Troubleshooting Common HP Printer Issues – Quick Fixes You Can Try
Get back to printing fast with these simple, step-by-step solutions.
— Printer Offline or Not Responding
→ Ensure the printer is powered on and displays “Ready” on the control panel
→ Check USB or Ethernet cable connections, or reconnect to Wi-Fi via the HP Smart app
→ Restart your computer and printer, then select the correct printer in your system’s print dialog
→ Reinstall or update the HP printer driver
— Paper Jams and Feed Errors
→ Open all access panels and gently remove any stuck paper—pull in the direction of the paper path
→ Check for small scraps of paper or debris in the tray and rear access area
→ Fan and realign your paper stack before loading, and adjust the paper guides snugly
→ Use genuine HP media where possible to reduce misfeeds
— Poor Print Quality (Streaks, Fading or Smudges)
→ Run a printhead cleaning or alignment utility from the printer’s onboard menu or HP Smart app
→ Check toner or ink levels and replace low cartridges (find HP supplies at Hewlett Packard)
→ Print a nozzle check or test page—repeat cleaning until lines are complete
→ Verify you’re using the correct paper type in driver settings
— Firmware Update Failures
→ Connect the printer directly to your network (avoid VPNs or proxies)
→ Download the latest firmware from HP’s support site and apply via USB or the HP Smart app
→ If the update stalls, power cycle the printer and try again—avoid interrupting the process once started
→ Ensure the printer has at least 50 MB of free memory before updating
— Wi-Fi & Network Connectivity Issues
→ Confirm your router’s SSID and password haven’t changed; reconnect via the printer’s wireless setup wizard
→ Move the printer closer to the router to improve signal strength
→ Temporarily disable VPNs or firewalls on your computer that may block printer discovery
→ Use WPS push-button setup if supported by both router and printer
— Need More Help?
For replacement cartridges, maintenance kits or further support, browse our full HP range → Hewlett Packard Supplies or use the Ink & Toner Finder → Search Tool
