connected to wifi and laptop but still won't print

[LIZWH1]

My printer is confirmed to be connected to wifi and to my laptop, it will print status updates, diagnostics, test pages from the app, etc but will not print anything else. It will show up in my print queue, but will show up at "unknown status." It looks like documents are getting stuck in the queue. I have tried to refresh it, cancel and try again, etc many times. What am I doing wrong?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @LIZWH1 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

It sounds like your printer is connected properly but encountering issues with processing print jobs. 

Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve the "unknown status" and stuck print queue problem:

Step 1: Restart Printer and Computer

1. Turn off your printer and unplug it from the power source.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Plug the printer back in and turn it on.

Step 2: Clear the Print Queue

1. Open Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click on your HP Deskjet 4100 and select See what's printing.
3. Cancel all pending print jobs:
   • Right-click on each job and select Cancel.
4. Restart the Print Spooler service:
   • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
   • Locate Print Spooler, right-click, and select Restart.

Step 3: Reinstall Printer Drivers

1. Uninstall the current printer drivers:
   • Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
   • Locate the HP printer software and uninstall it.
2. Download the latest drivers from the HP Support page for your printer model.
3. Install the drivers and restart your computer.

Step 4: Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

1. Download the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool.
2. Run the tool to diagnose and fix any issues with your printer.

Step 5: Check Network Connection

1. Ensure your printer and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Restart your router to refresh the network connection.
3. Disable any VPN or firewall temporarily to rule out interference.

Step 6: Update Printer Firmware

1. Visit the Update the firmware on an HP printer | HP® Support page and check for firmware updates for your printer.
2. Download and install the latest firmware.

Step 7: Test with Another Device

1. Connect the printer to another computer or mobile device.
2. Try printing to see if the issue persists.

If this solution hits the spot, please come back and click "Accepted Solution" to help others find the answer. And if you'd like to say thanks, select "Yes" on the bottom left of the public post, as that would make our day! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye