HP Printer Not Printing? Here's How to Fix HP Printer Issues
Your HP printer accepts print jobs but nothing prints. HP Smart shows everything's fine, but no output. Here's why—and exactly how to fix it.
1. The "HP Smart Queue" Stuck Jobs Problem
HP Smart maintains its own print queue separate from Windows. When jobs get stuck in HP Smart's queue, they block new print jobs from printing, even though the printer appears ready.
The Fix: Clear HP Smart queue. Open HP Smart app → click your printer → View Queue → cancel all pending jobs. Also clear Windows print queue: Settings → Printers → HP printer → See what's printing → Printer → Cancel All Documents. Restart Print Spooler service (services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart). This clears both queues and allows new jobs to print.
2. The "HP Cartridge Chip" Error
HP printers use chips on ink cartridges to communicate with the printer. If the chip is dirty, damaged, or reports incorrect status, the printer may refuse to print—even if cartridges have ink.
The Fix: Clean cartridge contacts and reseat cartridges. Turn off printer, remove cartridges, clean chip contacts with lint-free cloth (dampened slightly with water if needed), clean contacts inside printer where cartridges sit, reinstall cartridges firmly until they click, turn printer on. If using third-party cartridges, HP Smart may report errors—try genuine HP cartridges to test. Some HP models allow resetting cartridge status in service menu.
3. The "HP Print Head Alignment" Failure
HP printers require periodic print head alignment. If alignment fails or is skipped, the printer may refuse to print until alignment is completed successfully.
The Fix: Run print head alignment. HP Smart → Printer Settings → Tools → Print Quality Tools → Align Printheads → follow on-screen instructions. Alternatively, printer menu → Settings → Tools → Align Printheads. Print alignment page, select best alignment pattern, complete alignment. Some HP printers prompt for alignment automatically—don't skip it. Alignment ensures print heads are positioned correctly for quality printing.
4. The "HP Instant Ink" Service Interference
HP Instant Ink is a subscription service that monitors ink levels. If Instant Ink service has issues or your subscription lapses, it can prevent printing—the printer waits for Instant Ink authorization before printing.
The Fix: Check Instant Ink status in HP Smart app → Account → Instant Ink. Ensure subscription is active. If you don't want Instant Ink, disable it: HP Smart → Printer Settings → Instant Ink → turn off. Or cancel subscription on HP website. After disabling, printer should print normally with regular cartridges. Some HP printers require disabling Instant Ink through printer menu → Settings → Instant Ink → disable.
5. The "HP Driver Port" Configuration Issue
HP printer drivers can be configured with wrong port settings. If the driver points to a non-existent port or wrong IP address, print jobs are sent to nowhere and nothing prints.
The Fix: Verify and fix printer port. Settings → Printers → HP printer → Printer properties → Ports tab → verify correct port is checked. For USB printers, ensure USB port is selected. For network printers, verify IP address matches printer's actual IP (print network configuration page to check). If port is wrong, select correct port or add new TCP/IP port with correct IP address. Test port by pinging printer's IP address (Command Prompt → ping [IP address]).
6. The "HP Firmware Update" Required
Some HP printers require firmware updates to work properly with newer Windows versions. Outdated firmware can cause printing failures, communication errors, or printer not responding to print jobs.
The Fix: Update HP printer firmware. HP Smart → Printer Settings → Updates → check for firmware updates → install if available. Alternatively, HP website → Support → enter printer model → Software & Drivers → Firmware → download and install. Ensure printer stays powered on during firmware update—don't interrupt it. After update, restart printer and test printing. Firmware updates can fix compatibility issues with Windows updates.
Step-by-Step HP Printer Fix
- Check printer status: Ensure printer is powered on, no error lights blinking, paper loaded, ink/toner levels adequate.
- Clear print queues: Clear HP Smart queue and Windows print queue, cancel all stuck jobs.
- Restart Print Spooler: Services → Print Spooler → Restart.
- Update HP Smart: Microsoft Store → HP Smart → Update.
- Check printer is online: Uncheck "Use Printer Offline" in printer queue.
- Verify connection: Check USB cable or Wi-Fi connection, ensure printer is on network.
- Update HP drivers: Download latest drivers from HP website for your printer model.
- Run print head cleaning: HP Smart → Tools → Clean Printheads (for inkjet printers).
- Check cartridge installation: Remove and reseat cartridges, clean contacts.
- Print test page: Print internal test page from printer menu to verify hardware works.
HP-Specific Diagnostic Guide
| Issue | Diagnosis | Action |
|---|---|---|
| HP printer accepts jobs but no output | Stuck queue or spooler issue | Clear queues, restart spooler |
| HP Smart shows error | HP Smart software issue | Update or remove HP Smart |
| HP printer prints blank pages | Low ink or clogged head | Check ink, run head cleaning |
| HP printer not responding | Driver or firmware issue | Update drivers and firmware |
Need Professional Help?
If your HP printer continues to not print despite trying these solutions, there may be deeper HP Smart conflicts, driver issues, or hardware problems. Our technicians specialize in HP printer troubleshooting and can help resolve printing issues.
Contact SupportFrequently Asked Questions
HP printers don't print due to corrupted or outdated drivers, connection issues (USB or Wi-Fi), HP Smart software conflicts, print spooler service stopped, printer offline status, low or empty ink cartridges, paper jams, or incorrect printer settings. Fix by updating HP drivers, checking connection, updating HP Smart, restarting print spooler, bringing printer online, checking ink levels, clearing jams, and verifying printer settings.
Fix HP printer accepting jobs but not printing: Restart Print Spooler service (services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart). Check print queue for stuck jobs (Settings → Printers → See what's printing → cancel stuck jobs). Ensure printer is online (uncheck "Use Printer Offline"). Update HP drivers from HP website. Check printer display for error messages. Verify ink/toner levels. Clear any paper jams. For network printers, verify connection and try printing internal test page from printer menu.
Yes, HP Smart software can cause printing problems if outdated, corrupted, or conflicting with Windows printer settings. HP Smart manages printer communication—if it malfunctions, print jobs may not reach the printer. Fix by updating HP Smart from Microsoft Store, uninstalling and reinstalling HP Smart, or removing HP Smart and using Windows built-in printer management. Many HP printers work fine without HP Smart—try printing without it to see if that resolves the issue.
Fix HP printer not printing Windows 11: Update HP Smart software (Microsoft Store → Updates). Verify printer connection (USB or Wi-Fi). Restart Print Spooler service. Update HP printer drivers from HP website for Windows 11. Settings → Printers & scanners → ensure HP printer is set as default. Uncheck "Use Printer Offline" if checked. Clear print queue of stuck jobs. Check printer display for error codes. Verify ink/toner levels and paper loaded correctly.
HP printers print blank pages due to low or empty ink cartridges, clogged print head nozzles, incorrect driver settings (wrong paper type, draft mode), vacuum lock in new cartridges (air vent blocked), or cartridge chip errors. Fix by checking ink levels, running print head cleaning utility (HP Smart → Printer Settings → Tools → Print Quality Tools → Clean Printheads), verifying driver settings match paper loaded, clearing cartridge air vents, and ensuring cartridges are properly installed. For HP laser printers, shake toner cartridge to redistribute toner.
Yes, HP printers work without HP Smart. Add printer directly through Windows Settings → Printers & scanners → Add printer. Windows will install basic drivers, or download HP Universal Print Driver or model-specific driver from HP website. Printing works fine without HP Smart—you'll just lose some HP Smart features like ink level monitoring and scanning. Many users find HP printers more reliable without HP Smart, especially if HP Smart is causing printing problems.
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