HP printers are known for their reliability, but like any piece of technology, they can occasionally encounter issues. One common problem that users face is when their HP printer is in an “error state” on Windows 10. If you’re seeing this error, your printer may not respond to print jobs or communicate with your computer, leaving you unable to print important documents.

In this blog, we’ll explore the potential reasons behind this error and provide step-by-step troubleshooting solutions to get your HP printer back online and working properly.

Common Causes of the “HP Printer in Error State” Message

Before diving into the fixes, it’s helpful to understand why your HP printer may be in an error state. Some common reasons include:

Connection Issues: 

If the printer is not properly connected to your computer, it might display an error message.

Outdated or Corrupted Printer Drivers: 

An outdated or corrupted driver can prevent communication between your computer and the printer.

Paper Jams or Low Ink Levels: 

Physical issues like paper jams, empty paper trays, or low ink/toner levels can also trigger an error state.

Windows 10 Software Updates: 

Incompatibility between Windows 10 updates and printer drivers may result in your printer entering an error state.

Print Spooler Service Issues: 

Problems with the print spooler, a service that manages print jobs, may lead to printer errors.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix HP Printer in Error State on Windows 10

Solution 1: Check Printer Connectivity

The first thing to verify is whether your printer is properly connected to your computer. Here’s how:

Check USB/Wireless Connection:

For USB-connected printers: Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into both the printer and your computer. If it’s feasible, try utilizing an alternative USB port or cable.

For wireless printers: Make that your printer and computer are linked to the same wireless network. You can do this by printing a wireless configuration page from the printer’s control panel.

Restart Your Printer and Computer:

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connection issues. Turn off both the printer and your computer, wait for about 30 seconds, and turn them back on.

Set the Printer as Default:

Verify that your HP printer is selected as the computer’s default printer:

Click on the Control Panel in Windows 10.

Go to Devices and Printers.

Choose Set as default printer when you do a right-click on your HP printer.

Solution 2: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

An outdated or corrupted printer driver can prevent your printer from working correctly. Go through the given directions.

Update Printer Driver:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

Expand the Printers section.

Right-click on your HP printer and choose the Update driver.

Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Windows will install any new drivers it discovers. Afterward, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Reinstall Printer Driver:

If updating the driver doesn’t work, you may need to uninstall and reinstall it:

In Device Manager, right-click on your HP printer and select Uninstall device.

Go to the HP Support website to download and install the latest driver for your printer model.

Go through the given directions.

Solution 3: Resolve Paper Jams and Check Ink Levels

Sometimes, physical issues with your printer, such as paper jams or low ink levels, can cause it to go into an error state.

Check for Paper Jams:

Open the printer’s paper tray and remove any stuck or crumpled paper.

Ensure the paper is correctly aligned and that the tray is not overloaded.

Check Ink or Toner Levels:

Most HP printers have a display that shows ink or toner levels. If they are low, replace the cartridges.

If you are using a laser printer, ensure that the toner is not depleted.

Clear Print Queue:

A backed-up print queue can also result in an error state. To clear the print queue:

To access Devices and Printers, open the Control Panel and choose it.

Right-click your HP printer and select See what’s printing.

Click on Printer in the menu and select Cancel All Documents.

Solution 4: Restart the Print Spooler Service

One service that handles print tasks is called the print spooler. If it’s not working correctly, your printer may display an error message. Here’s how to restart it:

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Type services.msc and press Enter.

Find the Print Spooler service by swiping down.

Right-click on Print Spooler and select Restart.

After the service restarts, try printing a document to see if the error state has been resolved.

Solution 5: Update Windows 10

Sometimes, Windows 10 updates can fix bugs and issues related to printers. If your system is not up to date, consider installing the latest updates:

Press Windows + I to open Settings.

Go to Update & Security.

Click on Check for updates and let Windows install any available updates.

After updating, restart your computer and check if your HP printer is still in an error state.

Solution 6: Disable and Re-enable HP Printer

Disabling and re-enabling the HP printer in Windows 10 can help reset the printer configuration. Here’s how:

Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.

Expand the Printers section.

Right-click on your HP printer and choose Disable device.

Wait a few seconds, then right-click the printer again and choose Enable device.

Restart your computer and see if the printer error is resolved.

FAQs

1. Why is my HP printer in an error state?

Your HP printer might be in an error state due to connection issues, outdated drivers, paper jams, or problems with the print spooler.

2. How do I update my HP printer driver?

You can update your HP printer driver by going to Device Manager in Windows 10, finding your printer, and selecting Update driver.

3. What should I do if my HP printer shows a paper jam but there’s no paper stuck?

If your HP printer shows a paper jam error but no paper is visible, turn the printer off, check the paper path and rollers for tiny bits of paper, and restart the printer.

4. How do I restart the print spooler service in Windows 10?

To restart the print spooler service, open the Run dialog by pressing Windows + R, type services.msc, find the Print Spooler service, and click Restart.

5. What should I do if my HP printer still won’t print after trying these steps?

If your printer is still not working, consider contacting HP support or reinstalling the printer software from scratch using the latest drivers from the HP website.

Conclusion

If your HP printer is in an error state on Windows 10, there are several possible solutions to try, ranging from checking physical connections and paper jams to updating drivers and restarting the print spooler service. By systematically following these steps, you can troubleshoot and fix the issue, getting your printer back to normal operation.

In case these methods don’t work, it may be necessary to contact HP customer support for further assistance or have your printer serviced. Ensuring that your system is regularly updated and performing routine printer maintenance can help prevent such issues in the future.