# "Printer is in an error state" and I can't fix it!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-is-in-an-error-state-and-i-cant-fix-it/671399>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 16, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-is-in-an-error-state-and-i-cant-fix-it/671399 "2013-10-16T15:15:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-is-in-an-error-state-and-i-cant-fix-it/671399/21 "2013-10-18T13:07:07Z")

</div>

> [@Pjen](#):
>
> Simple question- have you tried the printer with another computer ofr the computer with another printer?

Nope, because I don’t have another printer or another computer (except a Chromebook, and I don’t think that will print to the printer without all the installed software.) But the printer works - at least the part that copies and scans. It’s just invisible to the computer.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BrickaBracka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BrickaBracka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickaBracka)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-is-in-an-error-state-and-i-cant-fix-it/671399/22 "2013-10-18T13:17:32Z")

</div>

If you decide to use the bat, please post a video. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-is-in-an-error-state-and-i-cant-fix-it/671399/23 "2013-10-18T14:37:00Z")

</div>

> [@Chickenwrangler](#):
>
> Had a similar problem with my Canon printer just a couple of days ago. Worked fine one day and not the next.  
> Tried everything reinstall driver, reboot computer, changed cable nothing worked thought I would have to buy a new printer.  
> As a final last ditch effort I pulled out and reinserted the USB cable several times at both the computer and printer end and the printer came to life.  
> Although I had already tried with a new cable only by sveral times robustly reseating the plug at the printer end did it finally work - with the old cable.  
> Obviously a bad connection on the plug/socket that needed cleaning.🙂

In fact, all the fixes I’ve tried have first suggested that the USB cable is not connected. So I’ve done that several times. I guess I could try it some more, but I’m not optimistic. The bat method is _really_ looking good right now.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kingpawn3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@Kingpawn3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kingpawn3)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-is-in-an-error-state-and-i-cant-fix-it/671399/24 "2015-11-06T03:26:57Z")

</div>

I have windows 8.1 and I was having the same issue with my hp deskjet 882c,  
I tried all the suggestions before I just held the printer reset button in until it reset.  
Now I am printing again.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-is-in-an-error-state-and-i-cant-fix-it/671399/27 "2017-01-14T16:17:54Z")

</div>

Reported.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-is-in-an-error-state-and-i-cant-fix-it/671399.md?page=1)