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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- printer errors

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03-14-2024 01:27 PM
Hi @Okey74,
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
Encountering errors like "unable to read document" on your HP printer can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
- Check Document Format: Ensure that the documents you are trying to print are in a compatible format. Most printers support common formats like PDF, Word documents, and image files (JPEG, PNG, etc.). If you are trying to print a less common format, try converting it to a more standard format before printing.
- Update Printer Drivers: Outdated or corrupt printer drivers can cause communication issues between your computer and printer, leading to errors. Visit the HP website and download the latest drivers for your printer model. Install them on your computer and see if the issue persists.
- Restart Printer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. Turn off your printer, wait for a few minutes, and then turn it back on. After restarting, try printing the document again to see if the error persists.
- Check for Paper Jams or Obstructions: Even if your printer is able to print some documents, there might be a small obstruction or paper jam that is causing it to have trouble reading certain documents. Open your printer's access panels and check for any paper jams or foreign objects inside the printer. Clear any obstructions you find and try printing again.
- Adjust Printer Settings: Sometimes, the settings on your printer might be causing the issue. Check the settings such as paper size, orientation, and quality settings to ensure they are configured correctly for the document you are trying to print.
- Try Different Document: If the issue persists with a specific document, try printing a different document to see if the problem is isolated to that particular file. If other documents print successfully, the issue may be with the problematic document itself.
- Reset Printer: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can try resetting your printer to its factory settings. Refer to your printer's user manual for instructions on how to perform a factory reset. Keep in mind that this will erase any customized settings, so you may need to reconfigure your printer after the reset.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the "unable to read document" error on your HP printer.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!
Alden4
HP Support
HP Support Community Moderator