HP Print and Scan Doctor: We have an HP DesignJet T520 printer in our office. It’s not even up to two years old, but we’ve already changed the print head three times. Almost every week, it uses plenty of ink just to clean and align itself. After all that, it still runs dry again. I’ve replaced the ink cartridges many times, yet the same issue keeps happening.
Funny enough, our old printer from ten years ago worked better than this one. This new one behaves like it’s tired of working. But my boss still wants us to keep using it.
To be honest, anytime I hear someone press the print button, I already know what will happen. The printer will either freeze or give one error again. For fun, we even put a small poster of a meme about smashing a printer on it—but that hasn’t changed anything. That’s how annoying printer problems can be.
If you’ve faced this kind of trouble before, you’re not alone. Many people in Nigeria and outside the country deal with printer wahala every day.
But there’s a simple tool from HP that can help fix most of these issues. It’s called HP Print and Scan Doctor.
In this post, we’ll walk you through 6 common printer problems that this powerful tool can solve in minutes — without you needing to be a tech expert.
But first…
What Is HP Print and Scan Doctor?
HP Print and Scan Doctor is a free tool created by HP. It helps people fix basic problems with their HP printers and scanners. If your printer is not printing, the scan button is not responding, or it shows as offline, this tool can help you correct those issues.
You don’t need to know much about computers to use it. It works step-by-step to find what’s wrong and either solves it automatically or tells you what to do. The tool works with most HP printers and is perfect for people using Windows 10 or Windows 11.
If you’re looking for how to use HP Print and Scan Doctor to fix printer issues, or you want to download HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows 10 or 11, you’re already on the right path.
Let’s look at the specific issues this tool can fix fast.
1. Printer Not Showing on Your Computer
This is a common problem. You connect the printer with a USB cable or Wi-Fi, but your computer can’t see it. It may say, “No devices found” or simply stay blank. Even if everything is plugged in correctly, nothing shows up.
How HP Print and Scan Doctor Helps:
It searches your system and looks for any connected printers.
It finds the printer even if it’s not properly installed.
It fixes broken links between your printer and computer.
If the printer is on Wi-Fi, it checks the network settings to connect properly.
This fix can save a lot of time, especially in busy offices where multiple people use the same printer.
2. Printer Shows as Offline
You open a file and press print, but the printer status says offline. This is one of the most annoying problems because the printer is clearly on and ready, but your PC thinks it isn’t.
HP Print and Scan Doctor Fixes This By:
Resetting the printer connection.
Updating the printer driver if needed.
Restarting the printing services in Windows.
Changing the printer status back to online.
Most users who have this problem don’t need to uninstall or reinstall the printer again. Running the tool usually restores everything in a few minutes.
3. Print Jobs Are Stuck in Queue
You send a job to the printer, and it stays in the list without printing. Sometimes it just keeps spinning. You try canceling it, but it doesn’t go away. You restart the printer, but the job is still there.
The Tool Handles This By:
Clearing the print queue.
Restarting the spooler (the service that manages print jobs).
Fixing any errors that prevent jobs from starting.
People often waste a lot of paper and time restarting print jobs when they could just run the tool.
4. Scanner Not Responding or Not Found
This issue mostly affects HP printers with built-in scanners. You click scan, but nothing happens. Or you get an error saying the scanner cannot be found. This happens when the scanner driver is missing or damaged.
HP Print and Scan Doctor Helps by:
Detecting the scan feature on the printer.
Repairing or reinstalling the scanning software.
Testing the scan function and helping you reconnect it to your computer.
If you need to scan ID cards, school forms, or contracts regularly, this fix is very important. It can save you a trip to a cyber café or printer shop.
5. Driver Issues and Printer Not Working After Windows Update
Many times, after a Windows update, your printer may stop working. The drivers become outdated or no longer work properly. Instead of guessing what to install, the HP tool does the job for you.
How It Helps:
It checks your current driver version.
It compares it with HP’s latest version.
If outdated, it downloads and installs the correct driver.
This is one of the most helpful features, especially for people using old printer models or those who upgraded to Windows 11 recently.
6. Wi-Fi and Network Problems
Wireless printers are convenient, but they come with their own problems. Sometimes your PC can’t find the printer, even though it’s turned on and connected. Or maybe the printer was connected before, but now it refuses to print.
What the Tool Does:
It confirms that your printer and PC are on the same Wi-Fi.
It helps reconnect the printer through the right network setup.
It helps fix wireless settings that break after router changes.
For those using shared printers in offices or schools, this tool can reconnect your devices without needing an IT person.
How to Use HP Print and Scan Doctor (Step-by-Step)
Install and run the application.
Select your printer when it appears.
Click “Start” to begin the diagnostic scan.
Follow the instructions to fix any detected problems.
Tip: It’s a good idea to run this tool every few months or whenever you notice your printer acting up.
How to Download HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows 10 or 11
If you want to use the tool, here’s how to get it:
Go to support.hp.com.
Search “HP Print and Scan Doctor.”
Click the correct link for your Windows version.
Download the file.
Open and run it. Follow the instructions on the screen.
The file is small and installs in less than a minute. Once it opens, you’ll see a list of available printers. Choose yours and follow the steps.
Why People Trust HP Print and Scan Doctor
Many users in Nigeria and abroad like this tool because:
It saves time.
It fixes problems without calling for support.
It’s free and safe.
It supports most HP models (DeskJet, LaserJet, OfficeJet, ENVY).
If your office or home relies on printing every day, having this tool installed is a smart move.
How Often Should You Use It?
Use the tool:
When your printer refuses to print or scan.
After installing new ink but nothing works.
After Windows updates.
When the printer shows offline for no reason.
Even if everything seems fine, running it once a month can catch small problems early.
Expert Tips to Avoid Printer Issues
If you want your HP printer to work well and last longer, there are a few easy things you should always do.
1. Keep the Printer in One Place
Try not to move the printer around too much. When you shake or shift it often, the ink cartridges can shift or stop working properly. This may cause printing problems or waste your ink.
2. Use Only Original HP Ink
It’s better to use real HP ink cartridges. Some cheap or fake inks may seem like a good deal, but they can spoil your printer head and stop it from printing clearly.
3. Always Check for Updates
Your printer needs updates just like your phone or computer. Go to the HP website and check for the latest firmware updates. This helps your printer work better and fix small issues before they become big ones.
4. Use HP Print and Scan Doctor Often
Even when your printer seems fine, run the tool sometimes. It helps find and fix small problems before they stop you from printing.
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Manual Fix vs HP Print and Scan Doctor: Quick Comparison
| Method | Manual Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| Time Required | 1–3 hours |
| Easy for Beginners | No |
| Success Rate | Medium |
| Method | HP Print and Scan Doctor |
|---|---|
| Time Required | 10–15 minutes |
| Easy for Beginners | Yes |
| Success Rate | High |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HP Print and Scan Doctor do?
HP Print and Scan Doctor helps you fix problems with your HP printer or scanner. If your printer is not printing, showing offline, or can’t scan, this tool will check the issue and fix it for you. It works on Windows computers.
How do I fix my HP printer using HP Print and Scan Doctor?
To fix your HP printer:
Download HP Print and Scan Doctor from HP’s website.
Open the tool and select your printer.
Click “Start” to begin checking for problems.
Follow the steps on the screen to fix the issues.
It can fix errors like printer not found, scan not working, or printer offline.
Where can I download HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows 10 or 11?
You can download the tool from the official HP website:
Go to support.hp.com.
Search “HP Print and Scan Doctor.”
Click download and install it on your Windows 10 or 11 PC.
Always download it from the official HP site to avoid fake or harmful files.
Why is my HP printer not printing but connected?
If your HP printer is connected but not printing, it could be because:
The print job is stuck.
The driver is outdated.
The printer is showing offline.
There is a connection problem.
HP Print and Scan Doctor can check all these and fix the problem for you.
Can HP Print and Scan Doctor fix wireless connection issues?
Yes, it can. If your printer is not connecting to Wi-Fi or the PC can’t find it, the tool will check your network and help you reconnect. It will guide you through fixing settings or resetting the network connection.
Hope This Helps…
If your HP printer is giving you constant stress—just like our office printer—you’re not alone. Many of these issues are common. But instead of going in circles, downloading HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows 10 or 11 is one of the fastest ways to fix them.
This tool fixes problems like:
Printer not found
Scanner not working
Printer showing offline
Print jobs stuck in queue
Wi-Fi disconnection
Driver errors after updates
It saves time, reduces stress, and works better than guessing. Whether you use your printer at home, in school, or at work, this tool can keep things running smoothly.
Instead of waiting for a technician or replacing the printer, try this free solution. You might find out your printer is not the problem—it just needs a little help from HP’s best tool.