How to Reset an HP Printer

1. Power cycle (fixes most stuck errors)

Turn the printer off using its power button, unplug it from the wall, and wait a full 60 seconds before plugging it back in — this lets internal capacitors fully discharge and clears temporary error states that a quick off-and-on doesn't. This resolves the majority of stuck errors and a printer that's stopped responding without an obvious cause.

2. Network settings reset (fixes connection problems)

If the printer keeps dropping off Wi-Fi or can't find your network, the printer needs to forget its saved network entirely. On the printer's display, go to Settings → Network → Restore Network Settings (menu wording varies by model). This clears only the network configuration, leaving other settings intact. You can also do this through the HP Smart app under the printer's advanced settings. Run the wireless setup wizard again afterward to reconnect.

3. Full factory reset (wipes everything)

Use this only if you're preparing to sell, donate, or recycle the printer, or the device is behaving erratically in a way neither a power cycle nor a network reset resolves. On the display, go to Settings → Tools → Restore Factory Defaults or similar, and confirm when prompted. The printer erases all custom settings and saved networks, then restarts as if unboxed for the first time. You'll need to run through wireless setup again from scratch afterward.

Models without a screen

On simpler HP models without a touch display, a factory reset is often done via a specific button-hold combination on power-up — commonly holding the power button (sometimes combined with the wireless button) for around 10 seconds. The exact combination varies by model, so check your printer's manual or HP's official support site for your specific model number before attempting this.

Resetting via the HP Smart app

The HP Smart app offers a more guided reset experience for many current models — open the app, select your printer, and look under its settings or "Printer settings" section for reset or restore options. This is often easier to navigate than the printer's own menu, especially for finding the network-specific reset without accidentally triggering a full factory reset.

What a reset won't fix

A reset clears software-level state — stuck queues, corrupted settings, forgotten networks — but won't fix a genuine hardware fault: a jammed roller, a failed print head, or a physically dirty cartridge sensor. If the same problem returns immediately after a reset and reconnection, the cause is almost always physical rather than a settings issue.