How to Fix Your Printer When It’s Stuck in an Error State

Troubleshooting your printer to get it working again

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: May 15, 2026 Fact Checked

It can be frustrating when you want to print something but receive an error message. You may see an error message on your computer or on your printer. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot and get your printer working again. This wikiHow article teaches you how to troubleshoot a printer if it is in an error state.

Fix a Printer in an Error State

Power off and unplug your printer for 5 minutes. Check for any jams or obstructions. Make sure it has plenty of paper and ink. You can also update your printer drivers and reset the print spooler. Run the Windows printer troubleshooter. If all else fails, perform a factory reset on your printer and contact customer service.

1

Reset your printer.

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You may be able to fix any glitches or errors with your printer by resetting it. To do so, power off your printer, unplug it, wait five minutes, and plug it back in. Power it on and try printing again. See if this fixes the issue.

2

Check if there is an error number.

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Check if there is an error number on your printer’s display or in an error message on your computer. While the error number isn't very helpful by itself, you can Google the error message or number along with your printer's make and model. You will likely be able to find out exactly what is causing the problem.

3

Check the cables or network connection.

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If your printer is connected to your computer via a cable, make sure it is securely connected. Disconnect and reconnect the cable. Inspect the cable for damage and make sure there is no damage, dust, or debris in any of the ports it is connected to. If you are connected via USB, try another USB port. If your printer is wireless, make sure you have a strong internet connection. You can use websites like speedtest.net or fast.com to test your internet connection.

4

Make sure your printer has paper and ink.

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Check the paper feed on your printer. Make sure it has plenty of paper. Also, check to make sure your printer isn’t out of ink. If you are trying to print a colored image, check that the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black cartridges aren’t empty. You can usually find ink levels on your printer’s display. Look for a cartridge or ink drop icon. It may also be under "Ink Levels," "Toner," or something similar. You can also use the printer manufacturer’s app on your computer. ^{[1]
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5

Make sure your printer isn’t jammed.

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Open the access panel on your printer and check inside. Make sure there aren’t any paper jams or anything obstructing the print heads. Remove any paper jams or obstructions and try again.

6

Update your drivers.

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Your printer drivers may be outdated. The best way to update your printer drivers is to use the app that came with your printer. You can also check the manufacturer’s website to see if they have printer drivers available for download. You can also update most of your drivers by updating your computer operating system. On Mac, that is the only way to update drives. On Windows, you can use the following steps to update your printer drivers manually:
- Right-click the Windows Start button.
- Click Device Manager.
- Expand Printers and/or Print Queues.
- Right-click your printer model.
- Click Update Driver.
- Click Search automatically for driver.
- Follow the prompts if an updated driver is found.

7

Reset the print spooler.

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There may be an error with the print spooler. The print spooler is the program that saves all your print jobs and queues. Resetting the print spooler may clear any errors on your printer. Use the following steps to do so:
- WIndows:
  - Click the Windows Start menu.
  - Type "cmd."
  - Right-click Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.
  - Type "net stop spooler" and press Enter.
  - Type "net start spooler" and press Enter.
  - Restart your computer.
- Mac:^{[2]
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  - Click the Apple icon.
  - Click System Settings.
  - Click Printers & Scanners.
  - Click your printer.
  - Click Reset printing system.
  - Click Add printer, scanner, or fax.^{[3]
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  - Select your printer and click Add.

8

Run the printer troubleshooter (Windows).

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The troubleshooter may be able to fix the problem. Windows has a built-in tool you can use to detect and possibly fix issues with your printer. Use the following steps to run the Windows printer troubleshooter.
- Click the Windows Start menu.
- Type "printer."
- Click Find and fix problems with printing.
- Click Next.
- Select the printer you are having issues with.
- Click Next.
- Follow any prompts to resolve any issues that are detected.

9

Factory reset your printer.

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You may be able to resolve major software issues by performing a factory reset on your printer. This will restore your printer to its factory default settings. The way you factory reset your printer varies from one model to another. Check the user manual that came with your printer or the manufacturer’s website to learn how to factory reset it.^{[4]
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10

Contact customer service.

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There may be a serious issue with your printer. Your printer may have a mechanical failure or a severe software issue. Contact customer service for your printer manufacturer for further assistance. They may have additional troubleshooting steps or be able to provide information on repairing or replacing your printer if it is still under warranty.
1. And if the steps above have been helpful, be sure to download this article as a PDF so you can print, read, or reference it any time.