When your printer encounters any problem i.e printer is in error state it means your printer is in an error state. There are several reasons for a printer to be in an error state. A common reason is that the printer has an error in its firmware.
If the printer has a firmware error, then it can be fixed by replacing the faulty firmware. It’s important to know the difference between a firmware error and a hardware error before you replace the printer.
The difference between the two is that a hardware error occurs when the printer has a problem with its internal components, while a firmware error occurs when the printer has a problem with its software.
If you replace the firmware of a printer, it won’t be able to print anything. You will have to replace the printer if it has a hardware error.
In this article, we will explain the 10 most common reasons and solutions when your printer is in an error state.
What You Can Do When Your Printer Is In Error State
1. Restarting the Device
The First And Most Important Solution is to Restart a device often resolves a number of momentary issues with it, and printers are no exception. It’s recommended to turn your printer off and back on if your computer reports that it’s in an error status.
You may accomplish this on the majority of printers by pushing the Power button located on the device itself. After around 30 seconds, pause, and then push the Power button once more.
The error message should no longer be visible on your computer.
2. Checking the Window Update
Always look for the window update. If your windows need an update then update it first and then reboot the computer to keep this updated.
The process of updating Windows is simple and may be done as follows:
- Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows Key + I.
- On the Settings page, click Update & Security.
- Choose Windows Update in the left sidebar.
- On the right, click Check for updates.
- Install any updates that are available.
- Reboot the computer to implement the update.
Naturally, you should always keep your Windows computer up to date. The notice “printer in error state can be one of several problems brought on by using an outdated operating system.
3. Refresh Your Printer Driver
The drivers for your printer specify how it communicates to your computer. Reinstall the drivers and check to see if your issue is resolved or if they are outdated or defective.
Following are the simple steps for installing, deleting, and reinstalling drivers in Windows:
- Unplug the printer from your computer.
- On your PC, open Control Panel.
- Under Hardware and Sound, select the View Devices and Printers option.
- Locate your printer in the list of devices.
- Remove the device by using the printer’s right-click menu.
- If you actually wish to remove the chosen printer, a dialogue will ask you.
- For the next step, select Yes from the prompt.
- Your computer should install the drivers automatically whenever you connect the printer to it.
Visit the manufacturer of the printer’s website and manually download and install the drivers if they aren’t loaded automatically. This is the best way to install the driver of the specific company.
4. Always Check The Level of The Ink Cartridge
Ensure that the ink cartridges contain enough ink as well. When cartridges are running low, your printer should notify you, but the “error state” warning may have prevented you from receiving the alert.
Printers must have the proper ink cartridges loaded in order to print anything correctly, much like with paper. Make sure the ink cartridges you’re using are the right ones for that model by consulting the printer’s handbook.
Make sure your printer can handle it before loading any paper stock, such as construction paper.
5. Make Sure Your Printer Is Online
The error state warning could show up on your screen if you try to send a print job but the printer is not connected.
Following are the steps involved in making sure your printer is online.
- Select your printer by clicking Settings
- Then click on the devices
- Then select the printers & scanners.
- Select your printer from the drop-down option after clicking Open Queue.
- Ensure that Use Printer Offline is not selected.
- The printer must share the same WiFi network as your PC.
The Use Printer Offline mode, which is available on the majority of printers, prevents the printer from connecting to the computer. Additionally, some printers will enter “Sleep Mode,” going offline.
6. Enable The Automate Print Spooler Service
It may be worthwhile to switch the printer spooler service to the automated mode in order to determine if it resolves the printer in error status problem on your PC.
- Open the Run dialogue box by pressing Windows Key + R,
- Then enter services.msc in the dialogue box.
- Locate the Print Spooler service in the list.
- Then choose Properties from the context menu.
- Automatic can be selected from the dropdown menu next to the Startup type.
- At the bottom, click OK after selecting Apply.
- At last, your computer needs to restart to enable the automated printer spooler service.
7. Examine your Computer and Printer Connections
Despite how straightforward it may seem, problems with the actual cord that connects the printer to the computer are frequently disregarded.
It’s crucial that the cord be secure in the computer and printer and in good working order. It should also be hooked directly into an outlet rather than through a surge protector.
If your printer is wirelessly connected to your computer then the following steps need to perform to enable your computer and printer connection.
- Go to settings to make sure your computer can identify the printer.
- Then click on devices.
- Then add a printer or scanner.
When the printer is added to the computer, it should be immediately visible in the devices list. You’ll also be able to use the printer without being on a network. If your printer is not on the same network as your computer, you’ll have to add the printer manually.
8. Make Sure to Update Printer Firmware Software
You can get the most recent firmware for your printer from the manufacturer’s website and install it on your computer if you think it might have an outdated version of the firmware.
To make sure you get the right firmware update, check the firmware on the printer’s website.
Updates to printer firmware should improve printer performance and resolve minor issues, such as error messages.
Following are the steps to update the printer firmware software:
- Ensure that the printer is wired or wirelessly connected.
- Open the Setup, Service, or Settings menu on the control panel.
- Choose Tools, Printer Maintenance, or Preferences.
- Choose LaserJet Update, Printer Update, or Web Services.
- Follow the prompts if they appear to activate Web Services.
- Decide on Check for Updates or a comparable choice.
9. Make Sure the Paper Tray Is Loaded Properly
Your printer may malfunction if you send it a print job but there is no paper in the tray when it should be.
Lift the tray up yourself to check for paper jams. Try sending the print job again after raising the printer tray and stuffing it entirely with a small stack of paper.
Sometimes the paper feed mechanism in the printer jams or the paper gets jammed somewhere in the system. Try printing a test page from your computer to see if the printer itself is working.
The printer may have a paper jam, but it could also be the result of a misfeed error, where the paper feeder was unable to move the paper into the right position before it was printed.
If this happens, try feeding the paper into the printer one sheet at a time, and then check the paper feed mechanism. You may need to re-calibrate it.
10. Check any Hardware Errors in a Printer
When you’re done, check the status to see whether it says This device is working properly, which indicates that Windows 10 can connect to the hardware without any problems.
If the component isn’t operating properly, an error code and problem explanation will be displayed. If you notice “error code 22,” for instance, it signifies the device has been disabled and you must enable it to fix the issue.
Following are the steps using Device Manager error codes to diagnose and repair hardware issues.
- Launch Start.
- To launch the app, perform a search for Device Manager and select the top result.
- To check the device, expand the branch that contains it.
- When you right-click the device, choose Properties.
- On the General tab, click.
- Verify the component’s status in the “Device status” section.
Final Words
The number one source of headaches and aggravation during the workday is printer issues.
The following time your printer displays an error warning carefully implements one of the 10 solutions listed above to get rid of the alert and restore normal printer operation.
We have discussed every technique that might be used to resolve the printer in error state issue in this article. Simply make sure that all of the troubleshooting actions listed above are carried out exactly as described.
Contact the printer’s official helpdesk from their website if you require any additional assistance. You can call us at the number displayed on the screen for any outside assistance if you need assistance with a printer that is in an error status.
Rhea James is a dedicated researcher. I’m fascinated by office items and enjoy learning more about them so that you can simplify your workday.
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