There are many reasons your printer has sent errors. It could be due to a malfunctioning driver, software updates, or even a disconnect between your printer and your computer.
Check out the troubleshooting tips below to identify your printer’s issue and how you can fix it.
From the simplest to the hardest, you can find eight steps you can take to eliminate that “printer in error state” message. These methods are effective for HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, and Lexmark printers.
1. Check Printer and Computer Connections
It’s as simple as it seems; problems related to the physical connection of the printer and computer are often neglected.
You must have a cord in excellent working order and plug straight into an outlet, not a surge protector. It should also be connected securely to your printer and computer.
If you can wirelessly connect your printer to your PC, go into settings to ensure that your computer recognizes the printer. (Settings > > Devices > Add Printer or scanner). Check that the correct printer is selected and the status reads “Online.”
2. Make Sure Paper Tray Is Loaded
If you’ve sent an order for printing to your printer, but there isn’t any paper in the tray, the printer could be unable to function correctly.
Lift the tray physically and examine if there’s any paper jam. Lift the tray to fill it with a small stack of paper, pressing it entirely into the tray, and then attempt to send printing.
3. Check Ink Cartridges
Similar to the paper issue, Printers must be equipped with suitable ink cartridges loaded before printing any document. Check the manual for your printer to make sure the cartridges you’re using work for the model you have.
Also, make sure that the cartridges contain sufficient ink. Your printer should notify you when the cartridges are empty. However, you could miss the alert due to an “error state” notification.
Before loading just any type of paper, it is recommended to be sure that your printer can handle it.
4. Restart the Printer and Computer
If all of the above features appear to be working but still show the “error state” message persists, then you must restart your printer and computer.
To turn off the printer, push and hold on to the power button till the printer powers down. Unplug the power cord from the printer’s wall and the wall for 15 minutes. Some manufacturers suggest pressing the power switch for 15 seconds when the printer is not connected. Connect the power cord and turn the printer on.
5. Confirm Printer Is Online
If you’re trying to send an order for printing and the printer isn’t connected, you’ll see the “error state” message on your display. Many printers have a “Use Printer Offline” mode that blocks your printer’s ability to connect with the internet. Certain printers can enter “Sleep Mode,” appearing offline.
Select the Settings tab, then Devices and Printers and scanners. Click on the printer you want to use. Open the queue, then choose which printer you want to use from the drop-down menu. Make sure that ‘Use Printer Offline is checked off.
The printer should connect to a WiFi network as your computer.
6. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
If none of these solutions have worked for you, it is possible to upgrade or reinstall the driver of your printer. Manufacturers often update their drivers to enhance the performance of their printers. Installing the driver for your printer is similar to reinstalling your whole printer.
Visit Device Manager. Click on Device Manager, right-click or press hold the printer, and select “Update driver” or “Update Driver Software.”
Uninstall the program and reboot your system if neither of the above options is available. If your computer comes back up, go to the exact location and select ‘Install.’
7. Reset Print Spooler
The print spooler program is an application that manages printing jobs sent by the computer. Print spoolers are jammed when too many jobs are delivered to the printer in a hurry, which is usually an issue for shared printers.
You can use Task Manager to reset your printer Spooler. Go through the Services tab. Look for the service Spooler, right-click, and select ‘Restart.’
If restarting isn’t an option, switch off the spooler for 30 seconds, then wait 30 seconds before you restart it.
8. Update Printer Firmware
If you think your printer has outdated firmware that requires an update, you can download the latest firmware for your PC from the printer’s manufacturer’s website.
Check out the firmware available on the printer’s website to make sure you download the correct firmware update. Firmware updates for printers can fix minor issues, such as errors and messages, and enable printers to function more efficiently.
