In this article, we will provide you with solutions to the HP printer not responding in Windows 10 issue. This issue is common with users who upgraded to Windows 10; therefore, many of them have complained that their HP printer is not responding to their Windows 10 computer.
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Why is my HP Printer Not Responding to My Computer in Windows 10? [Reasons]
The following reasons are responsible for your HP printer not responding in Windows 10 problem:
1. The connection between your HP printer and computer is weak
2. Outdated printer driver
In this article: HP Printer Is Not Responding [Proven Solutions], we discuss other HP printer not responding issues not covered in this article.
HP Printer Not Responding in Windows 10 [Solutions]
To fix your HP printer not responding in Windows 10 problem, do the following:
1. Check Installed Antivirus & Firewall
Your HP printer not responding in Windows 10 could be a result of the installed antivirus or the system’s firewall preventing your printer from receiving commands from your Windows 10 computer. This is usually the case for network or Wi-Fi printers.
Therefore, you need to check your installed antivirus to confirm whether it is responsible for the problem. To do this, you need to temporarily disable the antivirus. To temporarily disable installed antivirus on your Windows 10 computer, click this link: HP Printer Network Security Key – How to Temporarily Disable Installed Antivirus on your Computer, and then follow the steps we shared.
If the HP printer not responding in Windows 10 issue persists after temporarily disabling the installed antivirus, you need to uninstall the antivirus. To uninstall antivirus, click this: HP Printer Network Security Key – How to Uninstall Installed Antivirus on your Computer, and then do the instructions we shared.
After uninstalling the antivirus, check if your HP printer not responding in Windows 10 issue has been resolved. If your printer is now responding, you need to get a completely different antivirus program.
However, if the HP printer not responding to print command windows 10 problem remains, do the solution below.
2. Check your Printer Connections
Once you are certain that the antivirus is not responsible, you need to check the connections of your HP printer. You should check if the cables and wireless network are properly connected.
For USB printers, you should check the power cable and also the USB cable if you are using a wired connection. You should reconnect the USB cable to another USB port on your computer to verify if the previous port is bad. If the issue persists after using another USB port, you need to change the USB cable.
For wireless printers, you should verify that the wireless network is available and that your HP printer is linked to the right wireless network.
If you still encounter the HP printer not responding in Windows 10 problem even after you have verified your printer connections, you should try the next solution.
3. Update your HP Printer Driver
To update your HP printer, click this link: Why is My HP Printer Not Connecting to WiFi – How to Update HP Printer Driver, and then choose the method that works best for you.
If the methods in the link do not work, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/printers and then download your HP printer’s current driver.
After updating the printer driver, check if the HP printer not responding in Windows 10 issue has been fixed.
If the issue persists, do the solution below.
4. Run Windows 10 Printer Troubleshooter
How to Run Windows 10 Printer Troubleshooter
To run Windows 10 printer troubleshooter, do the following steps:
Step 1: Press the “Windows” and “I” keys on your keyboard. This action will cause your computer’s Settings app will open.
Step 2: Click on “Update & Security”.
Step 3: Check the window’s left menu and click on “Troubleshoot”.
Step 4: In the window’s right pane, click on “Printer”.
Step 5: Click on the button labeled “Run the troubleshooter”.
Step 6: Follow the onscreen instructions.
If your HP printer not responding in Windows 10 problem is not fixed after doing the above, you should do the solution below.
5. Confirm that your HP Printer is the Default Printer
How to confirm that your HP Printer is the Default Printer in Windows 10
To confirm that your HP printer is the default printer in Windows 10, do the steps below:
Step 1: Click on the Cortana icon on the taskbar.
Step 2: Type “default printer” in the search box.
Step 3: Click on “change default printer” from the search results.
Step 4: If the option “Let Windows manage my default printer” is turned on, turn it off by clicking on the toggle button.
Step 5: Now check the printers list in the tab for “Devices and Printers” under “Control Panel” for the printer that is ticked with a green mark. If the printer with the green tick is not yours, you should locate and then right-click on your HP printer. After that, click on “Set as default printer”.
If your HP printer not responding in Windows 10 issue remains unresolved after setting the default printer, do the next solution.
6. Check your Printer’s Compatibility with Windows 10
Not all HP printers are Windows 10 compatible especially older HP printers. As a result, such printers might find it difficult to communicate with a Windows 10 computer. Therefore, you need to confirm whether your HP printer and Windows 10 are compatible.
Visit https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_2825606-2452995-16 to check your HP printer’s compatibility with Windows 10. If you can’t find your HP printer in the list, then it means your printer isn’t compatible with this operating system. You will have to downgrade to the Windows operating system that was originally on your computer. Alternatively, you can get a new HP printer that supports Windows 10.
If your HP printer is listed in that document, go on to the next solution.
7. Restart your Computer’s Print Spooler Service
How to Restart your Windows 10 Print Spooler Service
To restart your Windows 10 print spooler service, do the following steps:
Step 1: Press the “Windows” and “R” keys to open the Run app.
Step 2: In the Run’s search box, type “services.msc”.
Step 3: Click on “OK” or press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
Step 4: Wait for the window for “Services” to open, and then find “Print Spooler” in the list of services.
Step 5: Double-click on “Print Spooler”. This action will cause the “Print Spooler Properties” window to open.
Step 6: Set “Automatic” as the “Startup Type”.
Step 7: Click on the button labeled “Start” to begin the print spooler service.
In the event that the print spooler service is currently running, click on the button labeled “Stop”, and wait for some seconds before you click on the button labeled “Start”.
Step 8: Save your changes by clicking on the button labeled “Apply”.
The HP printer not responding in Windows 10 issue should be resolved after doing the above. However, if it fails to respond, try the solution below.
8. Ensure that your HP Printer is Correctly Configured
How to ensure that your HP Printer is Correctly Configured
To ensure that your HP printer is correctly configured, do the following steps:
Step 1: Open your computer’s “Control Panel”.
Step 2: Click on “Devices and Printers”.
Step 3: Find and then right-click on your HP printer in the printer list.
Step 4: Click on “Printer Properties”.
Step 5: Click on the tab labeled “Ports”. Ensure that the selected port is the correct one. If it is not, select the correct port.
Step 6: After confirming the port selection, click on “Apply”.
Step 7: Save your changes by clicking on “OK”.
Check if your HP printer not responding in Windows 10 problem has been resolved.
If it is not, move on to the next solution.
9. Install Windows 10 Latest Updates
Sometimes, failure to install certain updates on your Windows 10 computer might lead to the HP printer not responding in Windows 10 problem. Therefore, you need to check for updates on your computer and install them.
How to Install Windows 10 Latest Updates
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows/Start icon on the taskbar.
Step 2: Click on “Update & Security”.
Step 3: Click on the button labeled “Check for updates”.
Step 4: When your computer displays the updates, ensure that you download them.
Step 5: Restart your computer to install the updates.
Check if this solution fixed the HP printer not responding in Windows 10 problem.
If it did not, do the next solution.
10. Service your HP Printer
To service your HP printer, go to HP Customer Support and then speak with an agent to schedule a repair for your printer. This service might not be available in your region; therefore, you need to confirm if it is with the agent.
However, before a technician is sent to fix your printer, the customer agent will try to walk you through certain solutions to fix the HP printer not responding in Windows 10 problem. A technician will only be sent when all the solutions they provide fail to resolve the problem.
The above solutions will also fix the HP printer not responding to print command windows 7 issue. Some of the steps might vary, but the solutions still apply.
