Is your HP printer displaying an error message with a status of “unknown”? Many HP printer users have experienced this issue, but this issue is easy and quick to resolve. Here, we will discuss a step-by-step guide to help you identify the cause of the “HP Printer Status Unknown” problem and fix it effectively. First and foremost, you need to check for the actual cause of the problem before jumping to its solution. Also, restart your printer to check for a quick solution. Sometimes, restarting may solve a great number of issues.

What is HP Printer Status Unknown?

The Status Unknown error in your HP printer means that the printer is in an idle state or it may be offline. There can be a possibility that the printer is in sleep or inactive mode as the user has not used it for some time. Due to this, it may show an error as “Status Unknown”. The user can directly wake up the printer and get it working right away without any further interference. However, sometimes there can be certain other issues resulting in the same problem, for which you have to follow up with proper troubleshooting steps.

Related: HP Printer Error Code 60.03

What are the Causes of HP Printer Status Unknown?

There are many potential causes of an HP printer displaying a status of unknown. Some of the most common causes include:

• The printer is not turned ON.
• The printer is not connected properly to the computer or the network
• There is a problem with the printer driver.
• The printer is in standby mode
• The printer has gone into sleep mode.
• The USB cable is damaged or not properly connected.
• A communication error between the printer and the computer.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix HP Printer Status Unknown?

There are various steps that you can follow to troubleshoot and resolve the error. But, before that, you need to configure the actual reason. Follow the steps below to fix it:

Check Power Supply to Printer

Firstly, make sure that the printer is properly connected to the computer and that it has power. If the printer does not have power, try plugging it into a different outlet. If the printer is still not receiving power, you may need to replace the power cord.

Restart the Printer and Computer

Restart both the printer and the computer. Sometimes, a simple restart is all that is needed to fix an issue with a printer. If the restart does not work, try unplugging the printer from the computer and then plugging it back in. This can sometimes reset the connection between the two devices and fix the HP Printer Status Unknown issue.

Check the Printer Connection

If your HP printer is displaying a status of unknown, the first step is to check the printer connection. Make sure that the printer is turned on and properly connected to your computer. If you are using a USB cable, try disconnecting and then reconnecting the cable. If you are using a wireless connection, check that the router is turned on and functioning properly. You may also need to restart your computer.

Check for Software Issues on Windows

Follow these steps to check for software issues and fix HP Printer Status Unknown:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of the HP printer driver installed on your computer.
2. If you’re using Windows,
3. Open the Devices and Printers control panel.
4. Find your HP printer in the list of devices.
5. Right-click on the printer.
6. Select “Properties” Under the “General” tab.
7. After that, click on “Print Test Page.”
8. This will help you determine if the problem is with your HP printer or with the software installed on your computer.

Check for Software Issues on Mac

If you’re using a Mac device, then follow the steps to fix HP Printer Status Unknown.

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on “Printers & Scanners.”
3. After that, find your HP printer in the list of devices and make sure that it is set as the default printer.
4. Click on “Options & Supplies” and then “Open Print Queue.”
5. Finally, click on the “+” icon to add a new print job.

This will help you determine if the problem is with your HP printer or with the software installed on your computer.

Update the Firmware and Drivers

It is important to keep the firmware and drivers of your HP printer up-to-date to avoid HP Printer Status Unknown issue. To update the firmware,

1. Firstly, visit the official HP site at “https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/printers”.
2. Download the latest firmware and then install it on your printer.
3. To update the drivers, you can either use HP’s Driver Update Utility or manually download and install the drivers from HP’s website.

Reset the Printer to Factory Settings

If you face HP Printer Status Unknown, you can try resetting the printer to its factory settings. This will clear any current error messages and return the printer to its default state. To do this,

1. Firstly, power off the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord from the outlet.
3. Wait 30 seconds, then plug the power cord back in and turn on the printer.
4. If the status message is still present, contact HP customer support for further assistance.

Related: HP Printer Error Code 59.F0

FAQs

How do I Fix the Unknown Status on HP Printer?

If you’re troubleshooting your HP printer and you see the “Status Unknown” error, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem.

1. First, try restarting both your printer and your computer. This will oftentimes clear up any communication issues that may be causing the error.
2. Alternatively, check your printer’s connection to see if anything is loose or disconnected. Make sure all the cables are plugged in securely and that there are no exposed wires.
3. If your printer is still having issues, you can try updating the firmware.
4. Lastly, contact HP support executive for help and support.

How do I Check the Status of my HP Printer?

To check the status of the HP printer, follow the steps below and resolve HP Printer Status Unknown:

1. On the computer, open the Control Center.
2. Select “Devices and Printers” from the list of options available in the window.
3. Right-click on your printer model and select “Printer Properties” or “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Properties window, click on the “General” tab and then click on “Printing Preferences” to view a summary of your printer’s current status.
5. The status should be listed at the bottom of this page.

How do I fix the Printer Status not Connected?

If your HP printer’s status is “unknown” or “not connected,” there are a few different things you can try to fix the HP Printer Status Unknown issue.

1. First, make sure that your printer is turned on and properly plugged into an electrical outlet. If it is, then check to see if the printer’s cable is firmly plugged into both the printer and your computer.
2. If your printer is still not working, try unplugging it from your computer and then plugging it back in again. If that doesn’t work, you may need to uninstall and then reinstall the printer software on your computer.
3. If you’re still having trouble, contact HP support for further assistance.

What does Status Unknown Mean?

If your HP printer’s status is unknown, it means that the printer is not communicating with your computer. So, the printer will not respond and perform any task without the issue being resolved accurately.

Why is my Connection Status Unknown?

If you see that HP Printer Status Unknown, there are a few things you can do. First, check to make sure that your printer is properly connected to your computer. If it is, then try restarting both your printer and your computer. If that doesn’t work, try unplugging your printer for a few minutes, then plug it back in.

How do I Turn my Printer Status ON?

To turn ON the status of the HP Printer, follow the steps below:

1. Firstly, make sure that the printer is plugged in and turned on.
2. Launch the HP Printer application or software on your computer and open it.
3. After that, go to the “Settings” tab and select “Printer Status” from the options listed.
4. On the next page, make sure that “On” is selected for both Printer Status and Power Saving Mode settings.
5. Click on “OK” to save the changes you have made and exit the application or software.
6. Finally, your HP Printer should be turned ON and ready for use without any HP Printer Status Unknown issue.

Where can I find Printer Status?

To Check the Printer Status, follow the steps:

1. Open the Start menu and type “Devices and Printers”
2. Select the option to open the Printers and Devices window
3. Right-click on your printer and select “See What’s Printing”
4. Look at the Status information in the top right corner of the window.

How do I Reset my HP Printer Connection?

Here are the steps to follow for resetting the connection and resolving HP Printer Status Unknown:

1. First, turn off the printer and restart it.
2. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet and wait for a few seconds before plugging it back in again.
3. Try connecting to a different port or USB cable if using USB as the connection type.
4. Run HP Print and Scan Doctor and follow its instructions for resetting the connection.

More Helpful Guides

HP Support
HP Printer Error Code 02
HP Printer Error 60.02
HP Printer Error Code 3F0