Why is My HP Printer Not Printing? [3 Effective Solutions]

Many users complain that the HP printer is not printing in some cases. And they wondered, "why is my HP printer not printing." Today we will discuss this issue and provide you with some effective solutions.

The printer not printing error is one of the most encountered HP printer issues while using the printer. However, the troubleshooting methods may differ according to different brands. In this blog, the focus is on the HP printer that is not printing.

In order to successfully resolve the “HP printer not printing error,” you need to know the possible causes. For that, go to the next part of the blog.

What are the Main Reasons for HP Printer Not Printing?

"Why is my HP printer not printing" is a common error that a number of different reasons can cause.

• Missing or outdated printer drivers

• Bad configuration in windows

• Faulty connection

• Even more

Also, simple things like running out of ink or a paper jam can cause HP printers to fail.

Below are some effective solutions you can follow to resolve the HP printer problems.

Solution 1: Update the Printer Driver

If you get an outdated or faulty driver, the HP printer won't print as well. In this case, you should reinstall or update the printer driver. Follow the below steps in order to reinstall the HP driver:

1. To get started, click on the Start window icon. 

2. After that, select the Device Manager tab.

3. Then, expand the Print Queues section, and right-click on the driver. 

4. From the drop-down menu, select the Uninstall Device option. 

5. Follow the displayed steps on the screen to complete the process.

6. Again, open the Device Manager screen. Right-click on the first option. 

7. Then, tap on Scan for hardware changes. 

8. Now, the latest driver will be installed automatically.

Well, check whether the drivers are up to date with this solution. If the printer driver is outdated, update it with the following directions.

1. Follow the above instructions to find the driver.

2. After that, right-click on the printer driver. 

3. From the drop-down menu, click on the Update Driver option. 

4. Next, select “Search automatically for updated driver” option. 

5. Now, follow the on-screen steps to finish the process.

Solution 2: Set Your HP Printer to Default

Are you sending print tasks to the wrong HP printer? Let's check!

Normally when you send a print request, Windows assigns that print task to the default printer. If the printer is fully connected, but nothing is printing, then the HP printer may not be set to default in Windows.

So all the print requests are not going to the printer but to the point of no return. Let's check it and ensure that the HP is the default printer.

1. First, go to the Windows Control Panel and then select the "Devices and Printers" option. 

2. The Control Panel can be accessed by typing "control panel" into the search box in Windows 10. 

3. Or click the "Windows" + "R" keys together to open the Run command. 

4. In this Run command, enter "control" and hit the OK button. 

5. It will open the Control Panel on most Windows computers.

6. Find the HP printer name in the list, and ensure it's the one you're having problems with. 

7. After that, you need to right-click on that printer name. 

8. From the drop-down menu, select the "Set as default printer" option. 

9. If there's a confirmation, ensure you tap the "Yes" button.

You should see a green check mark under the HP printer's icon; it is the default printer for Windows computers. Try your printing to see if it helps you!

Solution 3: Check Your HP Printer Status

If you've tried the above solutions and the HP printer still can't print, you may have to check whether there are hardware problems.

You have to make sure the HP printer has enough paper, toner, or ink and isn't stuck in a paper jam. Check the condition of the printer cartridge, and if it's not good enough, try to replace it with a new one. Sometimes, the printer may stop printing after parts are replaced. If it does, you should reinstall the original and see if that solves the issue.

Conclusion

The answer to your question of "why is my HP printer not printing" is provided in this blog, along with the top 3 effective solutions. Also, you have understood the most common causes of this problem.

So, make sure that you check and apply all the solutions step by step to resolve the problem. Other than that, this blog should be able to help you resolve the HP printer error.