My printer app says everything is connected, but I cannot print from my computer.

[Echoe33]

When I try to print from my computer the printer shoots out page after page of symbols, letter and numbers.

I printed from a word doc on my computer the other day when it wouldn't let me print from an online source, but now I cannot print anything from anywhere on my computer without it shooting out the pages of one or two lines with letters, symbols and numbers.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Echoe33,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

The issue you're experiencing where your HP printer is printing pages full of symbols, letters, and numbers instead of the actual document can be due to several reasons. Let's troubleshoot this problem step-by-step:

Check Printer Drivers: The most common cause for this issue is outdated or corrupted printer drivers. Visit the HP website, find your printer model, and download the latest drivers for your operating system. Install these drivers and try printing again.

Print Queue: Sometimes, a stuck print job can cause problems. Clear the print queue by going to the "Devices and Printers" section in your Control Panel (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac), right-click on your printer, select "See what's printing", and then click on "Printer" > "Cancel All Documents".

Printer Language: If your printer is set to use a different printer language (like PCL instead of PostScript, or vice versa), it might not understand the print commands. Access your printer settings through its software or on the printer itself to check this setting. If you're not sure, consult the printer manual or the HP support website for guidance on changing the printer language.

File Format Issue: If the issue occurs with documents from specific programs or file types, try converting the document to a different format (for example, from DOCX to PDF) and then print it. This might help if the problem is related to how the printer interprets specific file formats.

Connection Type: If you're using a wireless connection, try using a USB cable instead (or vice versa) to see if the issue is related to the connection type. Sometimes, interference or a poor connection can cause data corruption during printing.

Test Page: Try printing a test page directly from the printer's control panel (not from the computer). This can help you determine if the issue is with the printer itself or the connection between your computer and the printer.

Reset Printer: As a last resort, you can try resetting your printer to its factory default settings. This process varies by printer model, so consult your printer's manual or the HP support website for instructions. Note that this will remove all settings, including wireless configurations.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Rachel571 

HP Support