How to Fix the “Printer in Error State” in Windows

A “Printer in error status” message in Windows can occur for various reasons, such as a faulty connection, driver problems, or misconfiguration of system services. Fortunately, you can fix this problem and get your printer working again by following the tips listed below.

1

Make sure the printer is properly connected to your PC

The first thing to check is the connection of your printer to your PC. For wired businesses, make sure the cable is securely connected to your computer and printer. For wireless printers, check that the the printer is connected to a working Wi-Fi network.

Also, to confirm that your Windows PC recognizes the connected printer, do the following:

1. Open the search menu, type Control paneland select the first result that appears.

2. In the Control Panel window, click View devices and printers under Hardware and Sound section.

3. Find your printer and select it.

4. At the bottom bar, your printer Status field must say ready. This means that your PC recognizes the printer and can communicate with it.

2

Solve printer problems

Rebooting your printer can solve a variety of problems, so it’s worth a try. On most companies, you can just press the Power button to turn it off. Then, wait for about 30 seconds, and then press the button again to go back.

While you’re at it, make sure your printer has enough ink and paper in the tray. Although it should not cause errors in Windows, it is still a good idea to confirm.

3

Run the printer troubleshooter

Running the printer troubleshooter on your Windows 10 or 11 PC is an effective way to fix printer problems. This tool can automatically scan your system for any common problems and try to fix them. Here’s how to run it.

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.

2. Head to System> Troubleshoot> Other troubleshooters.

3. Click the run button next to it Printer.

Wait for the troubleshooter to run and resolve any issues. After that, check if your printer is working as expected.

4

Reinstall the Printer Drivers

Your printer drivers allow Windows to communicate with the device. However, if these drivers are outdated or corrupt, you may encounter the message “Printer in an error state” in Windows.

You can try reinstalling the printer drivers on your PC to see if that helps. Here are the steps for the same.

1. Disconnect the printer from your PC.

2. Right click on the Start icon and select Device Manager from the list.

3. Locate and expand Print Queue.

4. Right click on the printer driver and select it Uninstall the device.

5. Select Uninstall it to confirm.

After completing the steps above, reconnect the printer to your PC, and Windows should automatically install the necessary drivers. If the drivers are not installed automatically, visit the printer manufacturer’s website to download them manually and install the drivers.

5

Configure the print spooler service

Windows relies on the Print Spooler service to handle print jobs and interact with your printer. If this service is not configured to run automatically, you may have problems. Here’s what you can do to fix it.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

2. Type services.msc in the box and press enter.

3. Find the Print Spooler service in the list, right click and select Property.

4. Click on the drop-down menu next to it Type of startup and choose automatic.

5. Click Apply followed by OK basically.

6. Reboot your PC.

6

Install Windows Updates

It goes without saying that you should always keep your Windows PC updated. Running an outdated version of the operating system can lead to many problems, including the “Printer in error state” message.

To check for pending software updates in Windows, open the Settings app and go to System > Windows Update. Then, click on the button Check for updates to your right. Download and install any pending updates, and your issue should be resolved.

Your printer is unable to print anything as long as it is in an error state. Fortunately, it’s not that difficult to fix the underlying problem and get your printer back to normal operation.