Printers are notorious for being finicky. Here’s how to fix the HP printer not working on Windows 11. There are a variety of options when it comes to printers, but HP printers remain the most popular. They are an ideal choice for personal and business use. However, like all printers, HP printers can encounter errors.
Sometimes the connection to the HP printer may be interrupted or it may disconnect unexpectedly. Additionally, it may refuse to print the requested file 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 on Windows.
Read: How to Contact HP Instant Ink by Phone
Why is My HP Printer Not Working on Windows?
An obvious cause could be a loose printer cable. Apart from this, there are many other reasons why your HP printer may malfunction which are described below:
- Faulty or outdated printer drivers: Like any other external device, your printer needs drivers to function. If these drivers are outdated or faulty, they may cause connection issues. Don’t worry; We have a solution to this problem as you move through this guide!
- Improper printer setup: When you initially connect your HP printer, the HP Smart software asks you several questions. If you misconfigure the settings at this time, it can cause problems in the long run.
- Wireless connectivity issues: If you’re using a wireless HP printer, issues with your wireless connection can often cause problems.
Whatever the cause, troubleshooting is easy with a variety of free tools from HP and some Windows utilities.
Easy Steps to Fix HP Printer Not Working on Windows 11
Below are some one-time fixes to attempt to resolve minor printer issues:
- Check the printer cable: This may seem simple, but it is a logical solution. Make sure the wires connecting your printer and computer are connected to the port. To do this, first, unplug the cable and plug it back in correctly.
- Keep your computer and printer on the same network: This is for you if you’re using a wireless printer.
- Run the printer troubleshooter: Open the Windows Settings app and go to System > Troubleshooter > Other troubleshooters. Click Run next to the printer to launch the troubleshooter. Once the tool identifies a problem, it will try to resolve it automatically.
2. Install HP Smart App
HP Smart is Windows software developed by HP, which allows you to configure and perform all printer-related tasks from a single application. It allows you to scan, print, and manage your HP printer from your PC.
Read: Download HP Smart App Setup
Read: Hp Smart App +1-855-233-5515
Now that you have uninstalled the app, follow the steps below to install the HP Smart app on Windows:
- Open the HP Smart App download link to visit its Microsoft Store page.
- In the Microsoft Store window, click the Install button.
- Open the HP Smart app and click Set up a new printer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reconfigure your HP printer.
After setup, make sure to restart your PC. This allows your system to update its settings and integrate with the application correctly.
If you receive the No printer found error, visit the HP Software and Drivers website and install the required drivers for your printer.
Most of the time, poor printer configuration causes damage. So we hope that a fresh setup will help you solve HP printer malfunctioning problems.
3. Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool
Are you still having problems with your HP printer? HP has another effective tool that can help you with troubleshooting; This is the HP Print and Scan Doctor utility.
HP Print and Scan Doctor tool is a powerful troubleshooting tool designed to resolve printing and scanning issues with HP printers. Note that this is separate from the built-in Windows printer troubleshooter, so don’t skip it!
To get started with the tool, first download it from the HP Support website. After downloading it, run the executable file and click Start to run the troubleshooting tests.
Note: Before running the test, make sure that your computer has a stable Internet connection. Any blockage can disrupt the process and lead to incomplete diagnostic results.
From diagnosing the problem to implementing the solution, he does it all. So, run it whenever you face printer-related issues in Windows.
4. Change Your HP Printer Settings
Sometimes even a small configuration error in your printer settings can prevent your printer from working properly.
So, what should you do when your HP printer is unresponsive due to incorrect settings? An easy way to fix this problem is to change your printer settings in Windows again.
Follow the steps below to change your printer settings:
- Open the HP Smart app from the Start menu or its desktop shortcut.
- On the Printer Dashboard screen, click Printer Settings.
- A new window will open. Here you can change your printer settings.
5. Remove and Re-Add Your HP Printer
Sometimes your PC cannot detect your printer, even if the configuration and cable connection is correct. In such cases, removing and reconnecting your printer may resolve all connection issues.
Here’s how to re-add your printer:
- Press Win + Q to launch the Windows Search application. Type Add printer or scanner in the text field.
- In the Printers and Scanners window, click the name of your printer.
- Click the Remove button to disconnect your printer and refresh the connection.
- After removing a printer, click Add printer or scanner to add your printer again. You can also use the HP Smart app again to connect your printer.
If it still doesn’t work in your case, it would be better to try the last method.
6. Restart all HP printer services
Three components make a printer work: the printer driver, an appropriate cable connection, and Windows services. If any of them are missing, your HP printer will not work.
You have already checked the driver and cable connections in the previous steps. Now let’s see how to restart printer services as a last resort:
- Open the Windows Services application on your computer.
- Find the HP Print Scan Doctor service in the list, right-click on it, and then click Restart.
- Find the below services one by one and restart each of them in the same way:
- printer spooler service
- Printer Extension and Notification Service
- Print Workflow Service
If the above services stop working, your printer may stop functioning properly. So giving them a quick reboot can often fix any problems and get your printer back in the game.
HP Printer Not Working on Windows 11, Problem Solved
Printer problems can be annoying, especially when you need to print essential documents quickly. But as we’ve seen in this guide, most printer problems can be easily fixed.
Try these solutions individually, starting with simple solutions and moving towards advanced solutions. Finally, your printer will start up fast.
