How Do I Fix HP Smart Tank 5105 Printer Not Printing? [FIXED]

I loaded the paper and sent a document to print, but nothing came out. Since I was new to using this printer, I reached out to HP support. Printer not printing is one of the most common issues, and I faced it myself before learning how to fix it. Now, I’m here to share how you can solve this problem. The reasons usually include connection issues, incorrect printer settings, or an overloaded print queue. Checking everything can feel challenging, which is why I will guide you through the steps from basic to advanced. With this approach, you can get your HP printer working again.

Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting

As I told you, we’ll go slowly from basic to advanced methods. Once you have observed that the printer is not printing, check its connection. Ensure that the USB cable is well-connected to both devices. In case of a wireless connection, ensure that the WiFi is within the required range and both devices are connected to the same network.

Another quick fix is restarting your HP Smart Tank 5105 Printer:

1. Press the power button on the printer to power it off.

2. Unplug the printer’s power cable from the power source.

3. Plug the cable back into the power source on the wall after 30 seconds.

4. Press the power button on the printer to power it on.

That’s how you can perform basic troubleshooting on an HP printer.

Method 2: Set HP Printer as Default

On Windows, setting a printer as the default ensures your print jobs automatically go to that printer. This feature automatically detects your printer whenever you send a print request. If your printer is not the default device, it won’t print. Continue with these steps to set your printer as the default device.

1. Click the Start button on the computer’s taskbar.

2. Type control to open the Control Panel.

3. Select Devices and Printers under the Control Panel.

4. Locate your printer under the Printers section, and select Set as default printer.

5. Click Yes to confirm.

Finally, you’ll see a green check mark on the printer’s name. However, it was already set as the default printer; there might be another reason for this printer not printing.

Method 3: Cancel Print Queue

Sometimes, the overloaded print queue is the reason behind the printer’s inability to print. A print queue is like a waiting line for the printable documents. When a faulty document is present in the queue, it stops subsequent documents from printing.

This is why even when the printer is well-connected and free from technical issues, it doesn’t print. Here are the steps to delete all the pending files from the print queue.

1. On your keyboard, hit the Windows key and look for the Control Panel.

2. Click View Devices and Printers under Hardware and Sound.

3. Select Printers & Scanners from the right side of the screen and click on your printer.

4. Click the Print Queue option. In the new window, right-click on your printer name.

5. Select each print job individually and click Delete. Otherwise, click the Delete All Documents option.

Method 4: Repair System Files

Sometimes, corrupted or missing system files can interfere with printing. Sometimes, these files are the main reason behind an HP printer not printing. A Windows computer has a feature to repair system files. This feature helps fix the common problems with the system.

Here are the steps to repair those system files:

1. On your keyboard, tap the Windows icon key and enter cmd in the search bar.

2. From the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

3. Click Yes to confirm.

4. Enter sfc/scannow in the prompt window and press Enter.

It will take some time to replace those unnecessary files. Wait until the system updates the new files. Restart your computer to save the changes. Now, check if the HP Smart Tank 5105 printer is working.

Final Words

I have shared the best methods with you here. An HP printer may stop printing for various reasons, and connection issues are often overlooked. That’s why I recommend checking the printer’s connection first, then reviewing other settings, and clearing the print queue if needed. To avoid facing the same problem again, always keep your printer well-connected to the device and set it as the default printer.

  Frequently Asked Questions

Question

Why Is My HP Smart Tank 5105 Printer Not Printing?

If your printer is not printing, it may be due to several reasons, including a weak USB or WiFi connection, incorrect printer settings, or unnecessary files and folders on your PC. Apart from that, the overburdened print queue is also a potential problem behind the printer not printing. 

Question

How Can I Prevent Printing Issues With My HP Printer?

There are various ways to prevent a printer from printing issues mentioned below:

• Store the papers correctly in the paper tray.

• Regularly replace ink cartridges to maintain the printer.

• Ensure that the printer is set as the default printer on the computer.

• Don’t overload the paper tray. 

Question

What if My HP Printer Is Fine but Still Not Printing?

If your printer is functioning properly and still not printing, check its ink levels. When the ink levels go down, the printer won’t print. In this case, check if the ink cartridge is empty by opening the front cover of the printer. Usually, the printer displays a low-ink warning, but if not, you can manually check the ink levels from the control panel or the HP Smart app. Replace any empty cartridge. 

Source: How to Fix HP Smart Tank 5105 Printer Not Printing