HP Printers are known to be some of the most reliable printers on the market. However, even the most reliable printers occasionally have problems. By far, the most common issue encountered with HP printers is the dreaded “offline” status: when your printer is on but it is not coming up as a viable printing option on your computer or device.
Luckily, not only is this one of the most common
issues encountered by HP printer owners, but it is also one of the easiest to
solve. This article outlines the steps you can take to get your HP printer back
online and communicating with your printer.
The Meaning
Behind the “Printer Offline” Error Message
The “HP Printer Offline”
error message is one of the most common errors received with HP Printers. If
you receive this message, it can be frustrating, but it is nothing to fear. An
offline printer doesn’t mean that your printer is broken; it simply means that
your printer is not communicating with your device.
Your HP printer may be
offline for a number of reasons, including a setting error, connection
issues, or outdated drivers or software. Luckily, all of these issues can be
solved with some easy troubleshooting steps.
Simple Solutions
for Getting Your HP Printer Back Online
Most of our readers are faced with the common
question, “How do I switch my HP Printer from
offline to online?” Here are some top tips & tricks to consider.
Start with
the Basics: Cables and Cartridges
This may seem like an obvious step, but it is often
the one we overlook. Before you try anything else, make sure all of your
printer’s cables and cartridges are properly installed and in good working
condition. Check to ensure that all of your cables and power cords are properly
connected and, if applicable, that your Ethernet cord is attached to an active
Ethernet port. If you have any doubts, try connecting cords to different
sockets or using different cords to ensure they are not the source of the
issue.
Examine the printer for physical malfunctions that
would prevent you from printing. Make sure the printer cartridges are properly
installed, as misalignment can keep the printer from working. Double-check that
there are no paper jams and that the printer has paper in the input tray.
Turn on the
Printer and Connect to Wi-Fi
Once your printer is on, use the printer control panel
to identify the Wi-Fi. From the control panel, select the network settings
function and press “Confirm Network Settings.” This will show you the current
status of your printer’s internet connection. Make sure that your computer and
printer are both connected to the same Wi-Fi.
Restart
your Printer and Computer
To restart your printer, turn off the printer and
unplug it from the power source. Wait thirty seconds, then plug your printer
back in and turn it back on. This process is known as “power cycling” and can
help your printer resolve issues itself.
Once your printer and computer are both back online,
once again confirm that they are both connected to the same Wi-Fi.
Set Your
Printer as the Default Printer
The default printer is the printer that your computer
will prioritize when choosing a printing device. If your computer is busy
attempting to connect to another printer that is not currently online, it may
have difficulty finding your HP printer.
To manually
set your HP printer as the default printer with Windows:
1. Click
on the “Start” button on your computer and select “Control Panel” from the
list.
2. In
the window that appears, select “Devices and Printers” (or the equivalent menu
option).
3. Select
your HP printer from the resulting window, and then select “Open Queue.”
4. Under
the “printer” drop-down, select “Set as Default Printer.”
To manually
set your printer as the default printer with MacOS:
·
In the “Apple” menu, click “System
Preferences” and select “Print & Scan.”
·
Click “Default Printer,” then
select your HP printer as the default printer option.
Clear the
Printer Queue
Most people notice that their printer is not connected
when they attempt to print a document. If you’re like me, you may even try to
print that same document 4-5 times before realizing that your HP printer is
offline. This printer queue can make it difficult for the printer to
resolve the issue. Cancelling print jobs will allow your printer and computer
to focus solely on re-establishing their connection.
To cancel
print jobs on Windows:
1. Click
on the “Start” button on your computer and select “Control Panel” from the
list.
2. In
the window that appears, select “Devices and Printers” (or the equivalent menu
option).
3. Right-click
on your HP printer’s icon and select “See What’s Printing.”
4. Right-click
each print job and select “Cancel.”
To cancel
print jobs on MacOS.
·
In the “Apple” menu, click “System
Preferences” and select “Print & Scan.”
·
Click on your HP printer and select
“Open Print Queue.”
·
Click on each print job and select
“Cancel.”
Advanced
Solutions for Getting Your HP Printer Back Online
If the simple solutions above are not enough to get your HP printer
back online, you may have a driver or software issue. If that’s the case,
these next solutions will help you reinstall your printer and return it to
online mode.
Remove and
Reinstall Printer
Removing and reinstalling your printer on your device
will allow the connection between your computer and printer to once again start
from scratch.
To remove and reinstall a printer with Windows:
1. Click
on the “Start” button on your computer and select “Control Panel” from the
list.
2. In
the window that appears, select “Devices and Printers” (or the equivalent menu
option).
3. Right-click
on your HP printer and select “Remove device.”
4. To
reinstall the printer, click “Add a Printer” on the “Devices and Printers”
window and follow the prompts.
To manually set your printer as the default printer
with MacOS:
·
In the “Apple” menu, click “System
Preferences” and select “Print & Scan.”
·
Right-click anywhere in the “Print
& Scan” window and select “Reset Printing System.” This will clear any
errors, print jobs, and printer preferences from your computer.
·
Once the reset is complete, select
“Add Printer or Scanner” and select your printer. Follow the subsequent prompts
to reinstall your printer.
Run HP
Print and Scan Doctor
HP provides free printer troubleshooting for Windows
customers through their “HP Print and Scan Doctor” program. If the solutions
above do not resolve your printer’s offline status, download the “HP Print and
Scan Doctor” and follow the program prompts:
To use the “HP Print and Scan Doctor” with Windows:
1. Download
the “HP Print and Scan Doctor” from your computer.
2. Once
the program downloads, open the downloaded application (called HPPSdr.exe) by
allowing it to run.
3. A
window will appear. If asked if you trust the file, selected “Yes.” From the
“HP Print and Scan Doctor” window, click “Start.”
4. Choose
your printer from the subsequent page. If your printer does not appear, restart
your printer and select “Retry” on the “HP Print and Scan Doctor” window.
5. Follow
the prompts from the “HP Print and Scan Doctor.”
Unfortunately, there is not an “HP Print and Scan
Doctor” for macOS users at this time.
Install the
Latest Printer Driver
Most HP Printers will require the latest driver to
work successfully. If your printer is an older model, it may no longer have the
latest driver. To download drivers for your printer:
·
Go to the HP Support Software and
Drivers Download
·
Select your printer by either
entering the name in the search bar and clicking “Submit” or finding it in the
list of printers below.
·
Select the driver you wish to
install. If there are multiple driver options available, select the driver that
is responsible for “solutions.”
·
Once the driver has downloaded,
double-click the file to begin the installation.
·
Once the driver has been installed,
follow the steps above to remove and reinstall your printer.
Confirm HP
Printer Port and Windows Services Status
The final solution is to see if your printer uses a
WSD port. To check the status of your port:
·
Click on the “Start” button on your
computer and select “Control Panel” from the list.
·
In the window that appears, select
“Devices and Printers” (or the equivalent menu option).
·
Right-click your printer and select
“Printer Properties.”
·
Click the “Ports” tab and see if
your printer uses a WSD Port.
If your
printer uses a WSD Port, follow these steps:
·
In the search bar of your computer,
search for the “Services” application.
·
In the “Services” pop-up, find
“Function Discovery Provider Host” and “Function Discovery Resource
Publication.” Scroll to the left and confirm that the “Status” of both services
is “running” and the “Start-up” is “automatic.”
·
If they do not say “running” and
“automatic,” right-click the name and select “Properties.”
·
Change the start-up type to
“automatic” and click “Okay.”
If you are still not able to get your printer online,
it may be time for professional help. HP Printer Support is available 24/7 to
assist with additional troubleshooting.
For more useful printing techniques and tips, check
out “Why is My HP
Printer Offline?” or visit our homepage https://printersetuphelp.us
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