Printer shut down incorrectly

[Lynn6975]

HP Officejet Pro 6975-I keep having printer failure. It tells me to turn off, sometimes it does, sometimes it says shutting down for hours. Also says unplug. I have deleted printer and reloaded and restarted computer at each step. Immediately gives me shutdown error and tells me to contact HP if continues.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Lynn6975,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 keeps showing a “shut down incorrectly / printer failure” message, sometimes hangs for hours, and recommends unplugging, even after reinstalling the printer and restarting your computer. Let’s go through steps to troubleshoot this.

Power cycle the printer properly

Turn the printer off using the power button.

Unplug the printer from power for 60 seconds.

Plug it back in and turn it on.

This clears temporary firmware or memory glitches.

Check for firmware updates

Open HP Smart app → Printer Settings → Updates or go to HP Support → Software & Drivers → OfficeJet Pro 6975 → Firmware.

Install any available updates; many shutdown errors are fixed in firmware updates.

Inspect power supply and outlet

Make sure the power cord is firmly connected to the printer and wall outlet.

Avoid using surge protectors or extension cords for testing; plug directly into a wall outlet.

Check for hardware issues

Sometimes paper jams, misaligned cartridges, or sensor errors trigger repeated shutdown messages.

Open all doors, check cartridges, remove any stuck paper, and reseat cartridges firmly.

Perform a hard reset / semi-full reset

Turn off the printer, unplug it for 60 seconds.

While off, press and hold the Power button for 15–20 seconds to fully drain residual power.

Plug in and power on.

Test without computer connection

Disconnect USB or network cables and try printing a self-test page from the printer’s control panel.

If the error persists without a computer connected, the issue is in the printer itself.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Lynn6975]

I tried these steps.  My drivers are up-to-date but if I scroll within advanced settings I see Firmware Update link but it wouldn't open.  I tried CONTROL + click link and that opens a new tab which yields the following message.  I do not have a proxy server and I even temporarily turned of Firewall but it would not load.  Running diagnostics yielded nothing.  I still immediately get that the printer shut down improperly.  Then it gives me a paper jam error message and if I simple open the draw it clears it, but I have checked paper too.  Then Printer Failure message comes up.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Lynn6975,

Thank you for the detailed update. I understand your HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 continues to report an improper shutdown, followed by paper jam and printer failure errors, and you’re also unable to access the firmware update link even after disabling firewall and running diagnostics. 

Let’s go through a few focused checks to narrow this down.

Perform a full hardware reset
Turn the printer on, then unplug the power cord from the back of the printer while it is still on.
Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet as well and wait at least 2 minutes.
Plug the power cord directly into a wall outlet (no surge protector), reconnect it to the printer, and turn it on.
This reset is more effective than a normal power cycle and helps clear internal firmware faults.

Check for false paper jam triggers
Even when no paper is visible, sensors can get stuck.
Remove all paper from the input tray and rear access area, then gently clean the paper path using a flashlight to check for torn bits or debris.
Reinsert paper neatly and make sure the paper guides are snug but not tight.

Reseat ink cartridges
Open the cartridge access door and remove all ink cartridges.
Inspect for leaks or damage, then reinstall them firmly one by one.
Close the door and allow the printer to initialize fully. Cartridge or sensor errors can trigger shutdown and paper jam messages.

Attempt firmware update using a different method
If the firmware link inside settings does not open, try accessing HP Support firmware directly using a different browser (Edge or Chrome).
Temporarily disable VPNs or network filters if any are active.
If the firmware page still does not load, this points away from a software issue and more toward a printer-side fault.

Test printer in standalone mode
Disconnect the printer completely from Wi-Fi or USB.
From the printer control panel, try printing a self-test or status report.
If the same shutdown, jam, or failure errors appear without any computer involved, this confirms the issue is internal to the printer.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,