HP Printer Troubleshooting

HP Printer Troubleshooting is usually about one of three areas. The software that operates the printer, the print cartridges, or last but not least, actual part failure on the printer.

Most HP printers are both reliable and pretty durable. I've had HP printers last forever and rarely have a problem. But there are few areas where problems can occur. Number one area is the software configuration and installation. The number two area is something going awry with the ink cartridges. And the last area is a failure or problem with the actual printer.

HP printer troubleshooting is fairly easy and most problems are easily resolved. If it turns out that the printer has a failed part (and that's easy to determine), then the best solution is to replace the printer since it's often way cheaper to buy a new one than pay to fix a broken one.

We'll be discussing inkjet printers for the most part. Laser printers have some common problems and solutions but they are different enough that we'll do a separate article. HP printer troubleshooting for inkjet models is very straight forward using a three step method that we recommend.

Here's a quick list of items to have on hand. Known working print cartridges, hopefully new. The manual for your printer (you need to know how to do a test page directly from your printer model). Paper, and the CD or software drivers for your particular model of printer.

If you are installing your printer for the first time, go here for information: HP Printer Installation.

Most printing problems fall into three categories. Communication and software configuration (60%), ink cartridge problems (25%), and printer part failure (15%).

Communication and Software Configuration:

If you are not able to print from your computer, you get print jobs stuck in your printing queue, or you get errors on your screen, these can all be signs of the printer being off line or software problems.

The easiest way to find out if your software or communications are the problem is to go to your printer and print out a test page. Check your manual for the key combination and see if the printer will print any test page. If the page fails to print, go to the ink cartridge section. If your printer does print the test sheet, we've got software or cable issue.

Check your cable, believe it or not this a common problem. The connections can work themselves loose or the cable can actually go bad. Shut down your computer, turn off your printer, and unplug then plug your cable back in to both devices. And if you have another known working cable, plug it in and turn the equipment back on and try to print.

If this doesn't work, the best thing to try next is to uninstall your printer from the computer and then re-install the software drivers. You want to go through the Control Panel to the install/uninstall section and do a clean uninstall. Unplug your printer, when you do a clean install it will tell you when to connect your printer. HP printers software installs as an application and will guide you through the process. Follow the instructions and print a test page. If it works, great, if not, go to the next section.

Ink Cartridge Problems:

If you just tried to print a test page or you have already re-installed the printer software and your printer still won't print it could be that one or several of your print cartridges are empty or damaged and not returning the proper signal to the printer. HP has a chip embedded into their ink cartridges that talk to the printer about levels of ink and if the ink cartridge is a legit HP brand. Failure of the chip to report either information will stop all print functions. You have little choice but to replace the cartridge even if you know there is ink left. Many models require all cartridges to be changed at the same time, some don't. The safe bet is to go with new cartridges and try a test print. I realize that the ink cartridges are pricey but if you want to print, you need to replace the cartridges. If this works, you obviously done. If not, go to next section on part failures.

Printer Part Failures:

If you've checked all the above and your printer still is not printing, it most likely means that the hardware or logic boards in your printer have failed. The mean failure time for most inkjet printers is 3-5 years of moderate use. If your printer is over three years old, it might be time to bite the bullet and replace it. The reasons are very simple, cost. To repair a low end printer is more expensive than to fix it. If you printer cost less than $100 or even more, the cost to just look at it is usually at least $75. Then add any parts and the labor to replace them and it's just not a good investment. On very high end models that cost over $500, it might be worth investigating. But if you fall into the $100 and below printer buyer, it's rarely worth the cost to repair.

You can find some great entry level (read low price), good value (more volume and multiple features) inkjet printers, and laser printers on this page here: Buy HP Printers. All models have been highly ranked by users and offer a quick solution if you find you need a new printer.

HP printer troubleshooting is a simple three step process. Many times it's just a re-install of your software drivers or ink cartridge replacement. But all electronics will fail at some point and it's rarely cost effective to repair most home or casual use inkjet printers.

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