How to reset the HP printer?

Resetting an HP printer to factory settings is only necessary in exceptional cases. Resetting the printer can only help in the event of serious error messages or faults. Every printer manufacturer has a different approach. HP also has this option, although you should pay attention to a few special features.

Reset the HP printer

If you are looking for a way out of numerous error messages from your HP printer, you should perhaps think about resetting the printer. Most errors can be eliminated in this way. The only thing to note is that all settings that you have previously set up will be lost. Network connections or WLAN connectivity are also lost when resetting to the factory settings.

If the printer still does not work properly after a reset, there is probably a serious hardware problem. In this case, the printer is often simply broken. The most common need for a factory reset is to reset the internal counter to zero. Possible maintenance intervals that are actually not necessary can thus be avoided. However, the procedure differs from HP printer to HP printer. Unfortunately, a reset is also not described in the operating manual.

Use the HP printer control buttons

Some HP printers are equipped with a control panel and push buttons. In this case, you can reset the printer to factory settings in two different ways. If the HP printer no longer responds properly, you should first unplug the power cord and wait about 30 seconds. Then hold down the # and 3 keys while reconnecting the power cord. When the printer responds, both buttons should be released.

The second solution is to pull the power plug again while the printer is switched on. Now hold down the # and 6 keys. At the same time, the printer is supplied with power again. Keep the two buttons pressed until "Semi NVW Reset" appears on the printer display. If you now release the two buttons, a reliable printer reset takes place.

Reset HP printers with touchscreen displays

If the HP printer has a touchscreen display, you should first switch to the “Setup” menu item via the menu. Here you will usually also find the menu item “Restore factory settings”. After that, a reliable reset is performed. However, some HP printers do not offer such a menu item. The service menu has been specially hidden.

To get to the hidden menu, you have to click four times on the non-illuminated back arrow, which is located at the bottom left of the input field. The support menu will now appear on the screen. The right arrow forward button is used to scroll until the menu item "Reset Menu" is displayed. Then the factory settings can be reset. This procedure refers to the HP 8500 Pro, for example.

Not every HP printer has a reset function

Unfortunately, the popular HP laser printers of the LaserJet family do not have the option of performing a reset. After 50,000 printed pages, the laser printer must therefore be overhauled. However, a reset can still be performed to some extent using the HP Print and Scan Doctor software.