How to troubleshoot common HP printer problems

Is your HP® printer acting up? Maybe it isn’t printing as it should, or it doesn’t turn on when you power it up. Whatever the issue, don’t worry. Printer problems are easier to fix than you may think. 

At Asurion, we take care of you and your tech. Our experts have experience with all major devices and issues—from protecting your tech from the unexpected to fixing wireless connections. Here’s our HP printer troubleshooting guide to help you fix common issues.

Common HP printer issues

Like any other tech device, your printer can face a fair share of hiccups. Some of the most common reasons for a HP printer not working include:

The printer won’t turn on or respond

Is your HP printer not turning on or responding to input? Is it showing no lights or activity? Does it appear to be on but fail to execute print commands? Oftentimes, a printer that won’t power on or is unresponsive indicates issues with the power supply, internal hardware, or software malfunctions.

Paper jams

Sometimes, paper can get stuck inside the printer, preventing it from moving through the printer. Paper jams happen due to:

• Misaligned papers
• Worn-out rollers
• Debris in the printer

When a jam happens, your printer may stop working entirely or print with errors until you clear the blockage.

Printer not printing

Another common issue is when your printer refuses to print despite receiving print commands. The printer might appear to be functioning normally, but it refuses to print documents. The problem could be related to software conflicts, incorrect settings, or connectivity disruptions between the printer and the computer. 

Slow printing or poor print quality

Other times, your printer might be slower than usual. The issue might be you’ve set the printer to prioritize high-quality printing. It might also be network congestion or hardware limitations. 

On the other hand, poor print quality, such as faded texts, streaks, or blurry images, often indicates issues with ink or toner, clogged printheads, or incorrect paper settings. 

Wireless connection issues

Wireless connection issues prevent your printer from communicating with your computers or mobile devices. They may result in print jobs not going through, intermittent disconnection, or difficulty detecting the printer on a network. The culprit could be:

• Weak Wi-Fi signals
• Firmware glitches
• Incorrect network configurations

How to troubleshoot HP printer issues

When your printer stops working, your workflow comes to a complete stop. Thankfully, the most common HP printer issues are typically a quick fix.

Check printer power and connectivity

If your HP printer won’t turn on, confirm that you’ve plugged the power cord securely into both the printer and a working power outlet. Try different outlets to rule out electrical issues. If you use a power strip or surge protector, plug the printer directly into a wall outlet.

Restart and reset the printer

To perform a soft reset:

1. Press and hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds, then release it.
2. Unplug the printer for 60 seconds.
3. Plug it back in and turn it on.

A simple reset can fix several temporary software-related issues, such as:

• HP printer not responding
• HP printer paper jams caused by temporary glitches leading to misfeeds
• Slow printing due to delay in processing print jobs
• Printing failures when tasks get stuck in the queue
• Poor print quality stemming from software glitches
• Wireless connection issues due to network drops

Update HP printer drivers and firmware

If a restart won’t fix your HP printer problem, update the printer’s drivers and firmware. Here's how:

1. Press the Windows Key.
2. Search for and select Check for updates.
3. If updates are available, they should install automatically. If not, click Download and install to start the installation.

You may have to restart your computer to complete the installation process. If your printer issues persist, update its firmware.

1. Connect your printer to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
2. Open your printer’s control panel. From the Menu, select Tools > Maintenance > Firmware. 
3. If your printer doesn’t have the Menu feature, select Setup > Printer Maintenance > Update the Printer. Other printers might require you to go to Setup. Then, select Tools > Update the printer > Check Now. 

Clear paper jams

If you are having a paper jam issue, take these steps:

1. Disconnect the power cord from your printer.
2. Open the paper input and output tray and remove any stuck paper.
3. Open the cartridge access door to check for torn pieces inside the printer.
4. Remove any debris or foreign objects that might be causing the jam.
5. Close the trays and power on your printer.

Check ink or toner levels

If you’ve done all of the above steps to fix your HP printer but it still produces low-quality print jobs, check if the issue is low ink or toner levels. On your printer, check for a Cartridge icon, an Ink drop icon, a Toner Level indicator, or an Ink Levels menu, depending on your printer model. These indicators will give you an idea of whether you need to replace the ink or toner.