Printer Not Responding - Printer Testing

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With how advanced our technology has become, it can be easy to forget that we are dealing with inanimate objects. This is especially true when one of your devices, such as your printer, stops responding.

Do you ever find yourself talking, pleading, yelling, or negotiating with the device the same way you would with an obstinate toddler? While these methods can be cathartic, when your printer is no longer responding to your commands, there are other ways to solve the problem. In this post, we will outline the reasons your printer may not be responding and discuss the simple solutions you can use to bring it back under control.

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Why Isn’t the Printer Responding?

There are two main reasons why your printer may not be responding:

The communication between your computer and printer is down, so the commands are not being sent between the devices.
Your printer has some sort of error that is preventing it from responding.

In both of these scenarios, you can use the strategies below to reestablish communication between your devices and help get your printer back to an active, responsive state.

Solutions for an Unresponsive Printer

If your printer is not responding to your requests, you’ll want to first confirm that your printer and computer are communicating. This can be completed by performing the following checks:

Restart Computer and Printer

Sometimes a printer may not be responding simply because your computer and printer are unable to communicate. Restarting your printer and computer can help jumpstart this communication and get your devices back on track.

When you restart your printer, turn it off, unplug the power cord, and let it sit for at least 30 seconds. Plug your printer back in and turn it on.

When you restart your computer, make sure you are turning it entirely off. Do not just enter sleep mode.

Reconnect Printer to WiFi

Once you have restarted your printer, use the printer control panel to identify the WiFi. From the control panel, select the network settings function and press “Confirm Network Settings.” This will show you the current status of your printer’s internet connection.

If your computer is connected to your printer via a wireless connection, it is essential to make sure that both your devices are connected to the internet and also that they are both connected to the same WiFi. If they are connected to different networks, they won’t be able to communicate.

Manually Set Printer Online

If your printer is set to “offline” mode, your computer will be unable to send your commands to it.

To manually set your printer online with Windows:

Click on the “Start” button on your computer and select “Control Panel” from the list.
In the window that appears, select “Devices and Printers” (or the equivalent menu option).
Click on “Printer” on the top menu of the “Devices and Printers” window and select “Use Printer Online” in the drop-down menu.

To manually set your printer online with MacOS:

In the “Apple” menu, click “System Preferences” and select “Print & Scan.”
If a yellow light appears next to your printer’s name, double-click the icon for your printer. Click “Resume” from the window.

Manually Set Printer as the Default Printer

The default printer is the printer that your computer will prioritize when choosing a printing device. If you have a different printer set to default, it can cause your computer to prioritize the default printer and ignore the printer you are trying to use. If this happens, your printer may not be unresponsive; it may just not be acknowledged by your computer.

To manually set your desired printer as the default printer with Windows:

Click on the “Start” button on your computer and select “Control Panel” from the list.
In the window that appears, select “Devices and Printers” (or the equivalent menu option).
Select your printer from the resulting window, and then select “Open Queue.”
Under the “printer” drop-down, select “Set as Default Printer.”

To manually set your printer as the default printer with MacOS:

In the “Apple” menu, click “System Preferences” and select “Print & Scan.”
Click “Default Printer,” then choose your printer as the default printer option.

Clear Printer Queue

If your printer is unresponsive, it may be because it is too busy trying to do other things. If you have a lot of jobs in your printing queue, it can overwhelm your printer and make it unable to respond.

To cancel print jobs on Windows:

Click on the “Start” button on your computer and select “Control Panel” from the list.
In the window that appears, select “Devices and Printers” (or the equivalent menu option).
Right-click on your printer’s icon (HP, Canon, Brother, etc.) and select “See What’s Printing.”
Right-click each print job and select “Cancel.”

To cancel print jobs on MacOS:

In the “Apple” menu, click “System Preferences” and select “Print & Scan.”
Click on your printer ((HP, Canon, Brother, etc.) and select “Open Print Queue.”
Click on each print job and select “Cancel.”

If your printer is still unresponsive, then it may be suffering from some sort of error state. To address the most common error states (see Printer in Error State for more information), you can try the following solutions:

Physically Check Printer and Cables

Physical malfunctions, such as unplugged cables or paper jams, can cause your printer to enter an error state in which it will no longer respond to commands. To fix this error state, examine the printer for physical malfunctions. Ensure the ink cartridges are correctly installed, that paper is installed in the input trays, and that there are no paper jams or other obstructions.

Double-check that all cables are properly connected to both your printer and other devices or sockets. Ensure that your power cord is plugged into an active outlet.

Remove and Reinstall Printer Software

If there is an error in the printer software, it can make the printer unresponsive. While the printer has built-in programs to address these errors, sometimes the printer needs additional help. Removing and reinstalling the printer software from your computer will allow your printer to reload uncorrupted software, which should fix any response issues.

To remove and reinstall a printer with Windows:

Click on the “Start” button on your computer and select “Control Panel” from the list.
In the window that appears, select “Devices and Printers” (or the equivalent menu option).
Right-click on your printer and select “Remove device.”
To reinstall the printer, click “Add a Printer” on the “Devices and Printers” window and follow the prompts.

To manually set your printer as the default printer with MacOS:

In the “Apple” menu, click “System Preferences” and select “Print & Scan.”
Right-click anywhere in the “Print & Scan” window and select “Reset Printing System.” This will clear any errors, print jobs, and printer preferences from your computer.

Once the reset is complete, select “Add Printer or Scanner” and choose your printer. Follow the subsequent prompts to reinstall your computer.

Update or Reinstall Printer Drives

If your printer is attempting to use an outdated or corrupted driver, it will not respond to your requests and will prompt an error message. You can download drivers for your printer from your manufacturer’s website. To download drivers for your printer, follow the links below:

Contact Your Printer Manufacturer

If all else fails, you can always contact your printer manufacturer. Most manufacturers are available for online or phone support around the clock. You can find information about your printer’s support center at the links below:

For more helpful printing techniques and tips, visit https://printertesting.com.