Printer keeps printing the same document over and over.

[DonnaS19]

My HP 4520 keeps printing the same document over and over again. The document does not appear in the print queue so I cannot simply delete it. I keep hitting the cancel button on the printer itself, but the document starts printing again. I have turned the printer off for an extended period, but this had no effect. What can I do?

[Dragon-Fur]

@DonnaS19

Some Ideas to track down that document...

Doctor is In

The Doctor may not find anything...  Worth a try!

HP Print and Scan Doctor – Fix Printing Problems

Software and Firmware Updated?

Printer Software – Uninstall Existing Software (Optional)

If the software is already installed and you want (need) to uninstall it:

Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >

Scroll down, click, and Uninstall the software

After the software is removed, Restart the computer and log in

Printer Software - Installation

NOTE:  If using USB, disconnect the USB cable between the printer and the computer before starting the installation.  Connect the cable when instructed to do so (toward the end of the installation procedure).

Download, save, and install the Full Feature Software for your Operating System version

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

Video help

NOTE:  Videos may be found in one or more locations (depending on printer / software / version)

Open the printer Software and Drivers page >

Scroll down and select Related Videos > Click View All >

Find and view the relevant video

AND / OR

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

Drivers / Software, Videos, Advisories, How-to, Troubleshooting, Manuals, Product Information, more

Open the printer Homepage >

Scroll down and select Video Tutorials > Click View All >

Find and view the relevant video

Firmware

Consider installing the printer Firmware

READ (when provided) all instructions before installing the firmware

If / After the firmware is installed, Restart the computer and log in

Reminder:  Firmware is only updated after the printer software is installed / functional.

Is your printer connected to the Internet (as in ePrint)?

If yes, log into your HP Connected Account and make sure the Settings on the printer include an "Allowed Senders" list that only lists your account(s) that you want to have access to the printer.

Is your printer connected to a local network (as in "network in your home")?

If yes, make sure your network is protected with a Wireless password so your neighbors do not have access to your printer.

Is the document one that you recognize?

If yes, the "job" may the result of a stuck program that is spitting out the print job faster than you can see it in the queue.

If the job takes a while and if the computer is aware of it, you might be able to catch it in the Task Manager > Details

If the computer is aware of the job on the printer at all, you might be able to track down where the job is originating.

Set your print queue to "keep" jobs -- this way you can at least see where the job is originating (owner / account).

Once you have the "keep" jobs setting in place, you can search for the printed job in the Event Viewer "log and track" activity logs.

The how-to bits for save jobs / view logs have been included in the Dragon Document:

Reprint a print job – save a job for reprinting later

Includes Event Viewer – Log and track activity

Once you have the "keep" jobs setting adjusted and the "logs" switched on in the Event Viewer, switch on the printer and let it print at least one copy of the document.

Start digging at the results...

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Answered? Click post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[Larry671]

Turning off the printer or unplugging it, or trying to cancel the printing are not successful.  How do I restart the printer and start again?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Larry671 

Cancel Print Job

If you catch the job quickly enough, print jobs can be cancelled on the printer.  The “cancel” button might be labeled as such or might present as a red X.

Once the job is turned over to the print service, cancel the job from the print queue.

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Double-Left-Click on your printer icon > See what’s printing > Click (or Right-Click) on the job > Cancel

Exact wording varies.

Print Queue / Print Service Reset

If the print job will not cancel or if the print job is stuck in the queue

If the issue is due to Print Services being stuck / hung, the following should fix the problem.

Stop print service, clear the print folder, Start print service

Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > Services

Scroll down, find, Right-Click, and Stop Print Spooler Service

Open File Explorer (formally Windows Explorer)

Navigate to the folder and Delete the files from folder C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

Start Print Spooler Service

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