To fix a printer in "error state" on Windows 11, first check basic connections and power by ensuring the printer is on, connected properly via USB or Wi-Fi, and free of jams or low ink. Then clear the printer queue by stopping the Print Spooler service, deleting temporary print jobs, and restarting the service. Next, run the built-in Printer Troubleshooter in Settings to detect and fix issues automatically. Finally, reinstall or update printer drivers through Settings or manually install the latest version from the manufacturer’s website to resolve outdated or corrupted drivers. Following these steps systematically can resolve most printer errors.
If your printer shows an "error state" on Windows 11, it usually means Windows has detected a problem and paused printing. This could be due to a variety of reasons — from simple paper jams or low ink to communication issues between your PC and the printer. The good news is that many of these problems are easy to fix with just a few steps.

Check Basic Connections and Power
Before diving into software fixes, start with the basics. Make sure your printer is turned on and properly connected — whether via USB or Wi-Fi. If it’s wireless, check if it's connected to the same network as your computer.

Here’s what to do:
- Restart both your printer and your router (especially for wireless printers).
- Reconnect USB cables firmly or try a different USB port.
- Check for any visible issues like paper jams, low ink, or open covers.
Sometimes just powering the printer off and on again can clear up minor glitches.

Clear the Printer Queue
A stuck print job can cause the printer to appear in an error state. If there’s a corrupted or frozen print job in the queue, it might prevent anything else from printing.
To clear the queue:
- Press
Windows R
, typeservices.msc
, and hit Enter. - Scroll down to Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Stop.
- Go to
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
and delete all files inside this folder (these are temporary print jobs). - Back in Services, restart the Print Spooler service.
Now try printing a test page to see if the issue is resolved.
Run the Built-in Printer Troubleshooter
Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and sometimes automatically fix printer problems.
To run it:
- Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Printer, click the Run button next to it, and follow the prompts.
This tool can catch issues you might not think of, like driver conflicts or incorrect default printer settings.
Reinstall or Update Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common source of printer errors. Updating or reinstalling them can often resolve the issue.
You can:
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, remove your printer.
- Then click Add device and let Windows reinstall it automatically.
- Alternatively, download the latest drivers directly from your printer manufacturer’s website and install them manually.
Make sure you're using the correct driver version for your specific printer model and Windows 11.
That’s basically how you tackle a printer in error state on Windows 11. Most issues come down to connectivity, stuck jobs, or outdated drivers. Start simple, and work your way through each step methodically.
The above is the detailed content of Printer in error state Windows 11. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

Hot AI Tools

Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free

Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Article

Hot Tools

Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor

SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use

Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment

Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools

SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)

When the Windows Security Center is blank or the function is missing, you can follow the following steps to check: 1. Confirm whether the system version supports full functions, some functions of the Home Edition are limited, and the Professional Edition and above are more complete; 2. Restart the SecurityHealthService service to ensure that its startup type is set to automatic; 3. Check and uninstall third-party security software that may conflict; 4. Run the sfc/scannow and DISM commands to repair system files; 5. Try to reset or reinstall the Windows Security Center application, and contact Microsoft support if necessary.

Encountering something went wrong 657rx can be frustrating when you log in to Microsoft Teams or Outlook. In this article on MiniTool, we will explore how to fix the Outlook/Microsoft Teams error 657rx so you can get your workflow back on track.Quick

When encountering the "SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION" blue screen error, you do not need to reinstall the system or replace the hardware immediately. You can follow the following steps to check: 1. Update or roll back hardware drivers such as graphics cards, especially recently updated drivers; 2. Uninstall third-party antivirus software or system tools, and use WindowsDefender or well-known brand products to replace them; 3. Run sfc/scannow and DISM commands as administrator to repair system files; 4. Check memory problems, restore the default frequency and re-plug and unplug the memory stick, and use Windows memory diagnostic tools to detect. In most cases, the driver and software problems can be solved first.

When you encounter the "DefaultGatewayisNotAvailable" prompt, it means that the computer cannot connect to the router or does not obtain the network address correctly. 1. First, restart the router and computer, wait for the router to fully start before trying to connect; 2. Check whether the IP address is set to automatically obtain, enter the network attribute to ensure that "Automatically obtain IP address" and "Automatically obtain DNS server address" are selected; 3. Run ipconfig/release and ipconfig/renew through the command prompt to release and re-acquire the IP address, and execute the netsh command to reset the network components if necessary; 4. Check the wireless network card driver, update or reinstall the driver to ensure that it works normally.

Windows 11 KB5062660 is now rolling out as an optional update for Windows 11 24H2 with a few new features, including Recall AI in Europe. This patch is available via Windows Update, but Microsoft has also posted direct download l

When the boot prompt is "Windows could not start because of the following fileismissing" 1. You can run bootrec/fixmb, bootrec/fixboot, bootrec/rebuildbcd through the Windows installation media; 2. Check the hard disk connection or use CrystalDiskInfo to detect the health status of the hard disk; 3. If there is a dual system, you can use the bootrec command to rebuild the boot or manually add the boot items; 4. Use PE environment to kill viruses and combine DISM and SFC tools to repair the system files, and the system can be restored in most cases.

If the second monitor is not recognized by Windows, first check whether the cable and interface are normal, try to replace the HDMI, DP or VGA cable, confirm the plug-in video output port, and test different interfaces to eliminate compatibility issues; then verify the monitor power and input source settings, and connect the monitor separately to test whether it can be recognized; then enter the Windows display settings and click the "Detection" button, or use Win P to switch the display mode, and update the graphics card driver at the same time; finally check the graphics card specifications to confirm whether it supports multi-screen output to avoid exceeding its maximum output capability.

Most Windows keys do not work are setup or system issues. 1. Check whether the "Use Windows Key Hotkey" function is enabled and turn off the relevant software or services. 2. Run Windows built-in keyboard troubleshooting detection questions. 3. Check whether there is a ScancodeMap key in the registry, and delete it to restore the Win key if so. 4. Update or reinstall the keyboard driver, try uninstalling the device and restarting it automatically. 5. Test hardware problems, change the external keyboard or use the test website to determine whether it is damaged. Most cases can be solved through the above steps.
