My printer won't recognize paper+ink and it won't scan

[Aimée]

Hi, my printer just won't recognize there's paper on it and it says it's low on ink (but there's plenty of both for it to use).

I tried to investigate about it because when I was trying to print something directly from my PC. Then, the first time I tried to print, it would feed the paper, it will go through but not printing. About 3-4 papers will go through, one at a time, with the last one being jammed. I wasn't able print anything since this occurred for the first time.

I tried HP Print and Scan Doctor and it didn't help, I tried to unplug the power cable while it's on (by HPSD recommendation) and didn't do anything; tried to uninstall and reinstall the drivers and it changed nothing. I thought that I could at least scan but nope! It also has an error message.

[Garp_senchau]

@Aimée, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Check for Paper Jam

Since you mentioned the paper got jammed at the last stage, it’s a good idea to physically inspect the printer for any paper stuck in the rollers or anywhere in the paper path. Even a small piece of paper can cause issues.

• Open the printer's front and back panels to check for jams. Remove any stuck paper carefully.
• Ensure that no small bits of paper are lodged in the rollers or anywhere inside.

Check Paper Alignment

Make sure the paper is correctly loaded into the tray. If it’s misaligned, the printer may not recognize it correctly.

• Ensure that the paper is in the correct orientation and properly seated.
• Check the paper tray for any obstructions or misaligned guides that could be preventing proper paper feed.

Clear Printer Queue

Sometimes, if the print queue is stuck with old or corrupt jobs, it can prevent any new jobs from processing.

• Go to your PC’s Printers & Scanners settings.
• Right-click your printer and select See what's printing.
• Cancel any pending print jobs.
• Try printing again after clearing the queue.

Reset the Printer (Power Cycle)

Even though you unplugged it before, let's try a more thorough reset:

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug it from the power outlet.
• Wait for about 5 minutes to ensure it resets completely.
• Plug it back in and turn it on again.

Check Ink Cartridges

Even if you think there’s enough ink, it’s worth checking the cartridges once more to ensure they are correctly installed and functioning:

• Remove and reseat the ink cartridges.
• Check for any obstructions or smudges that might be preventing proper contact.

[Garp_senchau]

Check Printer Settings and Software

• Go into your printer’s settings and ensure the paper type, size, and quality settings are correct for what you’re trying to print.
• Make sure your PC is sending the print job to the correct printer, especially if you have multiple printers connected.

Update Printer Firmware

Sometimes a firmware update can resolve unexpected issues:

• Go to the HP Support Website and search for the latest firmware for your printer model.
• Follow the instructions to download and update the firmware.

Run Printer Diagnostic Tool Again

You’ve already used the HP Print and Scan Doctor but sometimes running it again after the printer has been fully reset can help.

• Run it one more time after performing the above checks to see if it detects any new issues.

Test Scan Functionality

Since you’re also having trouble with scanning, make sure there’s no issue with the scanner. Try scanning a document using the printer’s built-in control panel (if possible) or the HP scanning software on your computer.

Try a Different Computer or Device

If possible, try printing from a different computer or mobile device. This can help rule out issues with the PC itself or the driver software.

Factory Reset the Printer (Last Resort)

If nothing works, you could try performing a factory reset. Note that this will erase all settings, and you’ll need to set up the printer again from scratch.

• Find the reset option in the printer’s settings menu (usually in the Preferences or Tools section).

I hope these steps help resolve the issue

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Problem solved? 🎉 Awesome! Mark this as the Accepted Solution to help the next person find their way faster. 🧭 And if it was helpful, click 'yes'—you’ll make someone’s search journey that much easier (and give this reply some well-deserved street cred 🏅)

Regards,

[Aimée]

I did everything you told me to do, even the Factory Reset the Printer, and the problem still persists. Tried to print the demonstration page, the paper pages will go through (3) and the fourth will get stuck at the beginning, and an error message appears saying it doesn't have paper, even if there is paper (I usually put 6 pages just to be sure it won't get empty during tests.)
It won't print from the computer, or from the scanner, or anything like that 😞

Not even a drop of paint will appear. I try to diagnose the problem and it won't find any.

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @Aimée,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

We're here to help you tackle that issue! Don't worry, we've got your back! 💪

To get you the best assistance, we need to take this conversation to a private chat. We're inviting you to a private message to protect your privacy and ensure that any sensitive information remains confidential. 

To access your private message, just click the little blue envelope icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile, next to your profile name. Alternatively, you can click on this link. 

We're looking forward to helping you resolve this issue! 

Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience! 

Regards,