If your HP printer stopped when it ran out of paper, fret not. Here we unravel a detailed guide to assist you in getting back to your printing tasks promptly and hassle-free.
Table of Contents
Understanding the ‘HP Printer Stopped When It Ran Out Of Paper’ Problem
When the HP printer runs out of paper, it automatically pauses the printing job to prevent any potential damage that can occur while printing without paper. Understanding why your HP printer stopped can be the key to a quick resolution. This situation triggers an alert, letting you know that the paper needs to be refilled. Once you grasp this, restarting becomes a straightforward task.
Preparations Before Restarting
Before you leap into restarting your HP printer, it is vital to ensure that the printer is ready to continue the printing job efficiently. Here are the necessary steps:
Check the Paper Tray: Ensure that there are no bits of torn paper or other debris in the paper tray, as these can cause jams.
Paper Alignment: While refilling the paper tray, make sure that the paper is aligned properly. It should be stacked neatly without any folded corners.
Paper Type and Size: Use the appropriate paper type and size as recommended in your printer manual to prevent any printing issues.
Steps to Restart Your HP Printer After Filling
Getting your HP printer back up and running after it has stopped due to lack of paper involves a systematic process that ensures smooth operation. Here, we will delve deeper into each step to ensure you can restart your HP printer without any hassle.
Resume or Start Button
Every HP printer comes with buttons on its panel that control its functions. One of these buttons is the ‘Resume’ or ‘Start’ button, identified with a symbol resembling a triangle enclosing a circle. When the printer runs out of paper, this button usually blinks or changes color to indicate an error.
Once you have refilled the paper tray, press this button to continue the printing job from where it stopped. This action communicates to the printer that it can resume its operation with the newly loaded paper.
Check out this HP Paper Printer on Amazon.
Restarting the Printer
If the ‘Resume’ or ‘Start’ button doesn’t get the printer back to work, a fresh start can help.
To do this, turn off the printer using the power button, wait for about 10-15 seconds to allow the printer to shut down completely, and then turn it back on.
This simple reboot can help in resetting any error states and allow the printer to recognize the newly loaded paper.
Check the Print Queue
At times, the print job sent to the printer might still be in a paused state on your computer. To resolve this, you will need to go to your computer’s control panel (for Windows users) or system preferences (for Mac users).
Navigate to the ‘Devices and Printers’ (Windows) or ‘Printers & Scanners’ (Mac) and find your HP printer. Here, you can see the list of pending print jobs.
If necessary, cancel the previous print jobs and resend the print command. This step ensures that your printer receives fresh commands for printing with the new paper loaded.
Check out these other articles…
HP Printer Stopped Working After Adding WiFi: 5 Easy Fixes
HP C6100 Series Printer Stopped Printing After Installing New Router
HP Printer Stopped Working After 2 Years: Easy Solutions
HP OfficeJet 5745 Printer Stopped Working After Power Surge
HP Printer Stopped Printing After Unplugging: How to Fix It
HP 7520 Printer Stopped Working After Windows 10 Upgrade
HP Printer Stopped Printing After Using Cheap Ink: Quick Fix
Troubleshooting Other Common Issues
If restarting your HP printer hasn’t solved the issue, it might be because of other underlying issues. In this section, we explore some common problems that you might encounter and how to troubleshoot them:
Checking for Paper Jams
Paper jams occur when a piece of paper gets stuck in the printer’s rollers. It is important to remove all jammed papers to prevent damage to the printer.
To do this, open the printer’s front cover and gently pull out the jammed paper without tearing it. Make sure to remove any small bits of torn paper to avoid further jams.
Check your printer manual for the recommended way to remove jammed papers from your specific model.
Updating Printer Software
Keeping your printer’s software up-to-date is crucial for its optimal performance. Sometimes, printers stop working due to outdated software.
Check the manufacturer’s website or the printer manual for instructions on how to update your printer’s software. It usually involves downloading the latest driver from the HP website and installing it on your computer.
Make sure to restart your printer and computer after updating the software to apply the changes.
Inspecting Printer Connections
Connectivity issues can also be a culprit when your printer stops working. Ensure that all cables connected to your printer are secure and not damaged.
If using a wireless connection, ensure that the printer is connected to the correct network and that the network is stable. Try restarting the router if you encounter persistent connectivity issues.
If necessary, refer to your printer’s manual for detailed guidance on establishing a stable connection.
