How to Fix HP Printer Printing Only First Page from PDF? – Complete Troubleshooting Guide

If your HP printer is printing only the first page from a PDF file, you’re not alone. This is a common issue faced by many users, especially when printing multi-page PDF documents from browsers or PDF readers. The problem can be related to printer settings, outdated drivers, print spooler errors, or PDF software conflicts.

Why Is My HP Printer Printing Only the First Page from PDF?

There are several reasons why your HP printer may stop after printing the first page:

Incorrect print settings
Corrupted PDF file
Outdated or incompatible printer driver
Print spooler errors
HP Smart app configuration issue
Firmware needing an update
Printer memory limitations

Identifying the root cause will help you apply the correct solution.

Check Print Settings in PDF Reader

Before making technical changes, verify your print settings.

Steps to Fix:

Open your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Click File > Print.
Under “Pages to Print,” select:
- All Pages
- Not “Current Page”
Check if “Print as Image” is enabled (try toggling it).
Click Print.

Sometimes, browser-based PDF viewers (like Chrome) only print the first page due to rendering issues. Try downloading the PDF and printing from Adobe Reader instead.

Restart HP Printer and Computer

A simple restart can resolve temporary system glitches.

Turn off your HP printer.
Unplug it from power for 60 seconds.
Restart your computer.
Plug the printer back in and power it on.
Try printing again.

Update HP Printer Drivers

Outdated drivers are one of the main causes of incomplete PDF printing.

How to Download and Install HP Printer Drivers:

Go to your computer’s browser.
Search for your HP printer model driver.
Download the latest compatible driver.
Open the downloaded file.
Follow on-screen instructions to install.
Restart your computer.

After updating, test print a multi-page PDF file.

Reinstall HP Printer Software

If updating doesn’t work, reinstalling may fix corrupted files.

Steps:

Open Control Panel.
Click “Programs and Features.”
Uninstall HP printer software.
Restart your computer.
Download the latest version.
Install and complete setup.

Clear Print Spooler Service

Sometimes, print jobs get stuck in the queue.

How to Clear Print Queue:

Press Windows + R.
Type services.msc and press Enter.
Locate Print Spooler.
Right-click and select Stop.
Open File Explorer.
Navigate to: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
Delete all files inside.
Go back to Services.
Right-click Print Spooler.
Click Start.

Try printing again.

Login to HP Smart Account

HP Smart login ensures your printer is properly registered and synced.

Steps to Login:

Open HP Smart app.
Click Sign In.
Enter your registered email and password.
Connect your printer.

Logging in helps manage printer updates and cloud printing features.

HP Printer Signup Process

If you don’t have an account:

Open HP Smart.
Click Create Account.
Enter name, email, and password.
Verify email.
Add your printer model.

Creating an account allows you to access firmware updates and customer service.

Activate HP Printer After Installation

After installing drivers:

Open HP Smart.
Click Add Printer.
Select your printer from the list.
Complete setup.
Print a test page.

Activation ensures the printer communicates properly with your device.

Update HP Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause partial printing.

Steps to Update:

Open HP Smart.
Select your printer.
Go to Advanced Settings.
Click Printer Updates.
Install available updates.

Firmware updates improve performance and fix known bugs.

HP Printer Not Working Properly? Advanced Troubleshooting

If the issue persists:

1. Try Printing as Image

In Adobe Print Settings:

Click Advanced
Check Print as Image
Click OK and Print

2. Save PDF Again

Open PDF
Click Save As
Save a new copy
Print new file

3. Check Paper Size Settings

Ensure:

Printer paper size matches PDF page size.
No scaling errors.

4. Reset HP Printer

Turn printer ON.
Disconnect power cord.
Wait 60 seconds.
Reconnect and power ON.

HP Customer Support and Service Options

If none of the solutions work:

Contact HP Customer Support.
Use HP Smart app support section.
Schedule printer servicing.
Check warranty status.

Professional service may be required if there is internal memory or hardware failure.

Common Causes Specific to PDF Files

Large image-heavy PDFs exceed printer memory.
Encrypted PDF files.
Corrupted download.
Browser PDF viewer limitations.

Always test with a different PDF to confirm.

Benefits of Fixing the Issue Properly

Saves paper and ink.
Prevents print queue errors.
Improves printer lifespan.
Ensures smooth multi-page document printing.
Avoids repeated troubleshooting.

Conclusion

If your HP printer prints only the first page from a PDF, the issue is usually related to driver problems, print settings, spooler errors, or outdated firmware. By checking PDF settings, updating drivers, clearing the print spooler, reinstalling software, and ensuring proper login and activation through HP Smart, you can quickly resolve the problem.