HP Printer Won’t Print? Troubleshoot and Fix Common Issues

Is your HP printer refusing to print? It’s a common frustration, but often solvable with a few troubleshooting steps. If you’re facing the dreaded “Hp Will Not Print” message, this guide will walk you through diagnosing and resolving the issue, focusing on network connectivity problems which are frequently the culprit when your HP wireless printer stops working.

Is Your HP Printer Properly Connected to Your Network?

A shaky or lost network connection is a primary reason why your HP printer might suddenly stop printing. Here’s how to check and ensure your printer is online:

• Check the Wireless Light: Locate the wireless light indicator on your HP printer’s control panel.
  • Steady Blue Light: Excellent! This usually signifies a stable connection to your Wi-Fi network.
  • Flashing Light: This indicates your printer is not currently connected to your network and is likely the reason why your HP printer will not print.
• Reconnect to Wi-Fi: If the wireless light is flashing, you’ll need to re-establish the network connection.
  1. Navigate to the printer’s control panel.
  2. Look for options like “Setup,” “Network,” or “Wireless.”
  3. Select “Wireless Setup Wizard.”
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect your printer to your Wi-Fi network. Ensure you select the correct network name (SSID) and enter the password accurately.

Once your printer is connected to the network (indicated by a steady blue light), it’s a good idea to assign a static IP address. This can help prevent connection drops and ensure consistent communication between your computer and printer.

Assigning a Static IP Address to Your HP Printer

A static IP address provides a more stable and reliable network connection for your printer compared to a dynamic IP address which can change periodically. Here’s how to set one up:

1. Obtain Your Printer’s IP Address:
   • On your printer’s control panel, tap or touch the “wireless” icon (it usually looks like Wi-Fi waves).
   • The printer’s IP address (IPv4 address) should be displayed on the screen. Note this address down.
2. Access the Printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS):
   • Open a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) on your computer.
   • In the address bar, type the IP address you obtained in the previous step and press Enter.
   • This should open the HP printer’s EWS page – a web interface for managing your printer’s settings.
3. Configure Network Settings:
   • In the EWS interface, look for a “Network” tab or similar.
   • Navigate to “General” or “Network Protocols.”
   • Find “Network protocols” and select “Enable IPv4 only” (or a similar option that prioritizes IPv4). Apply these settings.
   • Go back to the “Network” tab and find “Wireless (802.11)” or “Wi-Fi Settings.”
   • Click on “Network Address (IPv4)” or “IP Configuration.”
   • Select the radio button labeled “Manual IP” or “Static IP.”
   • Click on “Suggest a manual IP address” or “Suggest IP Address.” The printer will suggest an IP address within your network range. You can use this suggested IP or adjust it slightly if needed.
   • Select the radio button for “Manual DNS Server.”
   • Enter 8.8.8.8 as the “Manual Preferred DNS Server” and 8.8.4.4 as the “Manual Alternate DNS Server.” These are Google’s public DNS servers, which are reliable and fast.
   • Apply or Save the changes. Your printer now has a static IP address.

Reinstalling Your HP Printer Software and Drivers

Sometimes, corrupted or outdated printer software can cause communication problems, leading to “HP will not print” errors. A clean reinstall can often resolve these software-related issues.

Follow these steps to completely reinstall your HP printer software:

1. Disconnect USB Cable (if applicable): If your printer is connected to your computer via a USB cable, unplug it now.
2. Uninstall HP Printer Software:
   • Open “Control Panel” on your Windows computer (search for “Control Panel” in the Start Menu).
   • Go to “Programs and Features” or “Uninstall a program.”
   • Locate all entries related to your HP Officejet printer (or your specific HP printer model).
   • Select each HP printer entry and click “Uninstall.” Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process for each entry.
3. Remove Printer Devices:
   • In Control Panel, go to “Devices and Printers” or “View devices and printers.”
   • Find all icons representing your HP printer.
   • Right-click on each printer icon and select “Remove device” or “Delete.”
4. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to ensure the uninstallation is fully completed and to refresh system settings.
5. Check and Start Essential Services:
   • After restarting, press the Windows logo key + R to open the “Run” dialog box.
   • Type services.msc and press “OK” to open the Services window.
   • Scroll down to find “Remote Procedure Call (RPC).”
   • Right-click on “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” and select “Properties.”
   • Ensure that the “Startup type” is set to “Automatic” and the “Service status” is “Running” or “Started.” If not, change the “Startup type” to “Automatic” and click “Start” under “Service status,” then click “Apply” and “OK.”
   • Scroll up to find “Function Discovery Provider Host.”
   • Right-click on “Function Discovery Provider Host” and select “Properties.”
   • Change the “Startup type” to “Manual” and click “Start” under “Service status” if it’s not already running. Click “Apply” and “OK.”
   • Repeat the same steps for “Function Discovery Resource Publication” – set “Startup type” to “Manual” and start the service if needed.
6. Download and Install the Latest Printer Software:
   • Open a web browser and go to HP’s official support website: https://support.hp.com.
   • Enter your HP printer model number in the search bar.
   • Navigate to the “Software and Drivers” or “Drivers” section for your printer model.
   • Download the “Full Feature Software and Drivers” or “Full Web Pack” – this usually includes the complete printer software suite.
   • Run the downloaded installer file.
   • During the installation process, when prompted for the connection type, choose “Wireless” or “Network connection.”
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the software installation and connect your printer to your network.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve many common “HP will not print” issues, especially those related to network connectivity and software problems. If you continue to experience printing problems after trying these solutions, it might indicate a more complex issue, and you may need to contact HP support for further assistance.