If you own a printer, you may have come across the frustrating “printer in error state” error message. It’s a common problem that can occur for various reasons, such as outdated drivers, network connectivity issues, paper jams, or even faulty hardware. Here’s how to fix the “printer in error state” in Windows 10.

1. Check hardware connections and power supply

First things first, make sure that all cables, USB ports, and power supplies are properly connected and functioning. Try unplugging and re-plugging the printer’s power cable, USB cable, and Ethernet cable if applicable. If using a wireless printer, check if the Wi-Fi signal is strong and stable.

2. Clear all print jobs and restart print spooler service

Sometimes, print jobs can pile up and cause the printer to stop working. To fix this, you can clear the print queue and restart the print spooler service by following these steps:

– Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box.

– Type “services.msc” and hit Enter.

– Scroll down to find the “Print Spooler” service and right-click on it.

– Select “Stop” from the context menu.

– Go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS folder and delete all the files inside.

– Go back to the Services window and right-click on the “Print Spooler” service again.

– This time, select “Start” from the context menu.

– Try printing again and see if the error has been resolved.

3. Update printer drivers

Outdated or incompatible printer drivers can cause the printer to malfunction, resulting in the “printer in error state” message. To update your printer drivers, do the following:

– Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows + X key and selecting “Device Manager” from the context menu.

– Look for your printer under the “Print queues” category and right-click on it.

– Select “Update driver” from the context menu.

– Choose the option “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

– Wait for Windows to search for and download the latest driver for your printer.

– Once the installation is complete, restart your computer and check if the error is gone.

4. Disable antivirus and firewall temporarily

Sometimes, third-party antivirus or firewalls can interfere with the printer’s communication and cause the “printer in error state” error. To check if this is the case, try disabling your antivirus and firewall temporarily, then attempt to print again.

5. Reset the printer

If none of the above solutions work, you can try resetting your printer to its default settings. Refer to your printer’s manual for instructions on how to do this or visit the manufacturer’s website for assistance.