You often press the print button on your HP printer but it only sends out an HP error blank. This is indeed very annoying, and you’re not alone. Many HP users worldwide are asking how to fix a blank issue on HP. Before you head out looking for technicians, try the solutions here.
Very simple five solutions are listed below. You might not try them all but follow the list to the bottom until you find the one that resolves your how to fix blank issue on HP.
-
Checking your ink cartridges:
If your printer keeps printing blank pages, you should verify your cartridges are working properly. Here is what you should check: Your printer won’t function properly when the ink cartridges are blocked or clogged. If that’s the core issue, try cleaning your ink cartridges from the printer control panel or clean them manually.
2. Checking ink levels on your printer:
Low or empty cartridges can also cause the printer to print blank pages. So, check the ink and toner levels on your printer and replace cartridges if required.
3. Reinstalling your cartridges:
Printer issues might occur when your cartridges are defective or when the connection between cartridges and your printer is weak. Remove your cartridges to see if any cartridges are defective. If you find any damaged cartridges, replace them. If all your cartridges are in good condition, reinstall your cartridges. Make sure your cartridges are fine, then try printing a page.
4. Running the Windows troubleshooter:
The printer troubleshooter is a Microsoft built-in utility that can detect and fix common printer issues automatically. So, when your printer isn’t working correctly, try using the tool to see if it helps the HP error blank.
-
Windows 7 OS:
On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key, and then type troubleshooting. Select Troubleshooting. Click Use a printer. Go to Next. When the troubleshooting is complete, try printing a page to see if your printer works correctly.
-
Windows 10 OS:
On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type troubleshooting. Select Troubleshooting settings. Click on Printer, and then click on Run the troubleshooter. Wait for the troubleshooting process to be complete, then try printing a page.
-
Updating the printer driver:
Driver, or device driver, is a program that makes your computer and hardware attached work. If the driver hasn’t been properly installed on your computer, your printer may show HP error blank or HP error black paper, and issues like blank page printing are likely to occur. So updating the driver should always be your go-to option when something goes wrong with your HP printer. There are two ways you can get the right driver, either manual updating or automatically updating.
-
Manual Updating of the driver:
HP keeps updating printer drivers. To get the latest driver for your printer, go to the HP support website and find the driver corresponding with your specific Windows version and download the driver manually. Once you’ve downloaded the correct drivers for your system, double-click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
-
Automatic installation of the driver:
If you don’t have the time, patience, or computer skills to update your printer driver manually, you can do it automatically with the Driver Easy app. Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing. You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. Firstly, download and install Driver Easy. Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers. Click the Update button next to the printer driver to automatically download the correct version of that driver, then you can manually install it. You can also click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of data on your system.
-
Downloading Scan Doctor app
HP Print and Scan Doctor is a free tool that you can use to find the root cause of your printer problem. You can use the tool to troubleshoot your misbehaving HP printer. Follow the instructions. Firstly, Download the HP Print and Scan Doctor from the HP support website. Now Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the HP Print and Scan Doctor. Finally, Run your HP Print and Scan Doctor. Now click on the Start option and follow the provided instructions to solve the issue of the HP printer printing blank.
-
Configuring the Spooler service:
The blank-page printing issue occurs when the Printer Spooler files on your PC are damaged or missing. Try restoring your Printer Spooler service files to see if that’s the problem for you. Press the Windows logo key and type services. Select the Services option. Now select the printer spooler. Click on stop and then select OK. Open Windows File Explorer (on your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and E simultaneously). Go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. Now delete all the files in this folder. Press the Windows key and type services. Go to the printer spooler from the services option. Click Start. Then, make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic and then click OK.
-
Repairing System Files:
Corrupt, damaged, or missing files in your Windows OS can cause printer malfunction. You can run a WIndows repair to check if this is the core issue. Use the Windows repair tool Restore to fully analyze your computer environment and identify the cause of the monitor issues. This will deal with issues related to system errors and critical system files. Use Windows built-in tool System File Checker to check for corrupt, damaged system files and repair them. However, this can only help you fix issues related to major system files, and it won’t be able to help with issues caused by damaged DLL, Windows Registry key, etc.
Users often get confused and ask ‘Why is my HP printer not printing black. The quality of the printed documents is streaked or faded and even blurred or fuzzy. Underlying are some easy solutions that will help you solve the HP error black paper.
- HP printers often face problems working with non-reliable non-HP cartridges. You can purchase genuine cartridges from the HP Store or local retailers. To check the authenticity, you can visit the HP anticounterfeit webpage.
- Check the estimated ink levels. If any of the ink cartridges are low on ink, this may lead to the HP printer not printing black. You can use an automated tool to align the cartridges.
- Check whether the print settings are appropriate for printing using your respective operating system.
- Print out a diagnostic report and review it. Check the report for the defect you are facing.
- Clean the area around the ink nozzles as their blockage may sometimes fail the printing of documents.
- If none of the above processes help, try to service your printer. You can visit the official site of HP and schedule a product repair or you can go to a local service center.