How to Fix HP Printer Not Working on Windows 11

When it comes to printers, there are several options, but HP printers remain the most popular.They are perfect for personal and professional use.However, like all printers, HP printers can experience errors.

Occasionally, the connection to the HP printer might be lost, or it might go offline unexpectedly.Also, it may refuse to print the document you have requested altogether.

So, what can you do if your HP printer stops working?Let's take a look at some troubleshooting methods to get your printer working properly on Windows.

Why is my HP printer not working on Windows?

An obvious cause could be a loose printer cable.Additionally, there are many other reasons why your HP printer might malfunction, as outlined below:

Faulty or outdated printer drivers: Like every other external device, your printer needs drivers to work.If these drivers are outdated or buggy, they can cause connectivity issues.Don't worry; read on, we have a fix for this problem.

Incorrect printer settings: When you initially connect your HP printer, the HP Smart Software will ask you a few questions.If you misconfigure the settings at that point, it can cause problems in the long run.

Wireless connection problems: If you are using a wireless HP printer, problems with the wireless connection can often cause problems.

Whatever the cause, troubleshooting is easy thanks to HP's various free tools and some Windows utilities.

1. Apply some quick fixes to troubleshoot

Here are some one-time fixes to try and resolve minor printer issues:

1. Check the printer's cable: This might sound simple, but it's a logical fix.Make sure the wire that connects your printer to your computer is connected to the port.To do this, unplug the cable and plug it back in properly.

2. Put your computer and printer on the same network: If you use a wireless printer, this is for you.

3. Run the "Printer Troubleshooting Tool": Open the Windows Settings application, navigate to System > Troubleshooting > Other Troubleshooters.Click "Run" next to the printer to start the troubleshooting tool.Once the tool identifies any issues, it will attempt to fix it automatically.

2. Install the HP Smart app

HP Smart is a Windows software developed by Hewlett-Packard that allows you to set up and perform all printer-related functions from a single application.It lets you scan, print and manage your HP printers from your computer.If you already have the HP Smart app installed, we recommend that you uninstall it completely first.

Now that you have uninstalled the app, follow the steps below to install the HP Smart app on Windows:

1. Openhp smart For the app's download link, go to its Microsoft Store page.

2. In the Microsoft Store window, click the Install button.

3. Open the HP Smart app, click Set Up a New Printer.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your HP printer.

After setup is complete, make sure to restart your computer.This allows your system to update its settings and fully integrate the app.

If you receive a "Printer not found" error message, please visitHP Software and Drivers Website, to install the required drivers for your printer.

Most of the time, wrong printer settings can cause confusion.So, hopefully, the new settings should help you troubleshoot your HP printer issues.

3. Using the HP Print and Scan Doctor Tool

Still having problems with your HP printer?HP also has an effective tool that can help you troubleshoot; it's the HP Print and Scan Doctor Tool.

The HP Print and Scan Doctor Tool is a powerful troubleshooting tool designed to resolve printing and scanning issues with HP printers.Note that it's not the same as the built-in Windows printer troubleshooter, so don't skip this

To start using the tool, first start with theHP Support Sitedownload it.Once downloaded, run the executable and click "Start" to run the troubleshooting tests.

It does it all, from diagnosing a problem to implementing a solution.So, run it every time you face printer-related issues on Windows.

4. Modify your HP printer settings

Sometimes even a tiny misconfiguration in your printer settings can cause it to stop working properly.

So, what to do when your HP printer is not responding because of a wrong setting?An easy solution to this problem is to rework your printer settings on Windows.

Follow the steps below to modify your printer settings:

1. Open the HP Smart App from the Start menu or its desktop shortcut.

2. On the Printer Dashboard screen, tap Printer Settings.

3. A new window will open.Here you can modify your printer's settings.

5. Remove and re-add your HP printer

Sometimes, your computer may not detect your printer despite having the correct settings and proper cable connections.In this case, removing and re-adding your printer can resolve any connectivity issues.

Here's how you re-add your printer:

1. Press Win + Q to launch the Windows Search application.Enter Add a printer or scanner in the text field.

2. In the "Printers and Scanners" window, click the name of your printer.

3. Click the Delete button, disconnect your printer, and refresh the connection.

4. After removing the printer, click Add Printer or Scanner to add the printer again.Alternatively, you can again use the HP Smart App to connect to your printer.

If it still doesn't work in your case, it might be better to try the last method.

6. Restart all HP printer services

There are three components to a printer's work: the printer driver, proper cable connections, and Windows services.If any of these are missing, your HP printer will not work.

In the previous steps, you've checked the drivers and cable connections, so now, let's learn how to restart the printer service as a last resort:

1. Open the Windows Services application on your computer.

2. Locate the HP Print Scan Doctor service in the list, right-click it, and then click Restart.

3. Find the services given below one by one and restart them in the same way:

Printer Spool Service

Printer extension and notification service

Print Workflow Services

If the services mentioned above stop running, your printer may stop working properly.So giving them a quick reboot can often fix any issues and get your printers back in the game.

What if you own a wireless HP printer?

Fortunately, the methods we discussed above also work with wireless printers.However, keep in mind that wireless printers rely on a network connection.So, if your printer still doesn't work, the main problem may be your network connection.

Also, make sure your printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.If they are not together, try restarting your router and connecting them properly.

When you're troubleshooting, try to keep your wireless printer as close to your router as possible.If the printer is too far away, the Wi-Fi signal may become weak, which can cause connection issues.

HP printer not working on Windows, fixed

Printer issues can be annoying, especially when you need to print important documents quickly.But as we've seen in this guide, most printer problems can be easily fixed.

Try these solutions one by one, starting with simple workarounds and moving on to advanced ones.Ultimately, you do get your printer up and running quickly.