After every print request I get an error message saying my file cannot be printed. If I wait 1 to 15

[Joan1222]

HP Officejet Pro 6978.  After every print request I get an error message saying my file cannot be printed. If I wait 1 to 15 minutes the file will print.

[asmita6658]

Hi @Joan1222

Welcome to the HP Support Community. I'd be happy to assist you with the printing issue. 

Please try these steps to restart the print spooler - 

1. Turn off the printer using the power button.

2. Search Windows for run, and click the Run Windows application in the list of results.

3. Type services.msc in the Run window, and then press Enter on the keyboard.

The Services menu opens.

4. Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.

5. After the service has been stopped, close the service window and use Windows Explorer to browse to C:\Windows\System32\Spool\PRINTERS.

6. Delete all files inside the PRINTERS folder.

7. Restart your computer.

8. Turn on your printer.

9. Try printing again.

Download and install HP Print and Scan Doctor, it is a Windows tool to fix printer issues. 

If the issue still persists, try re-installing the printer driver -

1. In the search box, type and open "Uninstall a Program".

2. Look for HP Printer software.

3. Right-click to uninstall.

4. In the search box, type and open “Devices and printers”.

5. In the Devices and Printers, look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose “Delete” or “Remove Device”.

6. Open the run command with the "Windows key + R" key combo. 

7. Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe” and “/s”).

8. Click on the "Drivers" tab.

9. Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click “Remove” at the bottom.

10. Select Ok.

11. Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows.

12. Close Devices and Printers Once the software and drivers are removed.

13. Restart the computer.

14. Download and install the software and drivers from here for Windows 10 (64-bit).

15. Click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions. 

If the issue still persists, open the print queue window and make sure Pause Printing or Use Printer Offline are not selected. If a checkmark displays next to either item, select the item to clear the checkmark.

You may also try disabling the firewall - Temporarily disable the firewall software on your computer to see if it is interfering with the print job. This is most commonly accomplished by right-clicking the small system tray icon associated with your security software and then selecting Disable firewall or similar. After disabling the firewall clear the print queue and try printing again. If print jobs continue to get stuck, then the firewall is not part of the problem. If your printer prints, then adjust the firewall setting to allow the Windows print spooler service access to the system. Make sure you re-enable the firewall after you have finished testing.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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