Printer Stuck in Self Test Loop? Here's the Real Fix

I know this one's a pain

Your printer spits out page after page of that self test pattern. You've tried turning it off and on again. Maybe even unplugged it. Nothing works. I've seen this hundreds of times in my help desk days. Here's what's really going on and how to stop it.

The quick fix (works 90% of the time)

1. Turn the printer off completely. Unplug it from the wall. Wait 30 seconds.
2. Hold down the Cancel button. Usually it's the red X or a circle with a line through it. Don't let go.
3. Plug the printer back in while still holding Cancel. Keep holding it for 10 seconds after the lights come on.
4. Let go. The printer should now be in normal mode. No more self test pages.

If that doesn't work, try the same trick but with the Paper Feed or Resume button instead. Some HP models use that one.

Real example: On a 2021 HP OfficeJet Pro 9015, holding the Resume button while powering on clears the self test loop every single time.

Why this works

Printers have a hidden "factory test mode" they enter when a button gets stuck during startup. Think of it like your phone's safe mode. The printer thinks you're trying to run diagnostics. Holding the right button during power-on tells the printer to exit that mode and go back to normal.

The most common cause? A piece of paper or debris jammed under the Cancel button. Or you accidentally pushed it while plugging the printer in. Either way, the printer thinks the button is pressed and loads the test routine.

When that doesn't work — the real cause

Sometimes the loop isn't a stuck button. It's corrupted firmware or driver data. Here's what I've seen cause this:

• Driver corruption after a Windows update. Windows 10 version 22H2 had a known bug that messed up USB printer drivers. If you updated recently, that's likely it.
• A bad print spooler file. A stuck job in the queue can make the printer think it needs to run self checks.
• Firmware update that failed halfway. This is rare but nasty.

Fix for corrupted drivers

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start, select it).
2. Find your printer under Print queues or Imaging devices.
3. Right-click it and select Uninstall device. Check "Delete the driver software for this device" if you see it.
4. Restart your computer. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

If you're on a network printer, also run this command as admin to clear the print spooler:

net stop spooler
del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\* /q
net start spooler

This wipes out any stuck print jobs that might be triggering the self test.

Less common variations

It's the paper sensor

On some Canon Pixma models (MG3620, TS6320), a tiny piece of torn paper can lodge in the back paper path. The printer thinks paper is still feeding and runs the self test repeatedly. Open the back panel, shine a flashlight, and look for paper fragments. Use tweezers to pull them out.

It's a third-party ink cartridge

Epson printers, especially the EcoTank series, sometimes loop self tests when they detect a non-genuine ink cartridge. The fix: remove all cartridges, power cycle the printer (unplug for 60 seconds), then reinstall only genuine Epson cartridges. I've seen this happen with remanufactured cartridges from certain brands.

It's the firmware update itself

If you recently updated the printer's firmware and the loop started right after, you might be stuck. In that case:

• Check the manufacturer's support site for a firmware rollback tool. Some HP printers let you download older firmware.
• If not, try a factory reset: hold the Wi-Fi and Cancel buttons for 10 seconds while the printer is on. This resets network settings but sometimes fixes firmware issues too.

Prevention — keep it from coming back

1. Don't stack things on top of your printer. I've seen books, papers, even coffee cups press down on buttons over time.
2. Clean the buttons monthly. Use a cotton swab with a tiny drop of isopropyl alcohol. Gently clean around each button. Sticky residue from drinks or food can keep buttons pressed.
3. Always use genuine ink cartridges. Third-party ones can trigger self test loops on newer printers. I know they're expensive, but the headaches aren't worth it.
4. Update firmware only when you have a reason. If your printer works fine, don't update. The old rule "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies here.
5. Turn the printer off properly. Don't just yank the power cord. Use the power button. Sudden power loss can corrupt firmware and cause these loops.

One last thing

If you've tried everything here and the printer still cycles self tests, it's probably a hardware failure. The mainboard or the button circuit has gone bad. At that point, compare the cost of a repair to buying a new printer. A basic inkjet runs about $50 these days. A repair often costs more than that.

But honestly, in my six years running a help desk blog, this button trick worked for about 8 out of 10 people. Try it first. You'll probably be fine.