Re: HP Laserjet p1102W was working fine. Suddenly I get Printer status: either error or idle.

Hi @tahunter,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

When your HP LaserJet P1102W printer shows a status of "error" or "idle," it usually indicates a communication issue, a driver problem, or a hardware fault. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Check the Printer Connection

• USB Connection: Ensure the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. Try a different USB port or cable if needed.
• Wireless Connection: If using Wi-Fi:
  • Confirm the printer is connected to the correct wireless network.
  • Check the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer. A solid blue light indicates a successful connection.
  • If the light is blinking, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi:
    1. Press and hold the Wireless button until it starts blinking.
    2. Use the HP Smart app or printer setup software to reconnect to your network.

2. Restart Devices

• Printer: Turn off the printer, unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in and power it on.
• Computer: Restart your computer to refresh connections.
• Router (if applicable): Restart your router to clear potential network issues.

3. Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

• Visit the HP Support website and download the latest driver for your HP LaserJet P1102W printer.
• Steps to reinstall:
  1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
  2. Right-click your printer and select Remove device.
  3. Install the new driver and reconnect the printer.

4. Clear and Reset the Print Spooler

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate Print Spooler in the list.
3. Right-click and select Stop.
4. Go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files in this folder.
5. Return to the Services window, right-click Print Spooler, and select Start.

5. Check for Paper Jams or Low Toner

• Ensure there is no paper jammed in the printer.
• Confirm the toner cartridge is installed correctly and has sufficient toner.

6. Reset the Printer

Perform a factory reset:

1. Turn the printer off.
2. Hold the Wireless button and the Cancel button together, then turn the printer back on while holding the buttons.
3. Release the buttons when the printer begins to initialize.

7. Test Printer Functionality

• Try printing a test page directly from the printer:
  1. Press and hold the Cancel button until the printer prints a configuration page.
  2. Review the page for connectivity details.

8. Verify Windows Default Printer

Ensure your computer is sending print jobs to the correct printer:

1. Open Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
2. Click your printer, select Manage, and set it as the default printer.

9. Perform Firmware Update

If the problem persists, update the printer firmware via the HP Smart app or from the HP website.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day

Irwin6

HP Support