I try to print from my computer, the printer says it is printing but nothing comes out

[jodizzz]

color laser jet pro mfp m281fdw

when i try to print a PDF from my computer the printer says it is printing but nothing comes out. I printed about 20 pages without an issue and then suddenly this happened. I have turned on and off the printer, restarted the computer, changed the toner cartridges, removed and re-added the printer in system preferences  and even downloaded and installed updated firmware.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[TEJ1602]

@jodizzz, Welcome to HP Support Community!

• Are you able to make photocopies on the printer?
• Do you have issues printing PDFs or other documents too?
• Did you make any changes to your computer or the printer recently?

Try printing the PDF as an image-

1. Ensure that your printer is turned on and connected.

If necessary, test print a different file.

2. Choose File > Print, and then click Advanced.

The location of the Advanced button depends on the version of Reader or Acrobat.

Mac OS: If you don't see the Advanced button, click the Down Arrow (to the right of the Printer pop-up menu).  

3. Select Print as Image.

The location of the Print as Image options depends on the version of Reader or Acrobat.

Windows

4. Click OK to close the Advanced Print Setup dialog box, and then click OK to print.

Alternatively, you can try installing the updates. 

Adobe releases free security updates quarterly. The updates often include improvements to common problems. Download the latest free update:

1. Open Reader or Acrobat.
2. Choose Help > Check For Updates. If a new update is available, it installs automatically.
3. Once installed, restart your computer.
4. Print the PDF again.

Let me know if this helps.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[jodizzz]

So it seems i can print a different image but still unable to print the PDF

[TEJ1602]

@jodizzz

Ensure that the printer is up to date with its firmware and Mac is up to date with its software. If you are unsure you may use the links below to update the printer firmware and Mac software:

Update printer firmware

Update software on Mac 

1.) Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.

2.) Check if your printer name displays in the Printers list, If your printer is listed, click the printer name, click the minus sign to delete the printer.

3.) If you see multiple printer queues for the same printer, remove all extra printers by selecting them one at a time, and then clicking the minus button  at the bottom of the list.

4.) Click the plus sign  click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name.

5.) Click the Use or Print Using menu, select AirPrint in the pop-up menu. Then click Add.

6.) Try to print.

You can also completely uninstall Acrobat Reader. Go to Adobe website, download and install Acrobat Reader DC. Try printing.

Let me know the outcome.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[jodizzz]

still not working. I have done everything you've suggested. I am able to print other pdfs and images just not the one i need. Maybe the file is corrupt. Thank you for all of your help.

[TEJ1602]

@jodizzz

Print using the preview app. Follow the steps below:

In Preview, you can print some or all pages in a PDF, print several selected images on the same sheet of paper, and choose whether to include the document’s notes when printing.

You can open and print a document with Preview even if you don’t have the app that created it.

1. In the Preview app  on your Mac, open a PDF or image you want to print.

   If you want to print multiple files, you can open them in one Preview window.

2. To print only some of the PDF or image pages, choose View > Thumbnails, then Command-click the thumbnails for the pages you want to print.

3. Choose File > Print.

4. Choose print options (if you don’t see them, click Show Details):

   • To print only selected thumbnails, select Selected Pages in Sidebar or Selected Images in Sidebar.

   • To print the same image or page multiple times on a sheet of paper, click the “Copies per page” pop-up menu, then choose a number.

   • To rotate images or pages automatically so they fill up as much of the paper as possible, choose Auto Rotate.

   • To scale an image or page, select Scale, then enter a percentage.

     To fill as much of the paper as possible, select Scale to Fit, then select Print Entire Image if you don’t want the image cropped, or Fill Entire Paper if you want the image cropped to the proportions of the paper.

   • If notes are visible in a PDF’s window, select Show Notes to include them in the printout.

5. Click Print.

Hope this helps.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[jodizzz]

I have been using Preview all along. I am able to print everything else aside from this one PDF. It's truly bizarre. I was able to print it from a different printer but not this one. 

Thank you for all of your help.

[KrazyToad]

@jodizzz

Please ensure the PDF file you are trying to print is not encrypted or password protected. The printer is working fine since you are able to print other PDFs

As the issue is only with one PDF file and also since the problem exist while using preview, it is most likely to be an issue with that particular PDF file or maybe the Mac OS