A printer attention acquired error is one of the most difficult devices to troubleshoot. They have become easy to install over the years, with the drivers installing automatically, but the drivers are only part of the installation process. You can install the correct drivers for a printer, but it may not work correctly.
Problems with printers manifest themselves in different ways; sometimes a printer appears offline even when turned on and connected, other times print jobs get stuck in the print queue, and sometimes the printer never enters its ready-to-print state.
Printer Attention Required
Printer problems can be hidden; you have no idea what’s wrong, or they may be manifesting as error messages on your screen.
If you are trying to print a document and you get the error “The printer requires your attention”, try the fixes below.
FIX (Step by Step): Printer Needs Your Attention Error
1. Hardware check
A hardware check is the first thing to do when you see the “The printer requires your attention” error. This normally means a panel is open, paper is missing or jammed, or something similar.
Check to see if the printer itself is flashing a message or light to indicate a problem. If you’re sure there’s no paper jam and you haven’t left a panel open, go through the printer’s manual and make sure it’s set up as expected. Try changing the port it is connected to.
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You’d be surprised that the smallest things can cause problems. Run these basic checks as well.
2. Check the ink cartridges
The error “The printer needs your attention” often displays when there is a problem with the ink cartridges.
- Ensure cartridges are full/reasonably full.
- Make sure the cartridge has been installed correctly.
- Make sure you remove the cartridge head cover after installing it.
- Make sure you are using genuine cartridges.
- Some printers may display an error if you have refilled the cartridge. Infill can get stuck, which is unfortunate, but also how some printer manufacturers make money.
- Try replacing the cartridges with new/different ones.
3. Print a test page
Print a test page from the printer.
- Disconnect the printer from the system.
- Look for a button on the printer or check its manual to learn how to print a test page.
- If the page does not print, the problem is with the printer, not Windows 10.
- If the page prints, the problem is with Windows 10.
4. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Run the Windows 10 Troubleshooter for Printers. If there is a problem with a service related to the printer, this troubleshooter will be able to fix them.
- Open the Settings app with the keyboard shortcut Win + I.
- Go to Update & Security.
- Select the Troubleshooting tab.
- Click Additional Troubleshooters.
- Select and run the printer troubleshooter.
- Apply all the fixes it recommends.
4. Restart the spooler service
The printer spooler service is an integral service that is required to complete a print job. If it is stuck or not working properly, it can lead to “The printer requires your attention” error.
- Press the keyboard shortcut Win + R to open the run box.
- In the run box, enter services.msc and press Enter.
- Find the Print Spooler service and right-click on it.
- Select the Restart option.
- Disconnect the printer and reconnect it.
- Try to print.
5. Uninstall and reinstall the printer
Printers usually install automatically, but the installation can go wrong. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer to fix the “The printer requires your attention” error.
- Open the Settings app with the keyboard shortcut Win + I.
- Go to Devices.
- Select the Printers & Scanners tab.
- Select the printer and click Remove Device.
- Once removed, disconnect the printer from the computer.
- Turn off the printer.
- Restart your Windows 10 system.
- Connect the printer again and let it install.
- Try to print.
Conclusion
Printer technology hasn’t improved much when it comes to printing from a desktop computer. A printer has all kinds of problems, but as long as the printer doesn’t have hardware issues, you can fix the problems by uninstalling and reinstalling it.