Error code
“Printer in error state” on Windows
“Printer in error state” means the printer reported a problem Windows can’t name. Check the printer’s own screen first, then the connection and the driver.
Windows message
What it means
This is a catch-all status. The printer, or the connection to it, reported a fault, and Windows has no more specific message to show you. Often the real cause is waiting on the printer’s own display: a jam, an open cover, an empty tray or a cartridge it won’t accept. When the printer looks fine, the problem is usually the connection or the driver.
When you’ll see it
- In the status line under the printer in Printers & scanners
- In the print queue while a job refuses to start
- After a paper jam was cleared but jobs still won’t print
- When the printer wakes from sleep and drops its connection
Usually caused by
- Most commonThe printer has a real fault showing on its own screen
- Most commonThe printer is asleep, off or has lost its connection
- SometimesA stuck or damaged job is blocking the queue
- SometimesThe printer port points to an old IP address
- SometimesThe driver is damaged or doesn’t match the printer
- Less commonWindows has been set to use the printer offline
How to clear it
Work down the list in order. Tick off each step as you go: your progress is saved on this device.
Windows 11 and 10
0 of 6 tried
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Read the printer’s own screen or lights
Go to the printer and look for a message, warning icon or blinking light. Clear whatever it reports: remove jammed paper, close every cover and door, load paper, or reseat the cartridge it names. Windows often can’t pass these details on, so the printer’s display is the most reliable clue.
You should see: The printer returns to its ready or home screen with no warning showing.
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Turn the printer off and on properly
Switch it off with the power button and wait for it to shut down fully. Unplug it for 60 seconds, plug it back in and switch it on. This clears temporary faults and makes the printer reconnect to the network or USB.
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Clear the print queue
In Printers & scanners, select the printer and click Open print queue. Cancel every job listed. If jobs won’t leave, restart the spooler with the command below in an administrator Command Prompt.
net stop spooler && net start spoolerYou should see: The queue is empty and the status changes from error to idle or ready.
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Make sure Windows isn’t holding it offline
In the print queue window, open the Printer menu (or the more-options menu in newer versions) and check that Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing aren’t ticked. If either is, click it to clear it.
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Check the port matches the printer’s address
Print a network configuration page from the printer to find its IP address. In Windows, open Printer properties > Ports and check that the ticked port uses that same address. If the address has changed, click Add Port, choose Standard TCP/IP Port, click New Port, enter the current address and make sure the new port is ticked.
You should see: Print test page on the printer’s settings page produces a page.
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Reinstall the driver
If the status keeps returning, remove the printer, delete its driver package under Print server properties > Drivers, restart, and install the current driver from the manufacturer’s official support site or let Windows Update supply one.
Common questions
Why does Windows say error when the printer shows nothing wrong?
Windows reads status from the printer over the connection, and a dropped or stale connection can look like a fault. Power-cycling the printer and checking the port address usually settles it.
Will the Windows printer troubleshooter help?
If your version of Windows offers one, it can restart the spooler and catch simple setting problems, and it’s harmless to try. It can’t clear a jam or a cartridge fault, so check the printer first.
Is “Printer in error state” the same as “Error - Printing”?
They overlap. Error - Printing appears beside a specific job in the queue, while Printer in error state describes the printer as a whole. The checks are similar and start at the printer’s own screen.