How To Troubleshoot Common HP Printer Problems | HP® Tech Takes (2024)

Printers in homes and offices around the world are essential, whether you’re working on a professional or personal project. Today’s printers can not only print to better qualities than ever before, but they are also more flexible and functional.

However, printers can be difficult to work with and even the best models will experience the occasional problem. If you need to fix HP printer issues and you’re struggling, we’ve created this brief HP Printer troubleshooting guide to help.

Introducing HP printers

One of the best ways to avoid printer problems is to buy models from reputed names like HP. You can count on our range to be reliable and intuitive, meaning you experience few, if any, problems. Our printers use the latest technology that helps ensure quality and reliability, while our HP printer support team will be happy to help with any issues you have.

As a smart printer, this machine will keep itself up-to-date and ready to use at any time. With up-to-date drivers and other software, this machine will remain compatible and continually perform to expectations. This model also provides online security that will help keep your personal information safe.

Common HP printer problems

HP produces some of the most reliable printers available on the market, but no printer is perfect. Not only that, but there’s also human error to take into account and other, external factors like internet speeds.

Trying to fix HP printer issues can be very frustrating and time-consuming to deal with, potentially harming your productivity levels. To help, we’ve created this brief guide on how to troubleshoot some of the most common HP printer troubleshooting issues you’re likely to encounter.

Paper jams

It’s not uncommon for paper to be misfed into the printer, or for multiple sheets to enter at once. This can cause a jam in the machinery, potentially meaning you must open the machine to try and clear the jam. Not only can this process be time-consuming, but you might also be concerned about damaging the machine or injuring yourself.

If you experience paper jams regularly then you may need to reconsider how you’re feeding paper into the machine. Alternatively, you might need to find another model that’s better suited to how you use it. Bear in mind that some machines are not meant for large print jobs, which might contribute to paper jamming issues.

Out of ink

Most modern printers will give warnings when ink levels are running low, but it’s still possible to miss or forget such warnings when you’re busy with other tasks. Ink cartridges can also experience other issues such as blockages that need cleaning, and refilling the cartridges can also be a messy job. Running out of ink altogether could leave you unable to get work done so it’s best to be prepared and have replacement ink cartridges ready in case.

The HP Smart Tank Plus 559 can also copy and scan and offers a reliable WiFi connection. This model also promises cost-efficient printing without sacrificing quality and is simple to use. This machine is also a good choice for people with concerns about our environment.

Printer not responding

An unresponsive printer error is another common issue with most printers regardless of the brand. At times you might try everything you can think of to rectify the issue, but still, the printer will remain unresponsive.

In many cases, restarting your computer and printer will help rectify the issue. You should also try double-checking that the cables are plugged into the right place and whether they fit securely. In some cases, it might be something as simple as a switch not being turned on, so it’s best to check everything in case.

Most modern printers will also come with software so you may need to check the settings on the app. If you’re still stuck, you might need to contact the HP printer support centre.

Printer driver problem

In some cases, you will get a warning that you have a driver problem. The solution is to locate the driver you need, download it, and install it. The process can become complex and time-consuming, especially when you have multiple printers on a network. And as new products enter the market, you can experience compatibility problems if you don’t keep your drivers updated.

Slow online printing

Online printers can be very convenient to have at work or home, but they’re not without their drawbacks. One such drawback is that the printer might print slowly or produce poor-quality images if the internet connection isn’t fast enough.

In most cases, a slow internet connection is something to speak with your internet service provider about. However, it can also come down to a device's settings or another technical issue with the printer itself.

This model also uses HP’s smart printing system that helps to keep the drivers and other software up-to-date for the best performance. A 35-page auto-feeder also helps prevent jamming issues, while the smart control panel helps make this printer a pleasure to use overall.

Misaligned text and images

If you’re experiencing misaligned text and images then you likely have an issue with the placement of your cartridges. In such cases, it’s often necessary to realign the cartridge and other components so they are all synchronized with each other. Although in some cases, remedying the issue might be as simple as ensuring your cartridges have plenty of ink.

If low ink isn’t the problem then you may need to adjust the machine manually. Thankfully, this is not usually as complex as it might sound and most people will fix the issue quickly. However, you might need to get in touch with HP support if your problem is more complicated.

Loaded queue

Another relatively common printer problem is a loaded queue, which tends to be more common when more than one person uses a printer on a network. This issue tends to happen when multiple jobs are sent to the printer at once, potentially causing processing issues. Print jobs are also supposed to be removed from the queue automatically.

To overcome the loaded queue problem, you may need to reboot the printer to ensure unnecessary printing jobs are removed from the queue. If a loaded queue is a regular problem, you might need to consider investing in a model best suited for use by large teams.

Streaky prints

If your prints are streaky, or if some parts of the print are lighter than others, you might have a clogged printerhead. Printerheads can become clogged when ink turns dry, blocking fresh ink from being released through the nozzles. They can also accumulate dust and other debris that can cause blockages.

Many HP printers come with an option to clean print heads by forcing dried ink, and any other blockages from the cartridges. If this doesn’t work then it may be necessary to clean the print heads yourself manually. How you should do this depends on the type of cartridge you’re using and it’s best to check the printer’s manual first.

Summary

Common HP printer problems are usually easy to solve, but that’s not always the case. Printers have a reputation for being difficult to work with, but HP printers are known for their reliability and ease of use. Not only that, but you can also expect HP printers to provide excellent-quality prints and plenty of functionality.

Regardless, even the best printers will experience issues occasionally and the HP printer guide above will help you overcome some of the most common HP printer problems. If you have tried everything above and your printer is still not working, then get in touch with HP printer support and they will be more than happy to assist.

Not only can HP support help you solve problems with your printer, but they may also be able to make recommendations on how you can get more from your printer.