Printers are as important in a professional setup as they are for a home. Sometimes, a printer not responding becomes frustrating to work with. Hardware, software, and connectivity are common reasons behind such behavior from the printer. There are ways to solve it.
Here are some useful fixes that might bring your printer back into service.
1. Verify Printer Connections
The first step is to make sure all your connections are secure. A loosely connected printer does not usually recognize your computer.
What to Do:
- Make sure the printer is turned on.
- Make sure the USB cable is securely plugged in or that the wireless connection is stable.
- If your printer is not set up as the default, the computer may send the print job to another printer or the task will not be completed at all.
- Right-click on the printer and select “Set as Default Printer.
2. Designate the Printer as Default
If your printer is not set up as the default, the computer may send the print job to another printer or the task will not be completed at all.
Steps for Setting Default Printer:
- Open the “Control Panel” of your computer.
- Open “Devices and Printers.”
- Right-click on the printer and select “Set as Default Printer.”
This ensures that the correct device receives all print jobs.
3. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers are responsible for a big portion of the cases of the unresponsiveness of the printer. Updated drivers ensure compatibility and proper working.
How to update drivers:
- Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest printer model’s driver version.
- Install the driver as prompted by the screen.
- Restart the computer afterward.
In case updating did not work, uninstall the current driver and reinstall it to solve some internal software conflict.
4. Troubleshoot Network
The connectivity problems of a wireless printer can cause a printer not to respond. Ensure that your printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Network Troubleshooting Tips:
- Restart your router and re-establish the printer’s connection to Wi-Fi.
- Check the IP address of the printer for the same as the configuration of the network.
- Use the network diagnostics tool that the manufacturer of the printer offers for diagnosis and troubleshooting.
A well-configured network will largely clear the ailing instances of an unresponsive printer.
5. Clear Print Queue
A block in the print queue will lock your printer out from accepting new incoming jobs.
Sometimes, all that needs to be done is clear the queue and repair the problem.
Steps to Clear Print Queue:
- Open “Devices and Printers” on your computer.
- Click on your printer; right-click; see what’s printing.
- Cancel all the queued jobs.
- After clearing the queue, attempt to send a new print command to see if the problem persists.
6. Printer Troubleshooter Scan
Most operating systems include troubleshooting tools that scan for common problems with your printer.
How to Use the Troubleshooter:
- Follow: Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners
- Select your printer and click on Troubleshoot.
- Observe the instructions created by your system.
The troubleshooter will automatically find any issues and printer not printing solutions to resolve them.
7. Inspect Hardware Problems
Sometimes, the issue is not about the software. Physical problems in the printer, for example, jammed papers, low inks, or hardware failure, can cause a printer not to respond to errors.
What to Check
- For paper jams, clear them slowly.
- Check that the cartridges contain enough ink or toner.
- Check for error messages on the printer screen.
Hardware-related disruptions can be avoided by regular maintenance.
This can be achieved by troubleshooting and resolving issues in the printer. Update the drivers, fix network problems, or clear the print queue among other things, to avoid such problems that ensure printing without hassle. More tips on how to troubleshoot your printer are available at Printer Not Working.