Each time a printer starts, it checks its sensors, moves the carriage or warms the fuser, and confirms its supplies. That initializing stage normally takes a minute or two. When the message or blinking lights carry on much longer, something is stopping those checks from finishing. New inkjets are the exception, since their first start can take a long time while ink is primed. This guide explains how long to wait, then looks at obstructions, supplies, connections, temperature and firmware, in that order.
What you might be seeing
- The screen shows Initializing or a logo for a long time
- The power light blinks without stopping after power-on
- The printer restarts and goes back to initializing
- Parts move briefly and then stop, but start-up never completes
Common causes
- First-time setup
- A new inkjet primes ink through its system on first start, which takes far longer than a normal start.
- Physical obstruction
- Packing material, paper scraps or objects stop parts reaching their home positions.
- Supply problems
- A missing, misplaced or unrecognized cartridge, drum or printhead holds up the checks.
- Accessory or network wait
- Some printers stall while reading an inserted USB drive or negotiating a network connection.
- Cold, damp or firmware trouble
- Condensation after a cold journey, or firmware damaged by an interrupted update, can stop start-up completing.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order and test a print after each one. Most people are done within the first few steps.
Unplug the printer before reaching inside, give a laser printer about 30 minutes to cool, and don't force the carriage or other moving parts.
Allow enough time
Wait at least 10 to 15 minutes before stepping in, and longer for a new inkjet on its first start, where priming can take considerably more time. Don't open doors or press buttons meanwhile. If the printer has just come in from the cold, such as a car in winter, switch it off and let it sit at room temperature for a couple of hours so condensation can evaporate.
Check for packing material and open doors
Turn the printer off and unplug it. Open all covers, lift the scanner lid, pull out the paper trays, and remove any tape, foam, clips or cardboard left from shipping, including inside the cartridge area. On a laser printer, let the fuser cool for about 30 minutes before reaching in. Close every door firmly, because an open-door sensor can stop start-up from completing.
Look for obstructions
With the printer still unplugged, use a flashlight to look along the paper path and around the carriage for paper scraps, clips or other objects, and remove them gently by hand. On an inkjet, check that the carriage is free to move as the user guide describes, but never force it. Pull out the paper trays and check the empty slots for anything that fell in.
Reseat every supply
Take out each ink cartridge, printhead, toner or drum unit, confirm all protective tape and clips are gone, and reinstall it in its correct slot until it clicks or locks. Make sure no slot is empty, since many inkjets won't finish initializing with a cartridge missing. If a cartridge was just replaced, try the previous one if you still have it, to rule out a faulty new one.
Start without cables or drives
Disconnect the USB and Ethernet cables and remove any USB flash drive or memory card. Connect power directly to a wall outlet or surge protector, then turn the printer on. If it now finishes initializing, reconnect one item at a time to find the culprit. A damaged file on a drive or a network conflict can hold up start-up on some models.
Drain power for longer
Turn the printer off, unplug it, and leave it unplugged for five minutes, which clears temporary memory more thoroughly than a quick restart. If it has a separate external power adapter, unplug that from the wall too. Reconnect power, switch on, and wait without touching anything until start-up either completes or clearly stalls at the same point again.
Try firmware recovery
If the problem began after a firmware update, or a power cut during one, look up your model's recovery procedure on the manufacturer's official support pages. Some printers enter a recovery or download mode that accepts firmware from the official update utility over USB. Use only that tool and the firmware for your exact model, and keep the power steady throughout.
How to keep it from happening again
- Turn the printer off with its button so it shuts down properly
- Let the printer reach room temperature after cold-weather moves
- Remove USB drives when you've finished with them
- Leave old cartridges in place until replacements are ready
Common questions
How long should a new printer take to initialize?
A new inkjet can spend a long time on its first start, sometimes well over ten minutes, while it fills the ink system and runs alignment. Later starts are much quicker. The setup guide in the box usually gives an estimate. Don't switch it off during first-time setup, as that can waste ink and restart the process.
Why is my printer stuck initializing after I changed the ink?
The printer checks every cartridge at start-up. One with tape still on it, in the wrong slot, not clicked in, or with dirty contacts can stall the check. Reseat it, clean its metal contacts lightly with a dry, lint-free cloth, and restart the printer.
Can a cold room really stop a printer starting?
Yes. Very low temperatures thicken ink and make moving parts sluggish, and carrying a cold printer into a warm room can leave condensation on the electronics. Let it reach room temperature for a couple of hours before switching it on, and keep it away from drafty windows and unheated spaces.
This guide is general information written for common home and office printers. Menus and button names vary between models, so check your printer’s manual where a step differs. Printer Problems Solved is independent and not affiliated with any printer manufacturer. See our disclaimer.