Unable to print from Laptop, error printing it appears the new printer is in an idle status.

[Noelle9]

HP LaserJet MFP M234 new printer installed yesterday using HP Smart. Each time i try to print a document from my laptop I receive an error message saying:  error printing .

I have turn the printer off and back on, laptop was powered down and turned back on. Wireless light on printer is static so the printer is connected by wifi.

it appears the status is showing idle not ready

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Noelle9,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

Since your HP LaserJet MFP M234 is showing as “idle” and you're getting an “error printing” message from your laptop, even though the printer is connected to Wi-Fi, this is likely a communication or driver issue between your laptop and the printer.

Let’s walk through the most effective steps to fix this:

Step-by-Step Fix for “Error Printing” with Idle Status

1. Run HP App Diagnose & Fix Tool

This tool is built into the HP app and can automatically resolve many issues, like:

• Print spooler errors
• Offline printer status
• Driver mismatches

To use it:

1. Open the HP app on your laptop.
2. Click your printer.
3. Select “Diagnose & Fix” from the menu.
4. Click Start and follow the on-screen instructions.

👉 Use Diagnose & Fix in the HP app to repair common printing issues (Windows, macOS) | HP® Support

2. Clear the Print Queue and Restart Print Spooler

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down to Print Spooler, right-click it, and choose Restart.
3. Then go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
4. Right-click your printer > See what’s printing > Cancel all documents.

3. Reinstall the Printer Driver

Sometimes the driver installed via HP Smart may not fully register.

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Remove the HP LaserJet MFP M234.
3. Download the full driver/software package from HP: 👉 Official HP® Support
4. Reinstall the printer using the downloaded software.

4. Check Printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS)

If you can’t access the printer via its IP address:

• Make sure the printer and laptop are on the same Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz).
• Try printing a Network Configuration Page from the printer’s control panel to confirm the IP address.
• Enter that IP in your browser to access the printer’s settings.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat