printer fails from windows, ok from HP-Smart

[grguthrie108]

My hp LaserJet Pro 3001dw printer is great, but recently windows print system fails for it, saying it is in Error status.

The HP-Smart tool works fine and can print reports, see the printer, etc. and thinks all is well.

Windows printer diagnostics don't help or find anything.

If I reboot windows, it works fine for a few days. 
??

[Irfan_06]

Hi @grguthrie108,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to assist you.

I understand you're experiencing an issue with printing on your printer from windows device.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, I'm here to help you today.

Please follow the steps below to fix the issue.

A) Perform a power drain.

1) Take out the cartridges

2) Unplug the power cord from the printer & wall.

3) Press and hold the power button down for 15 seconds and release the power button, wait for about 30 seconds.

4) Plug the power cord back into the printer and wall, ensure the printer is plugged into the wall & not into a surge protector.

5) Insert the cartridges back into the printer.

Remove the cartridges > Unplug the power cord > Wait for 30 seconds > Plug the power cord back in > Insert the cartridges

B) Kindly refer to the steps on this link to update the printer firmware and let me know if that resolves the issue.

C) If the issue still persists, uninstall the printer software by following the steps from this link and restart the devices.

D) Install the printer software by clicking on the link again and let me know if that resolves the issue.

Note: Enable Bluetooth for an HP Smart app setup: Enable Bluetooth on your computer or mobile device so that HP Smart can detect the printer during the setup.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day

Irwin6

HP Support

[grguthrie108]

I don't think any of this is relevant - because as I noted the printer works fine after a Windows reboot, and can always print from the HP-Smart application, so it is not a printer problem, but a windows driver issue.

[Irfan_06]

Hi @grguthrie108,

I am sorry to hear that the above steps did not help much but i do appreciate your efforts in performing the troubleshooting steps.

Below are some steps to further troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check Printer Connection Settings

• Ensure the printer is connected using the correct method (Wi-Fi, USB, or Ethernet).
• If using Wi-Fi, confirm the printer and PC are on the same network.

2. Restart the Print Spooler

• Open the Services app:
  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Locate Print Spooler in the list.
  3. Right-click Print Spooler and select Restart.
• Test printing after restarting the spooler.

3. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Printers or Print queues, locate your printer, and right-click it.
3. Select Uninstall Device and confirm.
4. Visit the HP support website to download and install the latest drivers for the LaserJet Pro 3001dw.

4. Disable Bi-Directional Printing

• Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• Right-click your printer and select Printer Properties.
• Go to the Ports tab and uncheck Enable bidirectional support if it’s selected.

5. Clear and Reset the Print Queue

• Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
• Delete all files in this folder.
• Restart the Print Spooler service as mentioned above.

6. Check for Conflicting Windows Updates

Sometimes, Windows updates can interfere with printer functionality:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history.
2. Check for recent updates installed around the time the issue started.
3. If you find a problematic update, uninstall it via Control Panel > Programs > View Installed Updates.

7. Set the Printer as Default

1. Open Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
2. Ensure your LaserJet Pro 3001dw is set as the default printer.
3. Uncheck Let Windows manage my default printer to prevent it from changing.

8. Advanced Troubleshooting

• Run HP Print and Scan Doctor: This HP tool can identify and fix issues with your printer.
• Check Event Viewer:
  1. Press Win + X and select Event Viewer.
  2. Look for errors in Windows Logs > System or Applications related to the printer.

9. Reset the Printer

If all else fails, perform a factory reset on the printer:

1. Go to the printer’s control panel.
2. Navigate to Setup > Service > Restore Defaults.
3. Refer to the steps on this link to restore factory defaults

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day

Irwin6

HP Support