When Windows shows your HP printer as "In an error state," it means Windows can see the printer but can't communicate with it properly. It's not usually a hardware failure — most of the time it's a software or connection issue.

Step 1: Restart Everything

This sounds simple, but a full power cycle fixes this error about a third of the time:

  1. Turn off the printer using its power button.
  2. Unplug the printer's power cord from the wall (not just the back of the printer).
  3. Restart your computer.
  4. After the computer has fully restarted, plug the printer's power cord back in and turn it on.
  5. Wait for the printer to finish its startup cycle, then try printing.

Step 2: Check the USB or Network Connection

For USB printers: Unplug the USB cable from both the printer and the PC. Try a different USB port on the PC — avoid USB hubs and plug directly into the computer. Try a different USB cable if you have one. Damaged cables are a surprisingly common cause of the error state.

For network printers: Make sure the printer's wireless indicator is lit (not blinking). Print a wireless network test from the printer's control panel to confirm it's connected. If the IP address has changed, Windows may be trying to reach the printer at an old address — remove and re-add the printer in Settings.

Step 3: Run the HP Print and Scan Doctor

HP provides a free diagnostic tool called HP Print and Scan Doctor. Download it from HP's support site, run it, and select your printer. It automatically detects and fixes the most common causes of the error state, including driver issues and spooler problems.

Step 4: Restart the Print Spooler

Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click it and choose Restart. Then go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, click your HP printer, and check if the error state is gone.

Step 5: Reinstall the HP Driver

Remove the printer from Settings, then go to hp.com/support, search for your model, and download the full HP software and driver package. Reinstall it fresh. When the installer asks how the printer is connected, choose the correct option (USB or Wireless).

Still seeing the error state? Ask us — some models have known firmware bugs that HP has issued updates for.