If your HP printer doesn’t work in Windows 10, the most common causes are driver or connection problems — but several other software, network, and hardware issues can interfere. This article lists eleven likely reasons and gives clear, step‑by‑step fixes so you can get printing again quickly.
You’ll learn practical checks (cables, network), how to reinstall drivers and services, Windows tricks (spooler restart, troubleshooters), and preventative tips to avoid repeat problems.
Key Takeaway
The fastest reliable fix is to confirm connectivity, restart the Print Spooler service, and reinstall the correct HP driver (downloaded from HP or installed using HP Print and Scan Doctor); these steps solve most Windows 10 printing failures.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| Missing or outdated driver | Download and install the latest HP driver from the HP Support website or use HP Print and Scan Doctor. |
| Printer shows offline or paused | Set the printer as Online and clear any paused or stuck jobs in Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. |
| USB or cable connection issue | Replace the USB/ethernet cable and try another USB port or direct connection to the PC. |
| Wi‑Fi/network problems | Restart the router and printer, verify the printer IP, and reconnect the printer to Wi‑Fi. |
| Print Spooler service stopped or corrupted | Restart Print Spooler via services.msc or run net stop spooler / net start spooler as admin. |
| Stuck print queue | Open Services or Print Queue, delete jobs from C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, then restart spooler. |
| Windows update broke driver | Roll back or reinstall the printer driver in Device Manager or use Windows Update optional driver updates. |
| Firewall or antivirus blocking | Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus or allow the printer through Windows Defender Firewall. |
| Incorrect printer IP or DNS conflict | Assign a static IP or reserve via router DHCP; update printer configuration in Printers & scanners. |
| Permission or user account issue | Run printing apps as admin or add user to Print Operators, check network sharing permissions. |
| Hardware faults (paper jam, low ink, firmware) | Check for jams, replace consumables, and update printer firmware from HP support. |
Detailed Fixes for “HP printer doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1. Missing or outdated driver
Why this causes the problem:
- Windows needs the correct driver to communicate with your HP printer. An incorrect, missing, or outdated driver can prevent printing, cause errors, or stop the printer from being recognized.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Select the printer and click Remove device if it’s misbehaving.
- Download the latest driver for your model from the HP Support site: go to https://support.hp.com, enter your printer model, and download the Windows 10 driver package.
- Run the downloaded installer and follow prompts. Choose USB or Network as appropriate.
- If you prefer, use HP Print and Scan Doctor (download from HP) — run it and follow the automated diagnosis and repair steps.
Notes:
- For older HP printers, choose a universal print driver if a model‑specific one isn’t available.
2. Printer shows offline or paused
Why this causes the problem:
- Windows may mark a printer as Offline when it loses connection or the queue is paused, preventing jobs from reaching the device.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Click your printer, then Open queue.
- In the queue window, uncheck Use Printer Offline (under the Printer menu) and uncheck Pause Printing.
- Try Print Test Page (right‑click the printer in Devices and Printers in Control Panel > Printer properties).
Tips:
- If a USB printer appears offline, try unplugging and replugging the cable, or using another USB port.
3. USB or cable connection issue
Why this causes the problem:
- Faulty or loose cables cause intermittent or no communication between PC and printer.
Step-by-step solution:
- Power off the printer and PC.
- Swap the USB cable with a known good cable and connect to a different USB port (avoid USB hubs; use a direct connection).
- Power the devices back on. Windows should detect the device and (re)install drivers automatically.
Tips:
- For network printers with ethernet, swap the ethernet cable and try a different router port.
4. Wi‑Fi or network problems
Why this causes the problem:
- Network printers rely on consistent connectivity; wrong network, weak Wi‑Fi, or IP changes break printing.
Step-by-step solution:
- On the printer, print a Network Configuration or Wireless Test report (consult printer manual).
- Confirm the printer and PC are on the same Wi‑Fi network (SSID).
- Restart printer and router. Reconnect the printer’s Wi‑Fi via the printer control panel or WPS if supported.
- In Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, remove and re-add the printer using its IP (use Add a printer or scanner > The printer that I want isn’t listed > Add a printer using TCP/IP address).
Tips:
- Reserve the printer’s IP in your router (DHCP reservation) to avoid changing IP addresses.
5. Print Spooler service stopped or corrupted
Why this causes the problem:
- The Print Spooler queues print jobs. If it’s stopped or corrupted, jobs won’t process.
Step-by-step solution:
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
- Find Print Spooler, right‑click and choose Restart. If stopped, choose Start.
- If restarting fails, run Command Prompt as admin and type:
- net stop spooler
- Delete files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS\ (you may need admin).
- net start spooler
Notes:
- Set Startup type to Automatic to ensure the spooler runs at boot.
6. Stuck print queue
Why this causes the problem:
- One failed job can block the entire queue, so new jobs never get printed.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open the printer queue (Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Open queue).
- Cancel all jobs (select and delete).
- If jobs persist, stop the spooler (net stop spooler), clear contents of C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, then start spooler (net start spooler).
Tips:
- Restarting both PC and printer after clearing the queue helps.
7. Windows Update driver/compatibility issue
Why this causes the problem:
- Sometimes Windows Update installs a generic or incompatible driver that breaks the printer.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
- Expand Printers or Print queues, right‑click your printer, select Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver if available.
- If rollback isn’t available, choose Uninstall device (check Delete driver software for this device), then reinstall the HP driver downloaded from HP.
- In Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates, check for driver updates and install carefully.
Notes:
- Use System Restore to revert to a restore point prior to the update if problems started immediately after Windows Update.
8. Firewall or antivirus blocking
Why this causes the problem:
- Security software can block network communication or the HP software needed for discovery.
Step-by-step solution:
- Temporarily disable third‑party antivirus/firewall and test printing.
- For Windows Firewall: open Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. Ensure File and Printer Sharing and HP apps are allowed on your network profile.
- If printing works when disabled, create exceptions for HP services or mark the network as Private.
Warning:
- Re‑enable security software after testing and only allow specific ports/apps rather than leaving protection off.
9. Incorrect printer IP or DNS conflict
Why this causes the problem:
- If the printer’s IP changes, Windows may attempt to send jobs to an old address.
Step-by-step solution:
- Print a network configuration page from the printer to find its current IP.
- On the PC, open Devices and Printers, right‑click the printer > Printer properties > Ports tab; verify the selected port matches the printer IP.
- If it doesn’t, delete the old port and add a new Standard TCP/IP Port with the correct IP.
Tips:
- Use a static IP or DHCP reservation to avoid future mismatches.
10. Permission or UAC issues
Why this causes the problem:
- Limited user permissions or UAC prompts can prevent installation or printing, especially for networked or shared printers.
Step-by-step solution:
- Try printing from an administrator account.
- If you must, right‑click the application and choose Run as administrator before printing.
- For shared printers: on the host PC, verify sharing settings at Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings and ensure File and printer sharing is enabled.
Note:
- Avoid routinely running apps as admin; instead fix permissions for the specific printer or share.
11. Hardware faults (paper jam, low ink, outdated firmware)
Why this causes the problem:
- Physical issues or outdated printer firmware can halt printing even when Windows is configured correctly.
Step-by-step solution:
- Check the printer display or HP Smart app for error messages, paper jams, or low ink warnings. Clear any jams and replace consumables as needed.
- Connect to the printer’s Embedded Web Server (type its IP into a browser) or use HP software to check for firmware updates and apply updates per HP instructions.
- Perform a hardware power cycle: turn off, unplug for 60 seconds, plug back in, and power on.
Tips:
- Keep firmware up to date to improve compatibility and fix known bugs.
Maintenance and Preventive Tips
- Create a simple checklist: verify cables, power, IP address, and queue before advanced steps.
- Keep drivers and firmware updated on a regular schedule (but avoid installing major Windows updates right before critical printing tasks).
- Use DHCP reservations for network printers to prevent IP drift.
- Back up printer settings (some HP models allow saving configurations) before major changes.
- Keep a spare USB cable and know your printer’s model and serial number for fast driver lookup.
FAQ
Yes. Enable File and printer sharing on the host PC (Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center) and share the printer from Devices and Printers > Printer properties > Sharing; connect other PCs using Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer.
Q: How do I reset my HP printer to factory defaults?
Use the printer control panel menu: Setup > Tools > Restore Factory Settings (labeling varies); or consult the manual for model‑specific reset steps. Note this will erase network settings.
Q: Is the HP Smart app necessary?
No, but HP Smart simplifies setup, firmware updates, and scanning. For basic printing, Windows drivers suffice. Use HP Smart for extended features and troubleshooting automation.
Q: Why does the printer work via USB but not Wi‑Fi?
This indicates a network issue (wrong SSID, IP, firewall, or Wi‑Fi signal) — verify the printer is connected to the same network and check router/printer settings and firewall rules.
Q: How do I get diagnostic logs for a deeper problem?
Enable Printer logging via HP tools or check Windows Event Viewer: Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > PrintService to view detailed print events and errors.
Conclusion
Most HP printing problems in Windows 10 stem from drivers, connection issues, or the Print Spooler — resolving these three areas usually restores printing. Follow the stepwise checks above to diagnose and fix the issue; if needed, download the official driver or use HP Print and Scan Doctor. If your HP printer doesn’t work in Windows 10, the steps here will get you back to printing reliably.
