Printer is stuck on initializing
Your printer says initializing, preparing or please wait and never finishes. Check for hidden jams, the carriage and cartridges, then reset it safely.
Quick fix
Give it 10 minutes first, and longer for a brand-new printer's first ink charge. If it's still stuck, turn it off, unplug it for 60 seconds, open the covers and check for paper scraps, tape or anything blocking the carriage. Reseat the cartridges, then plug the printer straight into a wall outlet and turn it on.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsYou might see
- The screen shows initializing, preparing, please wait or a progress bar that never finishes
- The lights keep flashing in a startup sequence
- The carriage moves back and forth again and again, then stops
- It began after a power cut, or after fitting new cartridges or toner
- It restarts by itself and gets stuck in the same place
Usually caused by
- Normal startup tasks taking longer than usual
- A hidden jam or object in the paper path or carriage
- New cartridges or toner not seated, or packing left on them
- A power cut interrupting maintenance or an update
- A firmware problem or a faulty accessory
Safety first. Turn the printer off and unplug it before reaching inside to check for jams or objects, and let a laser printer cool first because the fuser gets hot.
Step-by-step fix
Work through the steps in order and check each one off. Most people are printing again before the last step.
Any printer
0 of 8 steps tried
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Wait it out first
After a long time switched off, a power cut, new cartridges or first setup, printers run cleaning, ink priming or calibration routines that can take several minutes. A new inkjet's first ink charge can take considerably longer. Leave it alone for at least 10 minutes, or longer if it's new, before stepping in.
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Do a power reset
Turn the printer off with its power button, or unplug it if the button doesn't respond and no update is showing. Disconnect the cable from the wall and the printer, wait 60 seconds, then plug it straight into a wall outlet rather than a power strip and turn it on.
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Look for a hidden jam
With the printer off and unplugged, remove the paper trays and open the front and rear doors and any duplex unit. Use a flashlight to look for scraps; on a laser printer, check around the toner area and the exit once it has cooled. Even a small piece can block a sensor and stop the printer finishing its startup checks.
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Check the carriage path (inkjet)
Open the access door and look for tape, paper or objects along the carriage rail. If the carriage sits in the middle, slide it gently to each side to make sure nothing blocks it; if it's parked at the side or resists light pressure, don't force it.
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Reseat new cartridges or toner
If the problem began after a cartridge change, take each new cartridge out and check that all protective tape, caps, clips and pull tabs have been removed. Check each one is in the slot that matches its color, then push it in firmly until it clicks.
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Disconnect accessories and cables
Unplug any USB cable, network cable, USB drive, memory card and phone line, then start the printer with only the power connected. If it starts normally, reconnect items one at a time to find the one causing the hang.
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Check for a firmware update
If the screen mentions updating, or the problem began straight after an update was offered, leave the printer plugged in and give it at least 30 minutes. If it still won't finish, see our steps for a blank or frozen screen after an interrupted update.
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Reset or contact the manufacturer
If you can reach the menu, restoring factory defaults may clear a corrupt setting, though you'll need to set up Wi-Fi again. If it still won't start, contact the manufacturer through its official support website with the model, serial number and exactly what the screen shows.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Try these next
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
How long should a printer take to initialize?
Usually a minute or two. It can take several minutes after a long period switched off, a power cut or a cartridge change, and much longer during a new printer's first setup.
Can a power cut damage a printer?
Usually it just interrupts a routine, which the printer repeats when it next starts. Rarely, a cut during a firmware update or a power surge causes a lasting fault.
Should I unplug the printer while it is initializing?
Only after waiting and only if no update is in progress. Cutting power during a new printer's first ink charge can make it start the process over, using more ink.