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title: HP Printer Offline or Print Jobs Stuck in Queue Troubleshooting

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## Troubleshooting HP Printer Offline or Print Jobs Stuck in Queue

**HP Printer Troubleshooting Helpine 1-888-497-4372**

HP printers are widely used for both personal and professional purposes. However, users often encounter issues such as the printer being offline or print jobs getting stuck in the queue. This article provides a comprehensive guide to troubleshoot and resolve these common problems.

### Understanding the Offline Status

When an HP printer shows an "offline" status, it indicates that the printer is not communicating with the computer or network. This can be due to various reasons, including:

- **Connection Issues**: Problems with USB or wireless connections.
- **Driver Problems**: Outdated or corrupted printer drivers.
- **Print Queue Issues**: Jobs stuck in the print queue can prevent new jobs from being processed.
- **Print Spooler Service**: This service manages print jobs and can sometimes malfunction.

### Initial Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into more complex solutions, start with these basic troubleshooting steps:

1. **Restart Devices**: Turn off your printer, computer, and router. Wait for about 30 seconds, then turn them back on. This simple step can often resolve connectivity issues.

2. **Check Connections**: Ensure that the printer is properly connected to the computer or network. For USB connections, check that the cable is securely plugged in. For wireless connections, ensure the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.

3. **Set Printer as Default**: Make sure that your HP printer is set as the default printer on your computer. Go to "Devices and Printers" in the Control Panel, right-click on your printer, and select "Set as Default Printer".

### Detailed Troubleshooting Methods

If the initial steps do not resolve the issue, consider the following detailed troubleshooting methods:

#### 1. Run HP Print and Scan Doctor

The HP Print and Scan Doctor is a free tool designed to diagnose and fix common printing problems. Here’s how to use it:

- Download and install the HP Print and Scan Doctor from the HP website.
- Open the application and select your printer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to diagnose and fix any issues identified.

#### 2. Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler service manages print jobs. Restarting it can help clear any stuck jobs:

- Press `Windows + R`, type `services.msc`, and hit Enter.
- Find "Print Spooler" in the list, right-click it, and select "Restart".

#### 3. Update Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause offline issues. To update your drivers:

- Visit the HP website and navigate to the support section for your printer model.
- Download and install the latest drivers.
- Restart your computer after installation to ensure changes take effect.

#### 4. Check the Print Queue

Sometimes, print jobs get stuck in the queue, preventing new jobs from being processed. To clear the print queue:

- Open "Devices and Printers" from the Control Panel.
- Right-click on your HP printer and select "See what's printing."
- Cancel any jobs that are stuck or pending.

#### 5. Disable Offline Mode

Ensure that your printer is not set to offline mode:

- Go to "Devices and Printers."
- Right-click your printer and select "Printer properties."
- Uncheck the "Use Printer Offline" option if it is checked.

#### 6. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Sometimes, firewall or antivirus software can block printer communication. Temporarily disable these programs to see if they are causing the issue. If the printer comes online, adjust the settings to allow printer communication without completely disabling your security software.

### Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above methods do not resolve the issue, consider these advanced troubleshooting steps:

#### 1. Reconnect the Printer to the Network

If using a wireless printer, reconnect it to your Wi-Fi network:

- Use the HP Wireless Setup Wizard or the HP Smart app to reconnect your printer.
- Print a wireless report from the printer’s network settings menu to check connectivity.

#### 2. Check Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware can lead to various issues, including being offline. To update the firmware:

- Visit the HP support website and search for your printer model.
- Download and install the latest firmware updates.

#### 3. Clear the Print Spooler Files

If the print spooler service is malfunctioning, clearing its files can help:

- Stop the Print Spooler service as described earlier.
- Navigate to `C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS` and delete all files in this folder.
- Restart the Print Spooler service again.


Encountering an offline HP printer or print jobs stuck in the queue can be frustrating. However, by following the outlined troubleshooting steps, users can often resolve these issues quickly. If problems persist after trying all the methods, it may be necessary to contact HP support for further assistance. Regular maintenance, such as updating drivers and firmware, can also help prevent these issues from arising in the future.

# How to fix HP Printer not printing lines?

You may be wondering, “Why does my printer print lines?” When you need to print urgently, this issue 1-888-497-4372 can be extremely frustrating if there are missing lines or streaks on the page you just printed.

A printer that prints lines on a page is usually due to a blocked, dirty or damaged print head. Blocked ink cartridge nozzles or failure to remove protective seals correctly when installing a new ink cartridge can also cause missing print lines.

## What causes an inkjet printer printing lines?

An inkjet printer printing lines or missing lines on printouts are caused when the or the cartridge carriage which contains the print head becomes dirty or damaged.

Over time, ink can dry and build up on the nozzles where the ink comes out, as the cartridge moves across the page and is transferred onto the paper.

This can also cause smudges, blurry print or the wrong colour to come out depending on which cartridge is blocked.

## How to fix an inkjet printer printing or missing lines

Firstly, make sure that you are using the correct paper type for your printer. Unless you are using plain paper, an inkjet printer requires specific inkjet paper. If you have the incorrect paper type, the ink will not absorb correctly and can cause issues.

If you have recently installed a new cartridge, check that all protective seals have been correctly removed, then try the following steps:

### Step 1 — Run the cartridge/print head cleaning process

The following steps will fix most issues…

* From the LCD panel on your printer go to settings and select the clean print head or clean cartridge option.
* Following that run the cartridge alignment option, to fix any colour alignment issues.
* If you don’t have a screen on your printer, on your PC select control panel > Devices & Printers > Right-click the printer in the list and select ‘Printing Properties’. You can normally find the option to clean from here, often in the services tab.
* You may need to run the cleaning process up to 3 times to see an improvement. If you’re still experiencing issues move on to step 2…

### Step 2 — Clean the cartridges/nozzles

* Print a test page to try to determine which colour is blocked.
* Open the printer door and remove the blocked cartridge(s)
* Use a damp paper towel to gently wipe any dry or blobs of ink away from the nozzles at the bottom or back of the cartridge.
* Place the cartridge on top of a damp paper towel with the nozzle/print head touching the damp part until the ink flows a little (being careful not to get ink on clothing, furniture or skin).
* Reinstall the ink cartridges and try them again.

### Step 3 — Clean the ink cartridge carriage/print head.

* Dirt or fluff can also build up in the ink cartridge holder where the print heads are located.
* Remove the ink cartridges from the cartridge holder
* Using a dampened cotton swab, gently wipe the underside of the ink holder where the print head is located until completely clean of ink.
* Re-install the inks and try again.
* If the steps above don’t resolve the issue, you will need to replace the ink cartridges, as they may be running out of ink, be damaged or may have dried up.

## How to fix a laser printer printing lines on the printout

If your laser printer is skipping or missing lines, this is normally caused when seals haven’t been removed correctly. It can also occur when there is damage to the drum unit, or damage to the fuser unit. To fix the issue follow these steps:

* If available, run the drum/fuser cleaning process from the printer’s menu. Usually found in the print settings or maintenance section.
* If available Run the general clean process.
* Remove the toners/drums (often in one unit) and physically check the drum cylinder for dirt or damage whilst making sure not to touch it (the drum is a green metal cylinder).
* If the drum is damaged or dirty, try to clean it with an air duster (If this doesn’t remove dirt, the drums or toners will need to be replaced with new ones).
* Re-install the toner/drums and try again.
* If the steps above don’t correct the issue, you may need to replace the fuser unit in the printer. It may have a build-up of dirt and cannot be cleaned manually.





