How to Reset Your Printer to Factory Settings?

A printer reset might be all it needs to snap back into working order. Whether it’s a stubborn inkjet or a grumpy laser printer, this guide will walk you through how to reset your printer the right way without complicated jargon, and without calling tech support.

Why Reset Your Printer in the First Place?

Before we jump into the how, let’s quickly touch on the why. A printer reset is like a fresh start. It can:

• Clear internal errors/printer not working

• Reset configuration settings

• Fix network or connectivity issues

• Resolve ink cartridge recognition problems

• Wipe out stuck print jobs or frozen status

Think of it like restarting your phone when it's acting weird. Same logic.

Types of Printer Resets

Not all resets are created equal. Depending on the issue, you might need one of these:

1. Soft Reset – The classic “turn it off and on again.” Great for minor glitches.

2. Hard Reset – Resets settings back to factory defaults.

3. Ink Cartridge Reset – Useful if your printer won’t recognize a new or refilled cartridge.

4. Network Reset – For when your printer’s lost its Wi-Fi mind.

We’ll walk through each of these with real-world, no-nonsense instructions.

1. How to Perform a Soft Reset on Your Printer

This is the easiest fix and surprisingly effective to solve printer not working issue.

Steps:

1. Power off your printer using the power button.

2. Unplug it from the wall.

3. Wait a solid 60 seconds.

4. Plug it back in and power it on.

Boom. Simple as that. This often clears temporary memory issues or software bugs that cause weird behavior.

2. How to Hard Reset Your Printer (Factory Reset)

A hard reset wipes your printer back to its out-of-the-box state. This is what you do when everything else fails.

Warning: You’ll lose all your saved settings, including Wi-Fi info and preferences.

For HP Printers:

• Go to the Setup menu.

• Navigate to Printer Maintenance or Service.

• Choose Restore or Restore Factory Defaults.

For Canon Printers:

• Hold down the Stop button until the alarm light flashes.

• Release the button after a certain number of flashes (depends on your model—check your manual).

• Or go to Setup > Device Settings > Reset Settings > Reset All.

For Epson Printers:

• Press the Home button.

• Navigate to Setup > Restore Default Settings.

• Choose the type of reset you want (Network, Copy Settings, or All Settings).

For Brother Printers:

• Press the Menu button.

• Use the arrow keys to find Initial Setup > Reset.

• Choose Factory Reset and confirm.

Every brand varies a bit, but you’ll generally find the option in the setup or settings menu. If in doubt, Google your model number + “factory reset.”

3. How to Reset Ink Cartridge Recognition

Ever replaced a cartridge only to have your printer scream “low ink”? Yeah, it’s annoying. Here’s how to fix that.

What to try:

• Remove the cartridge, wipe the copper contact with a lint-free cloth, and reinsert it.

• For Canon and HP, hold down the Resume or Stop button for 10 seconds to override the warning.

• If that fails, turn off the printer, unplug it, wait 60 seconds, then restart.

Still stuck? Some printers need a chip resetter—a small device that resets the cartridge’s internal chip. These are more common with refilled or third-party cartridges.

4. Network Reset: When Wi-Fi’s the Problem

Printers that keep dropping off your Wi-Fi? Infuriating. A network reset will clear saved Wi-Fi data and let you start fresh.

Steps (general):

• Go to your printer’s Setup menu.

• Look for Network Settings or Wireless Settings.

• Choose Restore Network Settings or Reset Network Settings.

• Reconnect your printer to your Wi-Fi using WPS or manual setup.

This solves most wireless printing issues, especially after you’ve changed your router or password.

Tips Before You Reset

• Print a test page before and after resetting. It helps you spot what changed.

• Update your printer drivers. Sometimes what looks like a printer problem is actually outdated software.

• Check for firmware updates. Many newer printers auto-update, but if yours doesn’t, you might need to manually download updates from the manufacturer’s website.

What If a Reset Doesn’t Fix the Issue?

If you've tried every type of reset and your printer still isn’t cooperating, it might be a deeper hardware issue. Here’s what you can try next:

• Check USB or wireless connection (a loose cable or spotty Wi-Fi can wreak havoc).

• Use the printer's diagnostic tool—most brands have built-in tests for alignment, print heads, etc.

• Reinstall printer drivers on your computer.

• Call in the warranty if it’s still covered.

Worst-case scenario? Time to evaluate if fixing it is worth it—or if you’re better off replacing it. Sometimes the fix costs more than a new printer. Sad but true.

Final Thoughts

In this article post, we have explained how to reset a smart WiFi printer to its factory settings. we have also provided the reasons why you should reset and solutions to avoid reset.