Fix: HP DeskJet Printer Not Printing

The HP DeskJet series is a favorite among home offices and everyday users. With its compact design and rich feature set, it’s often a top choice for printing documents, photos, and more. One of the most frustrating issues users encounter is their HP DeskJet printer suddenly stopping printing, even if everything appears to be set up correctly. If nothing happens when you click “Print,” don’t panic. This blog will guide you through possible causes and provide step-by-step instructions on how to get your HP DeskJet printer back online.

Why Is My HP DeskJet Printer Not Printing?

Even if your HP DeskJet printer appears to be functioning normally, it might not print for a variety of reasons.

A common cause is low or empty ink cartridges. Printing may stop if the printer is out of ink or the cartridges are not installed correctly.

Another possible cause is a clogged printhead, especially if the printer has not been used for an extended period. Ink can dry and clog the nozzles, preventing ink from being applied to the paper.

Connectivity issues are also common. Whether your printer uses Wi-Fi or a USB cable, any interruption in the connection can prevent a print job from completing.

Similarly, if your computer attempts to send a print job to the wrong printer, such as a virtual printer or other device, you may wonder why the printer isn’t responding.

Finally, software issues such as outdated drivers or a backed-up print queue can interfere with the printer’s operation.

HP DeskJet Printer Not Printing, How to Fix It?

If your HP DeskJet won’t print, don’t worry. Many solutions are simple and only take a few minutes. Follow the steps below in order, checking your printer after each step to see if the problem is resolved.

1. Check Printer Status First

First, take a moment to check the physical status of your printer. Is the printer turned on? Are there any flashing lights or error messages on the display? Is the paper tray properly loaded?

You’ll also want to make sure the power cord is securely connected to the wall outlet and the printer. Additionally, if your printer has an LCD screen, check for any error codes or low-ink warnings. Also, double-check that the paper is properly loaded and there are no paper jams.

2. Make Sure the Printer is Set as Default

Once you’ve confirmed the printer is operational, check your computer’s print settings. If your

After confirming your printer is working properly, check your computer’s print settings. If you have multiple printers installed, jobs may be sent to the wrong device.

This issue is particularly common in shared homes or offices with multiple printers, such as the HP DeskJet 2331, HP DeskJet 2755e, HP DeskJet 4155e, and HP DeskJet Plus 4152.

To fix this on Windows, go to “Settings” > “Devices” > “Printers & scanners,” click on your DeskJet, and select “Set as default.”

On macOS, go to “System Preferences” > “Printers & Scanners,” then select the printer and make it the default.

3. Inspect Ink Cartridges and Printhead

If your printer turns on and nothing appears on the page, the problem may be with the ink. Open the ink cartridge access door and inspect the ink cartridges for signs of low ink, damage, or improper installation.

You can manually clean the printhead by removing the ink cartridge and wiping it with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water. See the blog post What Is a Printer Printhead for details.

Alternatively, you can run a cleaning routine using the software options on the printer or through HP Smart. This issue typically occurs on the HP DeskJet 2652, HP DeskJet 2700 series, HP DeskJet 3752, and HP DeskJet Plus 4132 printers.

Be sure to reinstall the ink cartridges firmly and verify that you are using the correct ink type for your model. Using incompatible ink can cause print quality issues or even prevent printing altogether.

4. Resolve Connection Problems (Wi-Fi or USB)

Connectivity issues are a major cause of print job failures.

If you’re using a USB connection, make sure the cable is intact and securely plugged in. For Wi-Fi connections, make sure the printer is connected to the correct network.

You can also try printing a network configuration page from the printer itself to verify the connection. This fix is particularly useful for the HP DeskJet 3700 series, HP DeskJet 2723e, HP DeskJet Plus 4155, and HP DeskJet 3510.

You can also use the HP Smart app to reconfigure or troubleshoot your wireless connection. If your router has recently changed (new network name or password), you’ll need to reconnect the printer. See How To Change Wi-Fi On HP Printer for more information.

5. Update or Reinstall HP Drivers and Software

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause a variety of printing issues. Thankfully, HP offers a convenient driver update service, which you can access through its website or the HP Smart app.

To update your driver on Windows, go to Device Manager, locate your printer, and select “Update Driver.” Alternatively, you can download the latest software from support.hp.com.

If the update doesn’t work, completely uninstall the printer software, restart your computer, and then reinstall using the latest driver from HP.

6. Clear the Print Queue

Sometimes, stuck print jobs can block the entire queue, making the printer appear unresponsive. You can clear the queue and restart the print spooler service.

On Windows, go to “Control Panel” > “Devices and Printers,” right-click your printer, and select “See what’s printing.” Cancel any pending jobs. You may also need to restart the “print spooler” under Services.

7. Use HP Print and Scan Doctor (Windows)

For PC users, HP offers a free utility called HP Print and Scan Doctor that can automatically diagnose and fix many printing problems.

This tool is recommended for the following models: HP DeskJet 2755, HP DeskJet 3052A, HP DeskJet 2549, and HP DeskJet Plus 4158e.

Simply download and run the tool from the HP website. It will guide you through a series of diagnostics and provide automated fixes.

8. Try a Test Page or Print from Another App

To determine if the problem lies with the printer or your current application (such as Word or Chrome), try printing a test page from the printer control panel or another application.

This may occur with printers such as the HP DeskJet 2622, HP DeskJet 4155e, HP DeskJet Plus 4100 series, and HP DeskJet 2710e.

This can help isolate the problem. If the test page prints correctly but other jobs do not, the problem may be with your document, file type, or software.

9. Factory Reset the HP DeskJet Printer

If all else fails, resetting your printer to factory settings may help resolve hidden software issues. Note that this will erase all saved settings, including Wi-Fi configurations.

Most HP DeskJet models allow you to perform a reset by simultaneously pressing and holding the “Cancel” and “Wireless” buttons for 10-15 seconds, but check your user manual or the HP website for specific instructions for your model. Learn more in our blog post, “How to Reset HP Printer Wi-Fi?“

Conclusion

When your HP DeskJet printer won’t print, the problem is often simple—low ink, a bad connection, or a software malfunction. Follow the steps above in order, and you’ll likely find a fix to get your printer back up and running. To avoid future problems, keep your printer software updated, clean your ink cartridges regularly, and monitor ink levels. If the problem persists after a factory reset, consider contacting HP Support for more in-depth troubleshooting. Still having problems? Maybe it’s time for a new printer or at least new ink cartridges.