Unknown Printer

How to Identify and Fix Common Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced technical support :

HP Smart app might display the “Printer status unknown” error message if your printer is idle or offline. If your printer goes into sleep or standby mode after a period of inactivity, press the power button to “wake” it.
Check Cables and Printer USB Ports

Check all cable connections (including the power cord) on the printer side. If the printer does have power and you`ve properly connected the communication cable, but the printer is still not recognized, try switching to a different USB port on the PC.

Restart the printer and the computer or mobile device to clear possible error conditions. Restore Wi-Fi setup mode. Most printers with a touchscreen display or menu: Open the Wireless or Setup menu, select Network setup or Settings, and then select Restore Network Settings.
Status unknown means a circumstance where samples were scheduled to be taken by the regional water quality control plant and were not, samples were taken but not yet analyzed by the report due date or where a new discharger has yet to be sampled.
Unplug and restart your printer

Sometimes power-cycling your printer can resolve the issue. Turn off your printer and unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug your printer back in, and then turn the printer back on.

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Locate the Printer troubleshooter, and click on the Run button. Once the wizard completes the process, reconnect the printer and check if the issue is resolved.
Make sure that both ends of the USB cable are correctly inserted into the computer and the printer. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the USB cable at both ends. Disconnect the printer and the computer and reconnect them. Try another USB port if available.
To fix printer not detected error, restart the printer by unpluggin it from the outlet and plug it back to see if it works. Check for printer connection. If everything is just fine, install the printer driver and update it.
Most printers with a touchscreen display or menu: Open the Wireless Summary or Network Settings menu to find the IP address. Printers without a touchscreen display or menu: Print an Information page or Wireless Network report using the button press combination for your printer. The IP address is on the printout.
Definition of unknown. as in unfamiliar. happening or existing without one`s knowledge unknown to me was the fact that while I was out, my family was hurriedly preparing a surprise birthday party. unfamiliar. unbeknown.
: a place, situation, or thing that is not known about or understood. explorers venturing off into the unknown. : a situation that one is unfamiliar with.
Synonyms of unknown (adj. obscure, mysterious) anonymous.
Whenever a paper tray becomes empty or paper is jammed, an e-mail alert is issued to the registered addresses to notify the printer status.
Press the Setup button ( ). Press the Right Arrow button ( ) to select Print Report, and then press OK. Press the Right Arrow button ( ) to select Printer Status Report, and then press OK. The Printer Status Report prints.
You may see a “printer offline” error if your computer can`t communicate with your printer. This can be caused by loose cable connections or an outdated printer driver or operating system. The HP Smart app (below) can automatically diagnose and resolve printer offline issues in Windows operating systems.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

HP DESKJET 1280 ERROR
ANSWER : Help please! Printer power and paper lights continue to flash,- even after : encoder strip cleaned, carriage rod lubed, carriage is not stuck, rollers cleaned, no paper jambed . I know this is a variation on an existing theme, but could anyone help solve the issue.Many thanksKen

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Unknown Printer

HP DeskJet 722C Paper Feed Problem
ANSWER : Detach the force string from the holding nothing back one and expel all paper from it.

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Unknown Printer

hp deskjet 3420- system error
ANSWER : Hi I am having problem in printing from java file , I followed all your steps but C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\spool\\drivers\\w32x86\\3 after this I am getting no files in this folder ,please help me as I am struggling to get print from java since a week

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HP DeskJet 1220C Prints only Pink & Black
ANSWER : hi everyone. i have an hp ink advantage 5525 all-in-one. changed all cartridges as they were empty and when i tried to print i got blank pages. i gave a print order a couple times to find out what was going on and found out that yellow and magenta inks worked but not cyan and black. removed cartridges, clean and all many times and nothing happened. then i tried this youtu.be/f57jOGj-G5s and the print quality of magenta and yellow improved significantly but still no black or cyan at all. i can’t do the running water thing because the print head is not detachable. any suggestions?

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HP Deskjet 1120C
ANSWER : I have just experienced a similar problem after cleaning out the ink build up without removing the outer case. The two lights are flashing and the ink cartridges end up on the far left after jumping back and fore a few times.

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HP Deskjet 5150
ANSWER : Ok I have the same problem, Kemal. HOW DO YOU DISASSEMBLE the printer carriage and the Ink Service Station from that??

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HP DeskJet 950C Leaking Ink
ANSWER : Thanks for the “loose, white rectangular piece” comment in my 990cse. I found this same white piece of rubber today jamming up the cleaning station carriage assembly and was wondering where it came from!

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HP deskjet 460 Waste ink tank full
ANSWER : I worked fixing printers for 5 years for Verizon and some of the older printers were notorious for the waste receptacle filling and overflowing with ink. My solution was good old warm water. Remove the waste container and scoop out as much as you can with a small screwdriver, wiping the discard on a paper towel, then just run warm water from the faucet into the container till all the residue is removed. This is just water soluble ink folks, if you want to test it, scoop out a glob and dissolve it in warm water, its easy as pie. I never once bought a new ink discard reservoir. I just cleaned out my mobile 460 printer reservoir by the same method. There are no electrical connections its just all plastic.

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Unknown Printer