To factory reset most HP printers, open Advanced Settings in the HP app, go to the Settings or System tab, and choose Restore Factory Defaults under Restore Defaults. Many models can also restore from the touchscreen or with a button combination, covered below.
The short version
- A factory reset restores printer settings. Remove the printer from your HP account and transfer or cancel Instant Ink as separate steps.
- Match the reset menu or button combination to your printer model.
- For a printer error, try the power reset or Diagnose & Fix before restoring settings.
- For a lost Wi-Fi connection, restore network settings and add the printer again within two hours.
- Clear a stuck computer print queue before resetting the printer.
| Method | What it does | Time | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen factory reset | Restores printer settings | A few minutes | You want factory defaults |
| HP app or browser reset | Restores settings through EWS | A few minutes | Advanced settings are accessible |
| DeskJet or ENVY button reset | Restores factory defaults | About 30 seconds | Your model supports these buttons |
| Power reset | Restarts after a power disconnect | About two minutes | The printer has an error |
| Diagnose & Fix | Checks common printing problems | Under a minute to start | A Windows PC or Mac cannot print |
| Wi-Fi reset | Restarts wireless setup | About a minute before setup | The network connection is lost |
| Re-add in the HP app | Refreshes the app entry | A few minutes | App setup or connection fails |
| Clear the computer queue | Removes blocked print jobs | A few minutes | Documents remain pending |
Restore factory settings on the touchscreen
On a LaserJet Pro with a white touchscreen, swipe the tab at the top of the Home screen down to open the Dashboard, then touch Setup. Open Printer Maintenance > Restore > Restore Factory Defaults, and the printer restarts automatically.
LaserJet Pro models with a black touchscreen use Setup > Service > Restore Defaults > OK instead. Either route also deletes pages stored in printer memory, so print anything you need to keep first.
For a printer with the Utilities interface, start at Home > Menu, scroll to Utilities, and select Tools > Maintenance > Restore Settings. Choose Restore all factory defaults and follow the screen prompts; HP+ printers using this interface need registration again with the HP account used for the original setup. If your touchscreen matches none of these layouts, use the HP app or browser restore below, which works on most HP printers.
Restore factory settings through the HP app or browser
The HP app's Advanced Settings opens the printer's Embedded Web Server, or EWS. You can also reach this settings page in a browser while the printer and your device are on the same network.
Open advanced settings in the HP app
In the HP app, select your printer and click Advanced Settings. If it is not visible, scroll to Printer Settings > View All > Advanced Settings, then open the Settings or System tab.
Open the printer settings in a browser
For the browser route, find the printer's IP address in the app under Network Information. An alternative layout uses Product Information > More information and reports > Network; type that IP address into your browser's address bar to open EWS. On a touchscreen printer, Wireless Summary or Network Settings also shows the IP address.
Sign in and restore factory defaults
If prompted, use the PIN from the printer label by default, usually inside the cartridge access area or printer door. On LaserJets that request a username, enter admin by default, then choose Submit or OK; if you changed the login credentials, use those instead.
Under Restore Defaults, choose Restore Factory Defaults or Factory. Click Restore Factory Defaults > Yes; LaserJets showing the service menu use Service > Restore defaults > OK instead.
The printer normally restarts after about 20 seconds, and you may need to reconnect it to Wi-Fi. If the advanced settings cannot be reached, use the supported control panel reset for your model.
Use the DeskJet or ENVY button reset
On supported DeskJet and ENVY printers, open the cartridge access door and hold Power and Wireless together for at least three seconds. Wait about 20 seconds, then close the cartridge access door.
These are factory reset steps for most DeskJet and ENVY models with the required controls. If your printer lacks these buttons, use the HP app or browser restore above instead.
Try a power reset for printer errors
A power reset is a troubleshooting restart, so start here when an error or frozen printer is the problem. If the printer has a removable rechargeable battery, remove it before continuing.
Press Power to switch off the printer; if it does not turn off, disconnect its power cord. Unplug the cord from the power source and wait 60 seconds.
Connect the cord directly to a wall outlet and to the printer, then turn it on. Try using the printer again before moving to a network reset or restoring factory settings.
Run Diagnose and Fix for printing problems
On a Windows PC or Mac, Diagnose & Fix can clear stuck jobs, resolve spooler errors, and reconnect an offline printer when possible. It requires a compatible HP printer and Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or macOS 12 or later.
Open the HP app, select your printer, and click Diagnose & Fix. Other layouts use Printers > Diagnose & Fix or Diagnostics > Diagnose and Fix.
Choose Start and leave the app open until the analysis finishes. Follow the results screen's instructions for any problems found before trying another reset.
Restore wireless setup mode when the connection is lost
Use the touchscreen network settings
Use a network reset when the printer loses its connection or cannot be found during wireless setup. On most touchscreen printers, open Setup or Wireless, choose Network setup or Settings, then select Restore Network Settings and confirm with Yes if asked.
Use the buttons for your printer model
On most inkjet printers without a touchscreen, hold Wireless and Cancel for five seconds or until the wireless indicator blinks. For DeskJet 2700 to 2900, 4100 to 4300, Ultra 4800, and 4900 models, press Cancel first, then hold Wireless and Cancel together for five seconds until Power starts blinking.
For DeskJet Plus 6000 and 6400, ENVY 6000, 6000e, 6400e, and Pro 6400, hold the rear Wireless button for five seconds instead. Wait for the status light to turn purple; on Tango, hold the rear Wi-Fi button for five seconds and wait for a blue pulsing status light.
LaserJet and Smart Tank button sequences differ, so check your model's section in HP's wireless setup instructions before pressing buttons. Match the instructions to the full model name on your printer.
Reconnect through the HP app
Allow about 60 seconds for the setup indication on models that use a blinking blue wireless light. Return to the HP app and add the printer within two hours; for the complete reconnection steps, follow connecting an HP printer without a screen to Wi-Fi.
If the setup window expires before you finish, restore Wi-Fi setup mode again and restart the app setup. Use the same button sequence or touchscreen menu that applies to your model.
Remove and add the printer again in the HP app
If app setup or connection errors continue, remove the printer's app entry and add it again. First make sure the printer is on the same network as your device or connected by USB, then close and reopen the app.
In the current HP app, select the printer, scroll to the bottom, and choose Remove from app. In the older HP Smart layout, right-click the printer and choose Hide Printer, then choose Hide Printer again.
Select Add Printer and complete the setup prompts. Removing this entry is an app troubleshooting step, so use the factory reset controls above if your goal is to restore the printer's settings.
Clear a stuck print queue on your computer
Windows
On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, and choose Open print queue. Use the three-dot menu's Cancel all command to remove pending jobs, or right-click individual jobs and choose Cancel.
On Windows 10, the path is Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Select the printer, choose Open queue, then right-click each stuck job and choose Cancel.
If jobs remain stuck, press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find Print Spooler, right-click it, and choose Restart.
Mac
On a Mac with Print Center, open it from Applications > Utilities and select the affected printer. Select the blocked job and click Delete Job, then try printing again.
If deleting jobs does not help, recreate that printer's queue. Select it in the sidebar, choose Printer > Remove Printer, then choose Printer > Add Printer and complete setup again.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I remove an Instant Ink printer from my HP account?
Wait until the final Instant Ink billing cycle is complete before removing an enrolled printer from your account. If you cancel but want to keep printing afterward, replace the Instant Ink cartridges with retail cartridges; for an inkjet, these steps cover installing ink cartridges in an HP printer.
Will a factory reset clear my HP printer's administrator password?
Not always, because password recovery depends on the model. HP's general LaserJet Pro reset instructions say the EWS password is retained, so check your model's password recovery instructions before relying on a factory reset.
Should I use HP Print and Scan Doctor to fix printing problems?
No, HP retired Print and Scan Doctor on May 27, 2025. Use Diagnose & Fix in the HP app as its replacement.
Does resetting the Mac printing system affect other printers?
Yes, Reset Printing System removes all printers, completed job information, and printer presets. You must add your printers again afterward, so try clearing or recreating only the affected queue first.
How do I cancel Instant Ink before selling the printer?
Sign in to your Instant Ink account, then open HP Instant Ink > Update Plan and scroll to Plan Details. Choose Cancel Instant Ink and follow the cancellation prompts, then wait for the final billing cycle before removing the printer from your HP account.
Will a factory reset cancel Instant Ink or remove my HP account?
No, HP lists canceling Instant Ink and removing the printer from your HP account as separate steps from restoring factory defaults. After the final billing cycle, sign in to the HP Smart account dashboard and open Printers > Printer Options for your printer. Choose Remove Printer or Manage Printer Settings > Remove Printer, then confirm with Remove.