HP Printer Not Printing Large Files [How to Fix]

In this article, we will provide you with solutions to the HP printer not printing large files problem.

HP Printer Not Printing Large Files [Solutions]

If your HP printer is not printing large files, do the following solutions below to fix the problem:

1. Reopen the Application you are printing from

Sometimes, the problem could just be a result of a little glitch affecting the application program that you are printing from. This is usually fixed by closing the program and then opening it again.

Therefore, before you begin to try the other advanced solutions on this list, close the application you are printing from, wait for about 60 seconds, and then open the application again.

After doing that, print the large file again to check if the issue is resolved.   

If the HP printer not printing large files issue persists, try the next solution.

You can read this article: HP Printer Not Printing [Issues & Solutions] to learn about other HP printer not printing issues and how to resolve them.

2. Restart your HP Printer and Computer (or Mobile Device)

If you are printing from a computer or a mobile device, you need to restart the device as a technical misinformation error might cause your HP printer not to print large files.

After you have restarted your device, restart your printer as well. To ensure that the printer gets reset during this process, unplug the power cable from the wall outlet while your printer is still on. Wait for about 60 seconds, and then plug the power cable back into the outlet.

It is expected that your HP printer will come on automatically. If it doesn’t, press the power button to turn it on.

Now, print the large file again to check if the issue is resolved.

If the HP printer not printing large files issue persists, do the solution below.

3. Break the File into Smaller Parts

Since the printing problem only occurs when you try to print a large file, then you should break up the large file into smaller parts. Large files take more time to print since they require the printer to use up more memory. However, when the file is broken into smaller parts, the smaller files will print faster, and the printer will process the command since less memory is required.

If you are printing a file that has multiple pages, don’t send the entire document at once. Instead, send some pages and then some more after the first set has been printed. Continue sending the print job in batches until you are done with the printing.

If you are printing a large graphic, you might have to reduce the dimensions, flatten the layers, and even lower the resolution. After making these adjustments, save the graphic as a brand new file.

When you use the recommendations above, you should be able to print the file on your HP printer. However, take note that this is a workaround and it doesn’t completely fix the issue. Hence, you can use this solution if you are in a haste to get the job done.

If you truly want to fix the HP printer not printing large files problem without having to break the large file into smaller parts, do the next solution below.

4. Upgrade the Memory of your Device

The memory as we said earlier is necessary to enable your HP printer to print files. If the memory is not sufficient to handle a print job, it would fail to print. Hence, it is important that your printer has been sent.

For Inkjet printers, the memory the printer uses is not that of the printer but the device it is connected to and printing from. For example, if the RAM of your computer is 2GB, that becomes the memory that will be used by your HP Inkjet printer to perform its functions. Interestingly, the total RAM capacity is not what is available to the printer since the computer is also using the RAM to run its own functions.

Laser printers, on the other hand, especially those made for workgroups and graphic arts are designed to accommodate internal memory that can be upgraded as required.

Hence, if you are using an HP Inkjet printer and it is unable to print large files, you need to upgrade the RAM of your computer. Likewise, you should upgrade the memory of your HP Laser printer if it fails to print large files.

5. Update your HP Printer Software and Driver

An issue with the operating system and your HP printer software and driver might be the reason why your HP printer is not printing large files. Therefore, you need to check if there is an updated version of your HP printer driver and software.

To check and then update your HP printer software and driver, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers and then click on “Printer”. On the next page, enter the name of your HP printer, and click on “Submit”. After that, follow the on-screen instructions to download the software and driver.

Once the download is complete, locate the folder where you downloaded the file and then click on the installation file to install the software and driver on your device. It is recommended that you restart your computer and printer after an update.

You can then print the large file again to confirm if the issue has been resolved.

If the HP printer not printing large files issue persists, do the next solution.

6. Use another HP Printer Driver

If the printer fails to print the large file even after updating the printer software and driver, then it could be that the current driver isn’t compatible with the installed operating system. In that case, you should change the printer driver.

We recommend that you try to download HP Universal Print Driver with PostScript. You can visit https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/upd/4157320/model/4157320 to get the driver. Before you install it, ensure that it is compatible with your printer.

Once the installation is complete, restart your computer and printer. Try to print the large file again to check if the problem is now solved.

If your HP printer is still not printing large files, do the solution below.

7. Change your Computer’s Operating System

Since a different driver is unable to print large files on the same operating system, then the issue isn’t with your HP printer but your computer’s operating system. In most cases, using another operating system should fix the problem.

To do this, go to the official Microsoft (for Windows) or Apple (for Mac) website and download a different operating system from the one installed on your computer. It is preferable that you get an upgraded version.