Printer won't print. It says, "printer in use," but it is not.

[Tom5968]

HP Smart Tank 5101 won't print. It says, "printer in use," but it is not.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Tom5968 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your HP Smart Tank 5101 is displaying "printer in use" but isn't actually printing, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check for Stuck Print Jobs

• Clear Print Queue:
  1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
  2. Select your HP Smart Tank 5101.
  3. Click on Open Queue.
  4. If there are any stuck print jobs, right-click on them and select Cancel.

2. Restart the Printer and Computer

• Power Cycle:
  • Turn off your printer and unplug it for about 60 seconds. Then, plug it back in and turn it on.
• Restart Your Computer:
  • A simple restart can sometimes resolve communication issues.

3. Check Connection

• Ensure your printer is properly connected to the network (Wi-Fi or USB). If using Wi-Fi, make sure both the printer and computer are on the same network.

4. Set as Default Printer

• Make sure your printer is set as the default printer:
  1. Go to Printers & Scanners.
  2. Select your printer and click on Manage.
  3. Click on Set as Default Printer.

5. Update Printer Drivers

• Ensure that you have the latest drivers installed for your printer:
  1. Go to the HP support website and search for your printer model.
  2. Download and install the latest drivers.

6. Disable “Use Printer Offline”

• If the option is enabled, it can prevent printing:
  1. In the Printers & Scanners settings, right-click on your printer.
  2. Select See what's printing.
  3. Click on Printer in the menu bar and make sure "Use Printer Offline" is unchecked.

7. Check for Firmware Updates

• Make sure your printer’s firmware is up to date. You can check this in the HP Smart app or on the HP website.

8. Reset Printing System (Mac Users)

• If you are using a Mac, resetting the printing system can help:
  1. Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
  2. Right-click (or Ctrl-click) in the Printers list and choose Reset printing system.
  3. Add your printer again afterward.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support