Printer is in an error state

Easy to moderate≈ 10-30 min

Quick answer

“Printer in error state” is a Windows status that, according to Microsoft, may point to a problem with the printer itself. Turn the printer off, unplug it, wait 30 seconds and turn it back on, then check the cable or Wi-Fi. If the status stays, look for low paper or ink, an open cover or a paper jam.

Basic checks first

  • The printer has paper and ink or toner, no cover is open and no paper is jammed. Microsoft names these four checks for this exact status.
  • The printer is turned on and its USB cable is properly connected from the printer to the PC, or its wireless option is turned on and available.
  • The PC is on the same network as the printer. This matters if you use wireless access points, extenders or several routers with separate SSIDs.
  • The status really says “error state”. If Windows shows the printer as “offline” instead, follow the offline printer steps.

Step-by-step by operating system

01Run the printer troubleshooter (Windows 11)On Windows 11, start with the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It runs diagnostics and tries to fix the problem on its own. If it can’t, continue with the steps below. On Windows 10, go straight to the next step.
02Unplug and restart the printerTurn off the printer and unplug it. Wait 30 seconds, plug it back in and turn the printer back on.
03Check the cable or the wireless connectionFor a USB printer, make sure the cable is properly connected from the printer to the PC. If Windows doesn’t recognise the USB device, use Microsoft’s USB troubleshooting article. For a wireless printer, check that its wireless option is on (many printers have a button with a blue wireless icon) and run the printer’s wireless connectivity test from its menu, as described in its manual or on the maker’s website. For a Bluetooth printer, see Microsoft’s Bluetooth troubleshooting article.
04Look at the printer itselfIf the status is still “error state” after the restart and the connection check, Microsoft says to check the printer for low paper or ink and to make sure the cover isn’t open and the paper isn’t jammed. If paper is stuck, remove it following the printer’s manual (see our paper jam page).
05Cancel every job in the print queueSelect Start › Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners. Select your printer and choose Open print queue. Right-click each print job and select Cancel until the queue is empty.
06Remove the printer and add it againIn Printers & scanners, select the printer, select Remove and confirm with Yes. Make sure the printer is on and connected, then select Add device (or Refresh). If your printer appears, select Add device next to it. If it doesn’t, select Add manually. For a printer connected directly to the PC, choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, select Use an existing port and pick the port it uses (USB, for example), then choose Have Disk if you have the maker’s disc or Windows Update to pick the manufacturer and model. If Windows asks which driver version to use, Microsoft recommends Replace the current driver unless you are sure the installed one is correct. Finish with Print a test page.
07Install the latest driver and remove old onesMicrosoft notes that most printers need the latest driver to work well. Select Start, type Device Manager and open it. Expand Print queues or Printers and uninstall unnecessary, old or duplicate printer drivers. Then install the latest driver for your printer model from the manufacturer’s website.
08Clear and reset the print spoolerSearch the taskbar for services and open Services. Double-click Print Spooler, select Stop and then OK. Search for %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers, open the PRINTERS folder and delete all files in it. Back in Services, open Print Spooler again, select Start, set Startup type to Automatic and select OK. For a quick restart only, press Windows key + R, type services.msc, press Enter, right-click Print Spooler and select Restart.

Fixes by connection type

USB

Make sure the USB cable is properly connected from the printer to the PC. If Windows doesn’t recognise the USB connection, Microsoft points to its article on diagnosing and fixing Windows USB problems.

Wi-Fi

Check that the printer’s wireless option is on and run its wireless connectivity test from the printer menu. If that passes, the PC may be the one not connecting to the network. With extenders, access points or several routers with separate SSIDs, connect the PC to the same network as the printer.

Bluetooth

For a Bluetooth printer, Microsoft refers to its Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows article before you work on the printer entry itself.

Differences by brand

HP, Brother, Epson, Canon, KyoceraThe message comes from Windows and Microsoft’s steps are the same for every brand. Use the printer’s own screen or lights to find paper, ink, cover or jam problems, and the maker’s manual or website for the location of the wireless button, the wireless connectivity test and the latest driver.
ARM-based Windows PCsMicrosoft is aware that some ARM PCs can’t add or install a printer with the installer provided by the printer manufacturer. If you are reinstalling on one of these PCs, add the printer through Windows Settings instead.

Decision tree

Does the status say “offline” instead of “error state”?Follow the offline printer steps instead (see our printer offline page).
Is the error still there after a 30-second unplug and a cable or Wi-Fi check?Check the printer for low paper or ink, an open cover or a paper jam, as Microsoft advises for this status.
Paper, ink, cover and paper path all fine?Cancel every job in the print queue, then remove the printer in Printers & scanners and add it again.
Still in error state after reinstalling?Install the latest driver from the maker, uninstall old or duplicate drivers in Device Manager, and clear and reset the print spooler.

Frequently asked questions

What does “printer is in an error state” mean?

It is a status Windows shows for the printer. Microsoft says it may mean there is a problem with the printer itself, such as low paper or ink, an open cover or jammed paper. Microsoft’s fix list for this status also covers the connection, the printer driver and the print spooler on the PC.

How do I fix “printer is in an error state” on Windows 11?

Run the printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. If that doesn’t help, unplug the printer for 30 seconds, check the cable or Wi-Fi, then check paper, ink, cover and jams. After that, clear the print queue, remove and re-add the printer, install the latest driver and reset the print spooler.

Is the fix the same on Windows 10?

Yes. Microsoft’s article applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11. The only difference is that the Get Help troubleshooter step is for Windows 11 devices; on Windows 10, start with the printer restart.

Why does my HP printer say “error state”?

The “error state” wording is a Windows status, not an HP code. Check the HP printer’s screen or lights for paper, ink, cover or jam problems, then work through the Windows steps. For the latest driver, use HP’s website for your model.

How do I fix a Brother printer error state?

Use the same steps as for any brand: restart the printer with a 30-second unplug, check the connection, then check paper, toner or ink, covers and jams. If the printer itself looks fine, clear the queue, reinstall the printer and install the latest driver from Brother’s website.

My Epson or Canon printer is in an error state. Is it broken?

Not necessarily. Microsoft says the status may point to a problem with the printer, and the first checks are simple ones: paper, ink, open cover and paper jam. If those are fine and the error stays after reinstalling the printer, check the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting information or driver updates, as Microsoft suggests.

The printer has paper and ink but is still in an error state. What now?

Move on to the Windows side: cancel all jobs in the print queue, remove and re-add the printer, uninstall old or duplicate drivers in Device Manager, install the latest driver from the maker and clear and reset the print spooler.

Can a stuck print spooler cause the error?

Microsoft lists clearing and resetting the print spooler as a fix when the earlier steps fail. When the spooler crashes, jobs stay stuck in the queue and the printer stops responding, and conflicting drivers are a common cause.

PrinterErrors editorial team

Last updated · Content is independent and not sponsored by any manufacturer.

Sources & methodology

  • Microsoft Support (KB 4028004): Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows OS vendor, Windows 10 and 11. The old “printer in error state” KB address now opens this article. It says a “Printer in error state” status may mean a problem with the printer itself and lists the order of checks: Get Help troubleshooter, power cycle with a 30-second wait, cable and wireless checks, low paper or ink, open cover and paper jam, remove and reinstall the printer, latest driver, and clearing and resetting the print spooler
  • Microsoft Support: Fix print spooler service not running errors in Windows OS vendor, Windows 10 and 11: cancelling every job in the print queue, removing old, duplicate or conflicting printer drivers in Device Manager, installing the latest driver from the manufacturer, and restarting the Print Spooler service from services.msc

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