Printer in error state: how to clear it
"Printer in error state" means Windows got an error signal from the printer, such as a jam, open cover or lost connection. Here is how to clear it.
What this error means
Windows shows "Printer in error state", or simply "Error", when the printer reports a problem it can't resolve on its own, or when Windows loses contact with the printer partway through a job. The message itself is generic. The real cause is usually shown on the printer's display or indicated by its lights, and it's most often something physical such as paper, a cover or ink, or a connection or driver hiccup.
Common causes
- Paper jam, empty tray, or an open cover or door
- Ink or toner empty, or a cartridge not seated properly
- USB or network connection lost during a job
- A stuck job blocking the queue
- Incorrect driver or port settings
How to fix it
Start with the first fix. They’re ordered from safest and quickest to most involved.
Fixes for Windows
0 of 7 steps tried
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Read the printer’s display or lights
Look at the printer's control panel or blinking lights first. Clear any jam, close every door and cover, load paper and reseat cartridges as needed. If the printer shows a message with an OK or Resume button, press it so the printer returns to its ready state.
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Turn the printer off and on
Switch the printer off with its power button, unplug it for about 30 seconds, plug it back in and turn it on. Wait until it finishes starting up and shows ready before you print again. This clears many temporary error conditions.
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Clear the print queue
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer and choose Open print queue (Windows 10: select the printer and choose Open queue). Cancel every job, then print one test page. A single damaged job can hold the printer in an error state.
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Check the connection
For a USB printer, try a different USB port on the computer and plug in directly rather than through a hub. For a network printer, check it's still connected to the same network as your computer; printing a network configuration page from the printer's menu shows its current IP address and connection status.
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Restart the Print Spooler
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the command below. This resets the Windows print service, which can get stuck reporting an old error after the printer has recovered.
net stop spooler && net start spooler -
Check the printer’s port settings
In Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Printer properties and open the Ports tab. Make sure the ticked port matches how the printer is connected (a USB port for USB, an IP or WSD port for network). For a Standard TCP/IP port, click Configure Port and confirm the IP address is current; if the printer keeps reporting false errors, try clearing SNMP Status Enabled.
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Reinstall the driver
If the error keeps returning while the printer itself shows ready, remove the printer from Printers & scanners, install the current driver from the manufacturer's official support site and add the printer again.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Still stuck? Our printer assistant can walk you through it by live chat, free. . Or the The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
The printer shows no error, so why does Windows?
Windows may have lost contact with the printer or be holding an outdated status. Restarting the Print Spooler, checking the port settings and power-cycling the printer usually clears it.
Does "error state" mean my printer is broken?
Usually not. In most cases it's paper, a cover, ink or a connection issue. If the printer's own display shows a hardware error code that won't clear, look that code up on the manufacturer's official support site.