Printer only prints sporadically + sometimes getting error: Missing Data

[AngeloAZ]

Hello, Sometimes my HP Color Laser Jet Pro MFP 3301sdw simply won't print and items get stuck in the queue. Sometimes turning it off and back on helps.  Sometimes it just prints "Error: Missing Data."  I have tried to reinstall drivers and am not able to update firmware.  Right now I am just stuck in a situation where it sometimes won't print what I ask it to.  Any suggestions?  Thank you.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @AngeloAZ,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw is printing only sporadically and sometimes shows “Error: Missing Data,” with print jobs getting stuck in the queue. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

Check the connection type
If you’re printing over Wi-Fi, ensure the printer and computer are on the same network.
For USB connections, use a direct cable connection rather than a hub or extender.

Restart printer and computer
Turn off the printer and unplug it for 30–60 seconds, then power it back on.
Restart your computer as well to clear any temporary spooler or memory issues.

Clear the print queue
Open your computer’s print queue and cancel any stuck jobs.
Sometimes old or corrupted jobs cause the “Missing Data” error for new print jobs.

Reinstall or update drivers
Uninstall the existing printer driver and reinstall the latest PCL6 or UPD driver from HP’s website.
Make sure to select the correct OS version when downloading.

Reset the printer to factory defaults
Use the printer control panel to reset all settings: Settings > Restore Defaults or Service > Reset All Settings.
This clears any configuration conflicts that may cause sporadic printing.

Try printing from a different application or file type
Sometimes the error is caused by specific file formats or corrupted documents.
Test printing a simple PDF or text file to see if the issue persists.

Update firmware if possible
Firmware updates fix communication and printing errors.
If HP Smart or HP Support Assistant won’t update firmware over Wi-Fi, try a USB connection.

Check network stability
For network printing, unstable Wi-Fi or high latency can cause missing data errors.
Consider connecting via Ethernet or a stronger Wi-Fi signal to test.

I hope this helps.

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Best regards,