How Do I Get My HP Printer Back Online? (Full Guide)

Is your HP printer displaying an ‘offline’ error message on its screen? If yes, it might not be responding to your print commands. It’s common to encounter an offline error on an HP printer. Since it’s a machine, it may get technical troubles easily and cause errors. An offline error on the HP printer means that it has lost connection with the network or the device. As a result, it stops responding to the print jobs, and the WiFi light on the printer may also start blinking. It’s an indication that the printer is no longer connected to a wireless network.

However, it’s not important that the printer will go offline only if it’s connected to a wireless network. Even if it’s connected to a USB or Ethernet connection, an offline error is possible. The question is, how will you resolve this? I will address this question in this blog, and help you troubleshoot this problem in the minimum time.

Reasons for the HP printer to go offline

There are multiple reasons for an HP printer to go offline, such as:

• Connectivity issues

• Technical glitches in the printer or computer

• Outdated or corrupted printer drivers

By working on these reasons, you can easily fix an offline HP printer. Check the methods below to fix the problem and start printing again with your printer.

Solution 1: Verify the Printer’s Connection

The most common reason behind a printer going offline is its unstable connection. Therefore, you must ensure that it is securely connected to the network and to the device, like a computer. Follow these steps to check the USB, Ethernet, and WiFi connections.

1. Check if the printer is connected to the USB or Ethernet cable securely.

2. Unplug the cable from the devices, and then reconnect after a few minutes.

3. Check if the internet connection is good by running an internet speed test.

4. Confirm that the HP printer and device are connected to the same network.

5. If the wireless connection is weak, restart the router by disconnecting it from the power switch and then reconnecting it after a minute.

Whether it’s a USB, Ethernet, or a wireless connection, confirm that it has been set correctly.

Solution 2: Restart the Printer and Computer

When a minor technical issue occurs with the printer or computer, it may display an offline status. In this situation, you should restart both of them to resolve the issue. Sometimes, these small troubleshooting methods work.

Step 1: Restart the Computer

1. Click the Start button on the computer at the bottom.

2. Select the power button and select the Restart button.

Step 2: Restart the Printer

1. Press the power button on the printer to turn it off until the power light turns off.

2. Disconnect the power cable of the printer from the main switch on the wall.

3. Wait for a minute or two, and then reconnect the printer to the power switch.

4. Press the power button on the printer to turn it on until the power light turns on.

See if the printer is back online again. If not, there must be something else causing the problem. Move on to the next method.

Solution 3: Update the HP Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers are a big reason behind an offline printer. Therefore, updating the drivers can resolve the error easily. However, uninstalling the old drivers is also important to prevent them from interfering with the printer’s function. Use these steps to uninstall the old drivers and install the new drivers.

Step 1: Uninstall the Old HP Drivers

1. Go to the Start on the bottom taskbar of the computer and search for Settings.

2. Select Apps and then select Apps & Features.

3. Locate your HP Printer Software in the list, and click the three dots.

4. Finally, select the Uninstall option.

Step 2: Install the Latest HP Printer Drivers

1. Visit support.hp.com on an internet browser and select Software & Drivers.

2. Select printer as your product type and enter your printer model in the given search bar.

3. Now, a new window will appear displaying the HP printer drivers.

4. Hit the Download option to download the driver file on your computer.

5. Visit the Downloads folder on the computer, locate the file, and double-click on it.

6. When a new window asks you to install the file, confirm and let it run.

That’s how you can get the latest version of HP printer drivers and get the printer back online.

   Frequently Asked Questions

Question

What Does an Offline HP Printer Mean?

An offline HP printer indicates that the printer has lost its connection with the wireless network or the cables. The error usually occurs when cables are loose or the internet connection is weak. As a result, the printer stops responding to the print commands and shows “offline” status on its display. 

Question

Why Does My HP Printer Go Offline?

There could be several reasons for your HP printer to go offline, including technical glitches in the printer or computer, out-of-date printer drivers, or minor connectivity issues. Besides, a number of other factors could be involved in making an HP printer go offline. 

Question

How Do I Get My HP Printer Back Online?

To get the HP printer back online, you can check its connectivity, uninstall and reinstall its printer drivers, restart the printer, computer, and wireless router. Mostly, the printer goes offline due to connectivity issues. Hence, check if the printer is securely connected. 

Source: How Do I Get My HP Printer Back Online