Printer & Scanner Driver

How to Fix the “Printer in Error State” in Windows – A Complete Guide

If you’re trying to print something important and get this message “Printer in Error State” on your Windows computer, it’s not something new and can be resolved. This common issue happens because of hardware issues, connection problems, or the printer driver is not updated.
The best thing is – you can sort it.

Through this blog, we’ll teach you quick tips to troubleshoot this issue and with the trusted tool like Advanced Driver Updater developed by Systweak Software can resolve it efficiently if the issue occurs because of faulty drivers.

What Causes the “Printer in Error State” Error?

It majorly happens because of hardware or software glitch. Other main issues that can create this problem are as follows:

  • Paper overlapping or empty paper tray
  • No ink or toner
  • USB or wireless issues
  • Old, faulty, or bad printer drivers
  • Windows print spooler service not working properly
  • Security software may block printer communication, especially on a network.
  • Windows updates that are not aligned with printer functionality

Step-by-Step Fixes for the “Printer in Error State” Error

Let’s start with the basic solutions and move toward more advanced troubleshooting techniques.

1. Look For Physical Connections and Printer Status

Start by checking your printer’s physical configuration:

1. Make sure the printer is on and connected to power.
2. Check that all cables are in good condition and supplying current.
3. In case of a wireless printer, ensure the printer is well connected to your Wi-Fi network.
4. There is an adequate amount of paper and ink or toner.
5. Check for paper jams or open printer doors.

Once you’ve checked the above, try printing again.

2. Restart Your Printer and Computer

A basic restart can fix small issues:

1. Switch off your printer for 30 seconds and restart this.


2. Restart your computer.
3. Try to print again.

3. Set Your Printer as the Default Printer

In some cases, Windows may attempt to print to an another device:

1. Start by Control Panel > Devices and Printers.


2. Right-click your printer and select Set as default printer.
3. Make sure it has a green tick to it.

4. Start the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Windows comes with a built-in tool to find and fix printer problems:

1. Check Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.


2. Click Printer and select Run the troubleshooter.


3. Follow the prompts as given to solve the issue.

5. Update Your Printer Drivers Using Advanced Driver Updater

One of the most common issues behind the “Printer in Error State” is nothing but faulty drivers. Rather than manually fixing drivers one by one, you can take advantage of Advanced Driver Updater, the #1 driver updater developed by the Systweak Software, to detect and install the drivers for your printer and other hardware.

Why Use Advanced Driver Updater?

  • Corrects outdated, missing, or incompatible drivers
  • Make sure your printer runs with the latest driver
  • Eliminates the risk of installing corrupt drivers.
  • Simple, one-click update process perfect for all.

How to Use It:

1. Download and install Advanced Driver Updater.

2. Launch the program and click Start Scan Now.


3. Once the scan is complete, locate your printer driver in the list.


4. Click Update Driver to install the latest version.


5. Restart your PC and try printing again.

Advanced Driver Updater ensures all your device drivers are up to date, which not only resolves errors but also improves your system’s overall performance.

6. Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler is a service in Windows that works on printing. If it gets faulty, it can show errors.

Start restarting it:

1. Select Windows + R, type services.msc, and click Enter.
2. Check Print Spooler in the list.


3. Right-click and click Stop.
4. Follow this C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files inside the folder.
5. Return to Services, right-click Print Spooler, and select Start.

Read Also : How to Fix ‘Print Job Stuck in Queue’ Error in Windows

7. Check for Windows Updates

System updates often include fixes for printer compatibility issues.

1. Follow this trail Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.


3. Install any available updates and restart your PC.

8. Try Different USB Port or Wi-Fi

If you are in the USB printer, try connecting it to a separate port or change the USB cord. In the case of wireless printers, reconnect the Wi-Fi and make sure both the computer and printer are connected on the same wifi network.

Read Also : HP Printer Not Connecting to Wi-Fi – Problem & Its Solution

9. Disable Security Software Temporarily

Sometimes, antivirus or firewall software is causing disruption in communication between your printer and PC. For a while switch off your antivirus/firewall and check the printer. If it works, try adding the printer to the exception list.

10. Try the Printer’s Own Repair Tool

Most printer brands give you their own little helper app to fix problems. If you’ve got HP, Canon, Epson, or any other, chances are there’s a tool ready to diagnose and repair your printer automatically.

For example:

HP: HP Print and Scan Doctor
Epson: Epson Printer Utility
Canon: Canon My Printer Tool

Just download the right one for your brand, run it, and let it do the hard work. It can often detect issues you’d never find on your own.

13. Double-Check the Port and Driver Settings

Sometimes your printer is fine, but Windows is sending the print job to the wrong place or using the wrong driver.

Here’s how to check:

1. Open the Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.


2. Right-click your printer and choose Printer properties.
3. Under the Ports tab, make sure the selected port (like USB001 or TCP/IP) matches how your printer is connected.
4. On the Advanced tab, check that the correct driver is selected.
5. A quick tweak here can save you hours of frustration.

14. Remove and Reinstall the Printer

If all else fails, starting fresh can work wonders.

1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Click on your printer and hit Remove device.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Plug your printer back in (or reconnect via Wi-Fi) and add it again.

It’s like giving your printer a clean slate so it can talk to your computer properly again.

When All Else Fails

If nothing works:

  • Try printing from another separate device to avoid PC-specific issues.
  • Factory reset the printer using the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Contact your printer’s support team for hardware-related troubleshooting.

Final Thoughts

The “Printer in Error State” is no fun, but if you follow correct ways to sort it’s easy to fix. While basic troubleshooting can fix multiple problems, the root issue is caused by outdated or corrupted drivers. By keeping your drivers in the up and running condition, you can avoid future printer errors and ensure a smoother, more stable printing experience. 

Yashika Singh

Yashika Singh holds an MBA and has 4 years of experience creating technical content in the IT industry. Specializing in Windows, software, and cybersecurity, she simplifies complex tech topics into clear, practical solutions, helping users troubleshoot issues and stay updated in a fast-paced digital world.

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