Out of Paper Error When there is Paper

I have the same problem, my computer (Win7 64-bit) says the printer is out of paper, but the printer (HP PhotoSmart C4480, attached via USB) knows it is has paper. I've power-cycled the printer several times, Win7 does not pick up the new/correct printer status.

To ensure the printer knew it had paper, I first removed the paper, clicked buttons on the printer to initiate a scan, the printer reported out-of-paper, I added paper, pressed OK on the printer, and the scan completed.

Therefore this is not a problem with the paper or print path, it is a problem with Windows' notion of the printer status falling out-of-sync with the actual status of the printer.

Is there a way to force Windows to reset its notion of the printer status, e.g., re-poll the printer for its status?

Thanks!

--Peter

Replies:

Hi PeterPla,

Thank you for using Microsoft Answers Forums!

Try these steps:

Step 1:

Firstly we will****check the status of the Print Spooler service and would have to start it if it is stopped.

You can start the Print Spooler using the following procedure:

In the Administrative Tools folder (click Start, then Control Panel, then System and Maintenance and then Administrative Tools), open the Services snap-in.

Locate the Print Spooler service in the list of services and confirm that the status is Started. If it is not, select the service and on the Action menu, click Start.

Clear the print caches by following these steps:

1. Open "Computer" and browse to the folder

"c:\windows\system32\spool\printers" and delete all the files in the folder.

2. Do the same to clear the content in the folder

"c:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86"

3. Reboot.

Refer to this link for more information:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324757

Step 2: We can try to update the Printer drivers to the most recent and check if it works.

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

1.      Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Device Manager.‌  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

2.      In Device Manager, locate the device you want to update, and then double-click the device name.

3.      Click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver and follow the instructions.

You can refer to the following link for more details:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Update-a-driver-for-hardware-that-isnt-working-properly

Hope this information was helpful.

Let me know if this worked.

All the best!

Thanks and Regards,

Uma R   

• Microsoft Support.

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

The way I solved it was to restart the print spooler.

1. Right click on task bar and open "Task Manager"
2. Click on "Services" tab
3. Scroll down to "Spooler"
4. Right click on "Spooler" and choose "Restart"

This will reset Window's communication with the printer and Windows will no longer think the printer is out of paper.  Problem solved.

The way I solved it was to restart the print spooler.

1. Right click on task bar and open "Task Manager"
2. Click on "Services" tab
3. Scroll down to "Spooler"
4. Right click on "Spooler" and choose "Restart"

This will reset Window's communication with the printer and Windows will no longer think the printer is out of paper.  Problem solved.

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I actually got so frustrated trying to fix it I  bought a new wireless printer!