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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- HP Envy 5540 in Error State

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06-01-2018 05:18 PM
I'm unable to print anything on my printer, it keeps saying 'printer in error state'. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but it still won't work. Please can you advise? Thanks
06-02-2018 01:57 PM
Thanks for engaging in the HP Forums! I see by your post that you are having trouble with your HP printer. I will certainly do my best to help you 🙂
Going through your post, I understand that you are getting an error message on your HP Envy printer. Don't worry we'll work together to help you find a solution.
To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details:
Have you recently made any changes on the printer before the issue started?
Are you able to make a copy from the printer?
What is the Operating system installed on the PC?
In the meantime, let's try these steps here:
Hard reset on the printer, router, computer and other devices on the same network.
The following steps temporarily disconnect network and Internet connections and require restarting your computer. Complete any tasks or downloads in progress before continuing.
1. Press the Power button on the printer to turn it off.
2. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
3. Disconnect the power cord from the wireless router.
4. Turn off the computer.
5. Wait for 30 seconds.
6. Reconnect the power cord to the wireless router.
7. Wait for 30 seconds, or until the router is fully on and ready
8. Turn the computer back on.
9. Wait for the computer to reload
10. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
11. Turn the printer back on.
Let’s first try and make a “photocopy” to determine whether the issue is with the printer or not. Place a document on the scanner glass and choose “Copy” option. If the printer is making a good copy, then the printer hardware is fine.
If the copy comes out fine, then the printer hardware is functioning fine, this could be an issue with the software.
If you're using Windows:
If you’re running Windows, I would start by checking the installed printer software by downloading and running the HP Print and Scan Doctor. This tool can diagnose and fix many printing and printer software related issues. Please use this link to help you with that information: http://hp.care/2biN2XE
If the issue persists, I would suggest the next step would be to do a clean install to fix the same:
- First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.
- Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP Envy printer entries and uninstall them.
- Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
- Press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" (There is a space between .exe & /) and press enter.
- Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
- Again, go to the Run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
- Restart your computer.
- Now click https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-envy-5540-all-in-one-printer-series/5447939 (Please select the Operating system and version of Windows before downloading and installing the printer software).
- Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Restart the computer and the printer and then to print and check.
If you're using Mac:
Then I would suggest you remove the printer from the queue and add it as a Airprint:
Confirm you are using AirPrint by adding the printer in System Preferences.
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Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.
Figure : Example of the Printers & Scanners window
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Check if your printer name displays in the Printers list, and then do one of the following steps.
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If your printer is listed, remove and re-add the printer to confirm it is set up for AirPrint. Click the printer name, click the minus sign
to delete the printer, click the plus sign
, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name and then continue to the next step.
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If your printer is not listed, click the plus sign, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the name of your printer, and then continue to the next step.
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If your printer is not listed in the Add Printer or Scanner window, go to the Frequently asked questions in this document to resolve connection issues, try to add the printer again, and then continue to the next step.
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Confirm AirPrint or Secure AirPrint displays in the Use or Print Using menu, and then click Add.
Figure : AirPrint displays in the Use menu
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Open a document or photo, click File, and then click Print.
Please let me know if this resolves the issue, or if you require further assistance!
Eagerly waiting for your response!
I hope you have a good day ahead,
And Feel free to ask your queries as this forum has some of the best people in the world available and ready to help.
Regards,
Jeet_Singh
I am an HP Employee