- Access the print queue on your computer and manually clear any stuck print jobs that might be causing the issue.
- Ensure you have the latest printer drivers installed. If not, update them or reinstall the drivers to resolve compatibility issues.
- Use your computer’s built-in printer troubleshooter tool to detect and fix common printer problems.
Preliminary Fixes
- Check Printer Connection : You should first try power cycling both your computer and printer. Refreshing the connection between your devices may solve this problem much quicker than you had anticipated.
- Check Pages and Ink : If your printer has run out of pages or ink, you may receive the ‘documents are waiting’ error. You should refill the ink or add more pages to your printer for a smooth operation.
- Check your Printer Status : Ensure your printer’s status is not set to offline. This will make the printer undetectable for your computer. As a result, your PC won’t be able to communicate with the printer.
Fix 1: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Step 1: Navigate to Settings . Then, open the System and select Troubleshooters .
Step 2: Select Other troubleshooter . Now, Run the printer troubleshooter from the following menu and follow the on-screen instructions.
If the troubleshooter cannot solve your problem, try restarting the Print Spooler service.
Fix 2: Restart the Print Spooler
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open a new Run window.
Step 2: Then, type services.msc and press Enter .
It opens the services menu.
Step 3: Scroll down to Print Spooler .
Step 4: Right-click on the service and select Stop .
The service should no longer be running now.
Step 5: Now, launch File Explorer and go to the following path.
C:\Windows\System32\spool\printers
Step 6: Delete the content of the folder. By doing that, you’ll delete the printing queue.
Note : Don’t delete the folder itself.
Step 7: Restart your computer.
Step 8: Go back to Print Spooler and restart the service.
Step 9: Set the Startup Type to Automatic .
If the steps above are too complicated, complete the same task from the Command Prompt menu.
Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt as admin.
Step 2: Run these commands and press Enter after each one.
net stop spooler
del /Q %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.*
net start spooler
Check if the error is gone. If this doesn’t resolve, check out the next fix.
Fix 3: Reinstall the Printer Drivers
If your print drivers got corrupted, are missing, or are running outdated drivers, you may not print your documents. That’s why you need to update your drivers. Or reinstall them if they get corrupted.
Step 1: Launch the Device Manager . Then, go to Print Queues and expand the list.
Step 2: Select Update driver and check if the problem is gone.
If it persists, select Uninstall device to remove your current print drivers. Restart your computer. Your device will automatically install the latest print drivers.
Check if your printer still says documents are waiting to be printed.
Fix 4: Remove and Add Your Printer
If nothing worked, maybe re-adding your printer to your computer will do the trick. It’s a handy way to fix the printer ‘documents waiting’ error.
Step 1: Head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners menu.
Step 2: Select your preferred printer.
You can check the printer’s details. You can run the troubleshooter from the same menu too.
Step 3: Click Remove .
Now, go back and select Add device . Once Windows detects your printer, click Add device .
You may need to cancel documents waiting to print and try again.
If the printing error only appears while using Google Chrome , check our dedicated guide to troubleshoot it. Before you rush to the nearest store to print your documents and files, use the tricks above to fix the problem.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for the info Mivi Roam 2
- Access the print queue on your computer and manually clear any stuck print jobs that might be causing the issue.
- Ensure you have the latest printer drivers installed. If not, update them or reinstall the drivers to resolve compatibility issues.
- Use your computer’s built-in printer troubleshooter tool to detect and fix common printer problems.
Preliminary Fixes
- Check Printer Connection : You should first try power cycling both your computer and printer. Refreshing the connection between your devices may solve this problem much quicker than you had anticipated.
- Check Pages and Ink : If your printer has run out of pages or ink, you may receive the ‘documents are waiting’ error. You should refill the ink or add more pages to your printer for a smooth operation.
- Check your Printer Status : Ensure your printer’s status is not set to offline. This will make the printer undetectable for your computer. As a result, your PC won’t be able to communicate with the printer.
Fix 1: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Step 1: Navigate to Settings . Then, open the System and select Troubleshooters .
Step 2: Select Other troubleshooter . Now, Run the printer troubleshooter from the following menu and follow the on-screen instructions.
If the troubleshooter cannot solve your problem, try restarting the Print Spooler service.
Fix 2: Restart the Print Spooler
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open a new Run window.
Step 2: Then, type services.msc and press Enter .
It opens the services menu.
Step 3: Scroll down to Print Spooler .
Step 4: Right-click on the service and select Stop .
The service should no longer be running now.
Step 5: Now, launch File Explorer and go to the following path.
C:\Windows\System32\spool\printers
Step 6: Delete the content of the folder. By doing that, you’ll delete the printing queue.
Note : Don’t delete the folder itself.
Step 7: Restart your computer.
Step 8: Go back to Print Spooler and restart the service.
Step 9: Set the Startup Type to Automatic .
If the steps above are too complicated, complete the same task from the Command Prompt menu.
Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt as admin.
Step 2: Run these commands and press Enter after each one.
net stop spooler
del /Q %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.*
net start spooler
Check if the error is gone. If this doesn’t resolve, check out the next fix.
Fix 3: Reinstall the Printer Drivers
If your print drivers got corrupted, are missing, or are running outdated drivers, you may not print your documents. That’s why you need to update your drivers. Or reinstall them if they get corrupted.
Step 1: Launch the Device Manager . Then, go to Print Queues and expand the list.
Step 2: Select Update driver and check if the problem is gone.
If it persists, select Uninstall device to remove your current print drivers. Restart your computer. Your device will automatically install the latest print drivers.
Check if your printer still says documents are waiting to be printed.
Fix 4: Remove and Add Your Printer
If nothing worked, maybe re-adding your printer to your computer will do the trick. It’s a handy way to fix the printer ‘documents waiting’ error.
Step 1: Head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners menu.
Step 2: Select your preferred printer.
You can check the printer’s details. You can run the troubleshooter from the same menu too.
Step 3: Click Remove .
Now, go back and select Add device . Once Windows detects your printer, click Add device .
You may need to cancel documents waiting to print and try again.
If the printing error only appears while using Google Chrome , check our dedicated guide to troubleshoot it. Before you rush to the nearest store to print your documents and files, use the tricks above to fix the problem.
Was this helpful?
The HP DeskJet 2600 is an excellent entry-level All-in-One printer . It lets you print and scan without the hassle of connecting the printer to your computer via a cord. Also, the printing speed is quite decent for the price. But the lack of a touch screen can prove to be quite challenging for new owners.
Thankfully, the HP DeskJet 2600 has pretty nifty tricks up its sleeves when it comes to scanning documents efficiently. So, whether you want a physical copy or want to send the document to a phone or a computer, it can be accomplished effortlessly.
The best thing about it is once you place the document on the scanner the rest of the job can be handled seamlessly through your phone or PC.
In this post today, we will see two ways to get scanned copies easily on your phone and computer from your new HP DeskJet 2600 All-in-One printer.
Method 1: Scan Documents to Your Computer
Step 1 : Before we get down to the actual process, make sure you have the necessary drivers installed on your system. If you haven’t installed it yet, visit the link below to download it and install it like any other .exe file.
Download Drivers
After your PC extracts the files, you’ll be prompted to choose your connection options. I chose Wireless.
That will start the printer discovery mode. Once your PC discovers the printer, select it and click Next.
Step 2 : After the setup process completes, open Settings (Windows key + I) and search for Printers. Select Printer & scanners from the menu and click on the Add a printer or scanner button to well, add the new printer.
At this point, make sure that both the PC and the printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network . Once the scan is complete, the DeskJet 2600 printer will be visible on the menu.
As soon as you click on the Add Device button, you’ll see a Launch App window (or an Open Printer App button).
Step 3: Click on the button, and the HP Smart app will open right up. The key advantage of this app is it gives a visual representation of the ink level of the printer cartridges.
Apart from that, you’ll find a host of options like Print documents, Scan and Print Photos, among others.
Step 4 : Click on Scan, and you’ll see a variety of options on your screen. Here you can choose the Output Type (Color or Gray), Resolution (the highest being 1200dpi) and the Compression levels (Medium, High and Low).
After making changes, click on the Scan button at the lower-right corner to start the scan.
Step 5: Once the scan is complete, you drag the handles to make any alteration to the scanned document. Now, all you have to do is tap on Apply > Save, and ta-da! Say hello to your first scanned document on your new HP DeskJet 2600.
You can also attach additional pages to the same document by clicking on the Add Pages button at the upper-left corner.
Method 2. Scan Documents to Your Phone (iOS and Android)
The HP DeskJet 2600 also lets you send scanned copies of documents to your iPhone and Android. The setup process is simple and is as easy as a walk in the park.
Here also, the same rule applies. Both devices should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The HP Smart app makes it possible.
Download HP Smart for Android
Download HP Smart for iOS
Both the apps are almost similar in terms of features and settings. However, the iOS app has a slightly different interface and a few extra features.
Step 1 : Open the app and select the Scan to Email tab. iOS users can choose Scan.
Compared to the PC app, you won’t find features like choosing the DPI and the Compression levels. You do get to choose the paper size.
Step 2 : Now, all you have to do is tap on Scan, and the printer will start the job.
iOS users can tap on the big blue icon at the bottom ribbon. Once your system transfers the scanned copy, you can either choose to save a JPG or PDF copy directly or edit it further.
Step 3 : To edit the copy, tap on the Edit icon at the upper-right corner. iOS users can hit the Edit button. Once you’ve made all the changes, tap on the Save button.
Android users will find the file automatically saved to the HP Smart folder under Documents.
iOS users would need to explicitly tap on the Save to Files button on the Share Sheet and select the folder location manually.
Get the Most out of the HP DeskJet 2600 Printer
We live in a paperless world where nearly all of our transactions and transfers are digitized. However, as you might already know, this doesn’t hold true for all files and documents. Whether it’s a small receipt or a rental agreement, there are times when you need to scan a document, and a scanner is the most obvious solution.
So, the next time you end up in a situation like this, follow our guide, get the app and scan away.
Next up: Are you looking for CamScanner alternatives? The following post has some of the best options for you.
Was this helpful?
I tried all those suggestions they didn’t work.
- Set the connected printer as default from Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Set as default, and retry printing your file.
- Rollback the recently installed Windows Update from Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
Basic Fixes
- Reconnect printer : If you’re using a wired printer, its loose USB connection to your PC may result in ‘Printer not activated (Error Code 30)’. Replug the printer and replace its cable if it is worn out.
- Update the USB drivers : Obsolete USB drivers can create printer connectivity issues. Head to the Device Manager app, expand ‘Universal Serial Bus controllers’, right-click the buggy USB port, and select Update driver.
- Use the HP Smart app to connect the printer : If your Windows 11 PC doesn’t detect your HP printer , install the HP Smart app from the Microsoft Store, and use it to configure printer settings.
- Update Windows : Press the Windows + I shortcut to open Settings, select Windows Update from the left sidebar, and install available system updates.
Fix 1: Set the Connected Printer as Default
If your preferred printer isn’t set as default, you may run into the ‘Printer not activated, error code-30’ issue on Windows. Ensure your printer has adequate paper and ink and use the following steps to set it as a default printer:
Step 1: Open Windows Settings using the Windows + I shortcut, select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar, and click Printers & scanners .
Step 2: Select your preferred office or home printer.
Step 3: Ensure the Printer status isn’t Offline and click Set as default to assign it as a default printer for all printing operations.
Tip: If the Printer status is labeled ‘Offline’, check its power source and try reconnecting it to your PC.
Fix 2: Reinstall Printer Drivers
Corrupt printer drivers can cause unusual printing errors. To fix this, first remove the printer from Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, and re-plug the printer. Then, reinstall the printer drivers using the Device Manager app to restore normalcy.
Step 1: Press the Windows + X shortcut to open the Power User Menu, and select Device Manager .
Step 2: Expand Software devices , right-click your printer, and select Uninstall device . Restart your PC and let Windows 11 automatically install compatible printer drivers.
Fix 3: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Do you still face the ‘Printer not activated (Error Code 30)’ message while printing a PDF on Windows 11? Running the in-built printer troubleshooter should fix it in no time.
Step 1: Select Printers & scanners under Windows settings (check the above steps), and click your connected printer.
Step 2: Select Run the troubleshooter and wait a few seconds to let it resolve the issue.
Fix 4: Tweak Permission Settings on a Program
If you face the ‘Printer not activated, error code-30’ in a specific app, give it full control over your PC to print files and documents seamlessly.
Step 1: Right-click the app icon and select Show more options .
Step 2: Select Properties from the right-click context menu to open it.
Step 3: Open the Security tab and click Edit .
Step 4: Enable the Allow checkmark beside Full control and click Apply followed by OK to save changes.
Fix 5: Rollback the Recent Windows Update
Lastly, a buggy Windows Update can malfunction your connected printer showing the ‘Printer not activated (Error Code 30)’ message while initiating a new print. To fix it, rollback the recent Windows Update using these easy steps:
Step 1: Press the Windows key, search Uninstall updates , and click it to open the system settings.
Step 2: Locate the recently installed Windows Update using the ‘Installed on’ timestamp, and click Uninstall to remove it. Select Uninstall when prompted to confirm the action.
Was this helpful?
- Use Task Manager to restart the Print Spooler service.
- Remove recent Windows updates if the error began after an update.
- Modify the Windows Registry to disable Print Spooler RPC Encryption.
1. Restart the Printer Spooler From the Task Manager
Step 1 : Press the Windows key, type Task Manager , and click Open .
Step 2 : Under Process Name, scroll down, find Spooler SubSytem App , and expand the process by clicking the chevron (arrow) icon .
Step 3 : Right-click on the Print Spooler , and choose Open Services .
After opening the Services, return to the Task Manager.
Step 4 : Right-click on the Print Spooler once more and select Stop to end the process.
Once it has been stopped, it will be removed from the Task Manager. Finally, go back to the Services tab .
Step 5 : In the Services tab, scroll down, find Print Spooler , and right-click on it.
Step 6 : From the context menu, choose Start .
After that, you should be able to connect your Windows machine to the Printer without problems. If this method didn’t fix the error, move on to the next one.
Also Read : How to fix printer driver is unavailable error on Windows 11
2. Update your Windows Machine
Step 1 : Press the Windows key, type Settings , and click Open .
Step 2 : In the Settings window, go to Windows Update .
Step 3 : On the right pane, click the Check for updates button.
You may receive a prompt to download the Windows update. After downloading, the update will install automatically, and you’ll receive a prompt to restart your Windows PC.
3. Uninstall Recent Windows Updates
Step 1 : Press the Windows key, type Control Panel , and click Open .
Step 2 : In the Control Panel window, click Programs and Features .
Step 3 : Under Uninstall or change a program, click on View installed updates .
You will be taken to Windows Settings, where you can uninstall the updates.
Step 4 : View and click on the Windows Update you want to uninstall.
Using the latest security updates should resolve any issues relating to errors on shared printers or any other problems associated with being unable to access the Printer. If this method doesn’t work, maybe the next one will.
Also Read : Ways to fix printer not showing up on Mac
4. Manually Add the Printer Using Its IP Address
Step 1 : Press the Windows key, type Settings , and click Open .
Step 2 : In the Settings window, navigate to Bluetooth & devices .
Step 3 : Under Bluetooth & devices, scroll down and click on Printer & scanners .
Step 4 : Click on the Printer that is causing the issue.
Step 5 : On the next screen, remove the Printer from your Windows machine.
With this, the issue causing your Printer will be removed from your PC, and you will be returned to the Printers & scanners page. Now, it’s time to add it back. Continue with the below steps.
Step 6 : Click Add device .
Step 7 : Windows searches for the Printer connected via the intranet or locally. If Windows is unable to find it, click Add manually .
Step 8 : In the Add Printer window, select any one of the options you prefer.
For demonstration, we go with Add a printer using an IP address or hostname and click Next .
Step 9 : Now, choose the device type, type the Printer’s hostname or IP address , and click Next .
That’s it. Windows will look for the Printer with the IP or hostname in your local network and add it to your machine. This should resolve the errors if it doesn’t check out the next and final method.
5. Disable Print Spooler RPC Encryption Using Windows Registry
Step 1 : Open the Start menu, type Registry Editor , and click Run as administrator .
In the prompt, select Yes .
Step 2 : In the top address bar, enter the mentioned address and hit Enter .
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print
Step 3 : Under the Print folder, right-click, select New , and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value .
Step 4 : Type RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled in the name field.
Step 5 : Double-click the new value, type 0 in the Value Data field, and press OK .
Finally, reboot the system to implement the changes. And that’s it! Any issues relating to the printer error should be resolved upon booting up your PC again.
Yes, corrupted or outdated printer drivers are a common cause of this error. It’s recommended to update or reinstall the printer drivers to resolve the issue.
If the error continues to occur, you may need to seek help from the printer manufacturer’s support or a professional technician who can diagnose and resolve the issue.
Now that you know how to fix printer error 0x0000011b on Windows, you can easily tackle printer errors related to a problematic printer driver, printer spooler service, or connectivity problems.
