Before you start troubleshooting your HP Printer, check the three most obvious and common culprits first!
Top 3 HP Printer Problems
1. The HP Printer is not plugged in or there is a problem with the power outlet 2. The printer is out of ink and/ or paper 3. The HP Printer is not connected to your computer (USB or Ethernet cable), or if printing via a wireless connection, there is a problem with the WiFi If you have checked the above issues and are confident that the cause of your printer problems lies elsewhere, then read on for more HP Printer troubleshooting tips. When your HP Printer fails to print, the reason for this failure falls into one of two categories, software or hardware. A hardware issue is one that relates to the actual hardware, in this case the printer. A software issue relates to programs or communication between devices (such as the communication between your Computer and HP Printer). It can be unclear which category a problem falls into so we have tried to clarify the possible HP Printer issues below.
HP Printer Hardware Issue
A printer hardware issue is likely to be a physical problem with the printer. This can be as simple as a cable not plugged in fully or it can be a more complex mechanical problem. Our advice is always to check the obvious first. Is there power going to the printer? If not, rule out other power issues such as problems with fuses or sockets before assuming the problem is with the HP Printer. Is paper getting stuck? Is there an unusual sound from the printer that may point to mechanical problems? HP Printer hardware problems are beyond the remit of this article but our advice would be to detail the symptoms of the problem before trying to troubleshoot it. Note the circumstances under which the errors/ problems occur. Sometimes, issues that seem mechanical can actually be software or Driver-related. For example, if your printer is not responding at all to print commands, this does not necessarily mean the printer is broken, it is most likely an issue with the communication between the computer and printing device.
HP Printer Software Issue
If your HP Printer is not printing, not recognized by your computer or behaving/ printing erratically then the problem may be with your HP Printer Drivers. You should keep your Drivers up-to-date to ensure all your devices run efficiently and effectively. Drivers may be out of date or may become corrupt over time. Also, the addition of new software or an upgrade to a new Operating System may cause problems with Device Drivers such as HP Print Drivers.
This software will scan your computer for missing or out-of-date Drivers and the Drivers report will tell you what Drivers you need to update. You can use this information to search for and download these Drivers yourself, or you can register a Driver Update Tool and automate all your HP Printer and other Driver Updates.
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