Technology

How to fix a PCL XL error

Occasionally, HP printers can have a problem known as a PCL XL error. The PCL XL error appears to make certain documents impossible to print. It can occur intermittently or with every print request. Fixing it is key to getting the printer working properly again.

Different types of PCL XL errors

This type of error indicates an interruption in the print flow – for some reason the printer sees the flow as corrupt. PCL XL refers to a “language” the computer uses to communicate with the printer. The HP forums describe it as “highly structured”, which is why the printer will detect any small disturbances and prevent it from doing its job.

If the user only experiences these errors intermittently or seemingly randomly, the error is most likely somewhere between the computer and the printer. Anything from a bad cable to a bad network to a bad port could cause a PCL XL error. Possibly the printer itself is to blame.

If the error is more regular or occurs every time a document is printed, the cause is most likely a problem with the driver. Drivers are the programs that allow the computer to communicate with the printer. These can be difficult to fix.

Various Ways To Fix PCL XL Error

Various activities can create problems with drivers. Changes to the networks or the drivers themselves can trigger these errors. Unfortunately, staying on top of Microsoft’s update can also lead to a driver error if one of the updates changes the driver. Try locating the printer disk and reinstalling the drivers or going to the manufacturer’s website to download them.

Sometimes computers have been configured using universal drivers to communicate with the printer, and the printer seems to have more problems. Find and download the exact drivers for the printer you are using.

Another option that works well for some machines is to disable some additional printing features:

1. In the program you are working with, click Line, later Print, later Properties, and finally Advanced.

2. Uncheck the “Advanced Print Features” option.

3. Disable “Printing Optimizations”.

This does not necessarily fix the error itself, but allows printing to continue without seeing the error message.

Driver errors can be registry errors

Drivers communicate with printers through the registry, as this is how the computer catalogs these various background files. If a registry entry related to the connection between the printer and the computer has been corrupted, the user may see an error. Investigate using a registry cleaner to correct a PCL XL error and run the printer again.

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