Idle printer

[shamanross]

refurbished printer new to me - can't get off "Idle.

[Deep_World]

Hi @shamanross,
 
Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

I understand how it can be when your refurbished printer shows as "Idle" and won’t respond.

 Could you please share the printer model number  and whether it’s connected via USB, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet?  

In the meantime, here are few steps you can try:

01.Restart Printer and Computer

Refreshing both devices often clears idle states.

Power off the printer completely

Disconnect the power cable for 30 seconds

Restart your computer

Reconnect and power on the printer

02.Check Printer Connection

Idle status can appear if the printer isn’t communicating with your PC.

Verify USB cable is firmly connected (if applicable)

For Wi-Fi printers, ensure printer is connected to the correct network

Run a network test from the printer’s control panel

03.Set Printer as Default

Jobs may not reach the printer if another device is set as default.

On PC: Control Panel → Devices and Printers

Right-click your HP printer

Select Set as Default Printer

04.Clear Print Queue

Most Common Fix

Stuck jobs can keep the printer idle.

On PC: Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Right-click printer → See what’s printing

Cancel all pending jobs

Try printing a fresh test page

05.Update or Reinstall Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause idle errors.

Visit HP’s official support website https://support.hp.com/ 

Download the latest drivers for your printer model

Reinstall using HP Smart  .

I hope this helps.

[shamanross]

Thanks for responding! The printer just came on, I don't think I did anything!

Another question: Printed docs. curl out of the printer and as they roll, they tend to get recycled into the paper intake, and unless I catch every page,  I end up with pages printed over one another. I can't figure out how to defeat this.

[Deep_World · Accepted solution]

Hi @shamanross,
 

Thanks for your response. 

I understand how it can be when printed pages curl and get pulled back into the paper intake, causing overlapping prints.

 Let’s go through a few steps that should help resolve this:

Paper type: Please ensure you’re using paper that meets HP’s recommended specifications. Thin or low‑quality paper tends to curl more easily, which can cause the issue you’re describing. Switching to a heavier weight or higher quality paper often helps.

Paper storage: Store paper in a cool, dry place. Humidity can cause sheets to curl or stick together, making them more likely to recycle into the intake.

Output tray setup: Check that the output tray is extended properly and that there’s enough space for pages to stack flat. If the tray is retracted or angled incorrectly, pages may slide back toward the intake.

Maintenance: Clean the paper feed rollers with a lint‑free cloth lightly dampened with water. Dust or residue can increase misfeeds and recycling of pages.

I hope this helps.

[shamanross]

Paper output tray was not obvious. It should solve the problem. Thanks!

[Deep_World]

Hi @shamanross,
 

Thanks for your response. 

I’m glad to hear that identifying the paper output tray helped clarify things! .

If you notice any further concerns  like paper not feeding correctly or print jobs stopping midway double‑check that the tray is fully extended and the guides are snug against the paper stack. That usually resolves most alignment or feed problems.
 

If everything is working smoothly now, you should be all set. But if you run into any other hiccups, don’t hesitate to reach out to us . 

 If you're all set, please mark this post as 'Accepted Solution' so I can do a virtual happy dance! 

If you need anything else, I'm all ears (or rather, all text). Just let me know! 

You're awesome, and I'm honored to have been your go-to guide today! 

Stay fantastic, and have an amazing day ahead! 

Best Regards,

Deep_World

[shamanross]

Today, the printer flashed a yellow exclamation mark next to the on-off button. I couldn't figure out what to do with it. Then after several minutes, after reading "offline" for a while,  it simply went ahead and printed my job. I like the printer, when I can get it to work,  but I am really frustrated with all this fooling around!

Thanks again for your help!

[Deep_World]

Hi @shamanross,
 

Thanks for your response. 

I understand how  it can be when your printer shows unexpected alerts like the yellow exclamation mark or goes “offline” before eventually printing.

That symbol usually indicates that the printer is trying to draw your attention to a temporary issue such as a connection hiccup, a paper feed check, or a supply status notification.

In many cases, the printer resolves the situation on its own, which is why your job eventually printed.

To help reduce these interruptions, here are a few steps you can try:

Make sure your printer’s firmware and drivers are up to date.

Check that the printer is connected securely to your network or computer.

Restarting both the printer and your computer can often clear temporary “offline” states.

If the issue continues, I’d recommend running the HP Smart App it’s designed to automatically diagnose and fix common printing problems.

We want you to enjoy a smooth printing experience, so please let us know if the problem persists after trying these steps. 

I hope this helps.