MFP M281 constantly doesn’t print and has to be restarted.

[Fadotubby60b]

MFP M281 constantly had to be restarted. PC’s or iOS devices print to it and nothing happens until reset. 

[Raj_05]

Hi @Fadotubby60b,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw is facing a persistent issue where printing fails until the printer is restarted. This could be due to several causes, such as connection problems, firmware glitches, or printer spooler issues. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can follow.

Check Printer's Network Connection

• Ensure the printer is properly connected to the network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). A weak or intermittent connection can cause delays in printing.
• If using Wi-Fi, try assigning the printer a static IP address to avoid network-related issues.

Update Printer Firmware

• Outdated firmware can cause functionality issues. Visit the HP Support website and search for your printer model to check for any available firmware updates.

Clear Print Queue

• Sometimes, jobs stuck in the print queue can prevent new prints from being processed. Go to your PC or iOS device, open the print queue, and clear any stuck print jobs.

Check for Paper Jams

• Even small paper jams can cause the printer to stop printing and require a reset. Check for any paper jams in the printer.

Check Printer Spooler Settings (PC)

• On your PC, check if the Print Spooler service is running correctly:
  • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  • Scroll down to Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart. Set its startup type to Automatic if it's not already.

Reset the Printer to Factory Settings

• If none of the above works, a full reset might resolve software issues. To reset:
  • Navigate to the Settings menu on the printer.
  • Select Restore Defaults or Factory Reset.

Reinstall Printer Drivers

• Sometimes, corrupted or outdated drivers can cause the printer to malfunction. Try uninstalling and then reinstalling the printer drivers on your PC or iOS devices.

Check Printer's Error Logs

• If available, review the printer’s error logs to see if there are any specific error messages that could point to the root cause.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support