Is your HP Deskjet 6980 Not Printing, leaving you with a backlog of unprinted documents? Don’t despair! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to diagnose and resolve common printing problems, getting your HP Deskjet 6980 back in action.

Fix HP Deskjet 6980 Not Printing

Before diving into more advanced solutions, let’s tackle some fundamental checks that can often resolve printing issues with your HP Deskjet 6980:

Method 1: Checking Connections and Power Cycling

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[Solved] HP Deskjet 6980 Not Printing 3
  1. Verify Connections: A loose cable or weak connection can disrupt communication between your computer and the HP Deskjet 6980.
    • Wired Connection: Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into both your printer and computer. If possible, try using a different USB cable to rule out cable faults.
    • Wireless Connection: For a wireless setup, verify that your Wi-Fi network is functioning properly. Confirm that your computer and HP Deskjet 6980 are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Power Cycle the Printer: Sometimes, a simple restart can refresh the printer’s internal processes and resolve temporary glitches.
    • Turn off the Printer: Power off your HP Deskjet 6980 using the power button.
    • Disconnect Cables: Unplug the power cable and any USB cable or Ethernet cable (if using wired network) from the printer.
    • Wait a Few Minutes: Allow the printer to rest for a couple of minutes.
    • Reconnect and Power On: Plug the cables back in and restart the printer using the power button.
  3. Test Printing: Once you’ve checked connections and restarted the printer, try sending a test print job to see if the issue is resolved.

Remember:

These basic troubleshooting steps can often be surprisingly effective in resolving printing problems. By following these methods and continuing to the next parts of this guide, you should be well-equipped to diagnose and fix most common printing issues with your HP Deskjet 6980.

Method 2: Setting Your HP Deskjet 6980 as the Default Printer

An overlooked detail can sometimes be the reason behind a non-printing printer. Here’s how to ensure your HP Deskjet 6980 is set as the default printer on Windows:

  1. Open the Control Panel: There are two ways to access the Control Panel:
    • Run Command: Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type “control panel” and press “Enter.”
    • Start Menu Search: Click on the Start menu and type “control panel” in the search bar. Select “Control Panel” from the search results.
  2. Navigate to Devices and Printers: Within the Control Panel window, locate the “Devices and Printers” section. Click on it to open the list of devices connected to your computer.
  3. Find Your HP Deskjet 6980: Identify your HP Deskjet 6980 model name in the list of printers.
  4. Set as Default: Right-click on your HP Deskjet 6980 model and select “Set as default printer” from the context menu.
  5. Confirm Selection: A confirmation dialog might appear. Click “OK” to confirm your selection.
  6. Verify Default Status: Look for a checkmark next to your HP Deskjet 6980 model icon in the Devices and Printers list. This indicates that it’s now the default printer.

Method 3: Checking and Managing the Print Queue

A clogged print queue can prevent new printing jobs from being processed. Here’s how to manage the print queue on Windows:

  1. Access Devices and Printers: Open the Control Panel and navigate to the “Devices and Printers” section as described in Part 2.
  2. Right-Click Your HP Deskjet 6980: Locate your HP Deskjet 6980 model in the list and right-click on it.
  3. See What’s Printing: Select “See what’s printing” from the context menu. This will open a window displaying the current print queue.
  4. Open as Administrator (if needed): In some cases, you might need administrator privileges to cancel print jobs. If prompted, select “Open as administrator” from the printer menu.
  5. Cancel Print Jobs: Review the list of printing jobs. You can select individual jobs to cancel or click “Cancel all documents” to clear the entire queue.
  6. Confirm Cancellation: Verify your selection and confirm the cancellation process.
  7. Verify Print Queue: Once you’ve canceled unwanted jobs, check if the print queue appears clear.

Method 4: Checking Ink Levels and Paper Status

A lack of ink or paper, or even a paper jam, can prevent your HP Deskjet 6980 from printing. Here’s how to check these factors:

Paper Tray and Paper Jams:

  1. Verify Paper Availability: Ensure there’s enough paper loaded in the correct paper tray for the size and type of paper you intend to print on.
  2. Check for Paper Jams: If the printer indicates a paper jam, follow the HP Deskjet 6980’s user guide or consult HP’s support website for instructions on clearing the jam carefully. This might involve removing any jammed paper from the paper tray, printhead area, or output tray.

Ink Levels and Cartridge Status:

  1. Monitor Ink Levels: Most HP Deskjet 6980 models have an ink level indicator on the printer itself or within the printer software on your computer. Check the ink levels for all cartridges.
  2. Identify Low Ink: If an ink cartridge is low or empty, the indicator will likely show a warning or an empty cartridge symbol.
  3. Replace Low Cartridges: For low or empty cartridges, consider replacing them with genuine HP ink cartridges or compatible replacements following the HP Deskjet 6980’s user guide.
  4. Caution with Third-Party Cartridges: While compatible ink cartridges can be a cost-effective option, using incompatible cartridges might cause printing problems or damage the printer. Use replacements at your own risk.
  5. Reinstall Original Cartridges (if necessary): In rare cases, replacing cartridges might cause temporary glitches. If printing issues persist after replacing cartridges, try reinstalling the original cartridges to see if the problem resolves.

Seeking Professional Help:

If you’re uncomfortable checking or replacing ink cartridges or clearing paper jams yourself, it’s advisable to seek help from a qualified technician or HP Support. They can provide expert guidance and ensure proper procedures are followed to avoid damaging your HP Deskjet 6980.

Method 5: Updating the Printer Driver

Outdated printer drivers can sometimes lead to compatibility issues and printing problems. Here’s how to update your HP Deskjet 6980 driver on Windows:

Using Device Manager:

  1. Access Device Manager: Open the Control Panel and navigate to “Device Manager.” You can also access it by pressing the Windows key + R, typing “devmgmt.msc,” and pressing “Enter.”
  2. Locate Your HP Deskjet 6980: In the Device Manager window, expand the “Printers” section. Find your HP Deskjet 6980 model name listed.
  3. Update Driver: Right-click on your HP Deskjet 6980 and select “Update driver” from the context menu.
  4. Automatic Driver Search: Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.” Windows will search online for the latest driver for your HP Deskjet 6980.
  5. Install Updates: If an update is found, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
  6. Restart PC: Once the driver update is complete, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Using Windows Update (Alternative Method):

  1. Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows system is up-to-date. Outdated system updates can sometimes include printer driver updates.
    • Restart your computer to ensure any pending updates are complete.
    • Press the Windows key and type “Check for updates.” Click on the relevant option to initiate the update check.
  2. Install Available Updates: Windows will search for available updates. If a driver update for your HP Deskjet 6980 is included, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.

HP Deskjet 6980 Not Printing FAQs: Diagnosing the Silence

Is your HP Deskjet 6980 refusing to cooperate, leaving you with a queue of unprinted documents? Don’t worry! These FAQs will help you diagnose common reasons behind a non-printing HP Deskjet 6980 and point you towards solutions.

Q: Why is my HP printer working (turned on, connected) but not printing?

Several factors can contribute to this:

  • Incorrect Default Printer: Your computer might be trying to print to a different printer.
  • Connection Issues: Faulty USB cable (wired) or weak Wi-Fi signal (wireless) can disrupt communication.
  • Print Queue Clogged: The print queue might be clogged with stuck or corrupt print jobs.
  • Software Conflicts: Conflicting software on your computer can interfere with printing.
  • Outdated Printer Driver: Outdated drivers might not be compatible with your current operating system.

Q: Why is my printer not printing even though it’s connected?

Even with a seemingly proper connection, there could be issues:

  • Paper Tray Issues: Ensure there’s paper loaded correctly and no paper jams.
  • Ink Cartridge Problems: Low ink, empty cartridges, or incompatible cartridges can prevent printing.
  • Background Printing Processes: Check if other software is monopolizing the printer.

Q: Why is my printer not printing when it has ink?

Ink levels might not be the sole indicator. Consider these:

  • Faulty Ink Cartridge: Even if ink levels appear good, a cartridge might be malfunctioning.
  • Printhead Clogged: The printhead, responsible for ink application, could be clogged.
  • Incorrect Ink Cartridge Selection: Make sure the cartridge type is compatible with your HP Deskjet 6980 model.

Q: Why is my HP printer not printing black when the black ink is full?

A full black ink cartridge doesn’t guarantee black printing:

  • Empty Tri-Color Cartridge: Some HP Deskjet models use a combined color cartridge. If that’s empty, black might not print.
  • Printhead Clogged (Black Nozzle): Clogging can affect specific color nozzles, even if the black cartridge is full.
  • Driver or Software Issue: In rare cases, a driver or software glitch might prevent black ink printing.