Posted by If your HP printer suddenly refuses to print-whether it’s stuck in a queue, showing as offline, or just unresponsive-you’re not alone. These issues are common, but a reset often gets things working again. An HP printer can have a soft reset or a hard reset. Both these processes to reset an HP printer are easy and allow you to resume stress-free printing. Let us explain them in detail.
Quick Ways to Reset Your HP Printer That Won’t Print
Begin with a soft reset of the printer. It just means turning off the device and then turning it on.
1. Soft (Power) Reset
The soft reset is the safest first step. It helps clear minor glitches and often resolves issues like jobs stuck in the print queue or the printer appearing offline.
- Turn off your printer using the power button.
- Unplug the power cord from both the printer and the wall outlet.
- Wait at least 60 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back into the wall and the printer.
- Turn the printer back on and give it a minute to reconnect.
2. Factory (Hard) Reset
If a soft reset doesn’t work, HP professionals reccommend a factory reset. It restores your printer to its original settings. This will erase your custom settings and network connections. So, be prepared to set those up again.
- On printers with a touchscreen: Go to the control panel, tap Setup or Settings, then Printer Maintenance or Restore Settings, and select Restore Factory Defaults. Confirm the reset.
- On printers without a touchscreen: The process may involve holding down specific button combinations (like “Cancel” and “Wireless” together) while powering on the printer. Check your user manual or HP’s support site for your model’s instructions.
- You can also reset via the HP Smart app or the printer’s web interface (by entering its IP address in your browser and navigating to reset options).
After a factory reset, reconnect your printer to your Wi-Fi or computer and reinstall any necessary drivers.
Tips for Smooth Printing with an HP Printer
It’s possible to print without issues with an HP printer even if you are a long-time user. Here are some tips to follow:
- Always start with a soft reset before trying a factory reset.
- Keep your printer’s firmware and drivers up to date.
- Regularly run maintenance tasks like printhead cleaning.
- Use HP’s support tools, like the HP Smart app and Print and Scan Doctor, for quick troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why won’t my HP printer print, even when it looks fine?
Check for any error messages or blinking lights on the printer display. Make sure your printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network or USB cable. Restart both your printer and your computer. Clear any stuck print jobs in your print queue. Try running HP’s Print and Scan Doctor tool or the Diagnose & Fix feature in the HP Smart app for automated troubleshooting.
2. Why is my printer on but not printing?
An HP printer that is on but does not prints is often a sign of paper jams or low paper. Outdated or corrupted drivers, or the printer set to “offline” or “paused” can also cause this error. Also, check for connection issues between your device and the printer and the printer’s display or your computer for any alerts.
3. How do I manually reset my HP printer?
Do a soft reset. Power off and unplug the printer for 1–2 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on. To manually do a factory reset, use the printer’s control panel or follow the button combination for your model if there’s no screen.
4. Why won’t my HP printer print even though the ink is full?
The printhead nozzles might be clogged, so run the printhead cleaning utility from the printer’s maintenance menu. Dry or expired ink cartridges or issues in their installation is also a cause of this error. You should uninstall and then reinstall or replace them if needed. Finally, check for software or driver glitches. Reinstall the drivers or update the printer’s firmware.
Concluding Words
A reset is often the quickest way to get your HP printer back without requiring any tech expertise. If you’re still stuck after these steps, HP printer support and online resources will help you with more advanced solutions. You can also determine if your printer needs service.