printer won't print. says error but has no error code

[lainey1952]

M139-M142 series, MFP-M140 laserjet printer. HP Smart doesn't recognize it but seems to recognize a prior printer I had. Have unplugged and plugged all cables, cords, router, etc. Restarted printer and desktop to no avail.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @lainey1952 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for the detailed breakdown, Vinod — that helps a lot. When your HP LaserJet MFP M139-M142 shows a vague “error” without a code and HP Smart doesn’t recognize it, it’s often a firmware or connection glitch rather than a mechanical fault. 

Let’s walk through a few targeted steps to get it back on track:

1. Perform a Power Drain

This clears residual charge and resets internal logic:

• Remove the toner cartridge.
• Unplug the printer from power and disconnect USB/network cables.
• Press and hold the Power button for 15 seconds.
• Wait 30 seconds, then reconnect power and turn it on.

If it powers up cleanly, reinsert the cartridge and try printing again.

2. Update Firmware Manually

If HP Smart isn’t detecting the printer, use the HP Easy Firmware Utility:

• Connect the printer via USB.
• Download and run the firmware updater for your model.
• Follow on-screen instructions to complete the update.

This resolves many “phantom” errors like Error 11, which often appear without a code.

3. Reset Network Settings

If the printer was previously connected to Wi-Fi:

• Press and hold the Cancel + Wireless buttons for 5 seconds.
• This restores Wi-Fi setup mode so HP Smart can detect it again.

Then try re-adding the printer in HP Smart.

4. Check for Ghost Devices

Sometimes HP Smart clings to old printer profiles:

• Open HP Smart > Settings > Printers
• Remove any outdated or inactive printers.
• Reboot the app and try adding your current printer again.

5. Use the LED Panel for Clues

If the control panel flashes between “Er” and a number (like Er11), that’s a hidden error code. Let me know if you spot anything like that — it can guide us to a specific fix.

If none of these work, we can try a full factory reset or explore warranty options. Want to try the firmware update first and see if it wakes things up?

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye