the “Ports” tab, and uncheck “SNMP Status Enabled.” Make sure your printer firmware is updated, as older firmware often has connectivity bugs.
Conclusion
When your HP printer cannot print, don’t panic. Most printing problems have simple solutions that you can fix yourself in minutes. Start with basic connection checks, clear any stuck print jobs, and make sure your printer isn’t set to offline mode. These three fixes solve about 80% of all printing issues.
Remember to keep your drivers updated and perform regular maintenance like weekly test prints and monthly cleaning. This prevents most problems before they start. If you’ve tried all these solutions and your HP printer still won’t work, it might be time for professional repair or replacement.
