How to Get My HP Printer Back Online? (Beginner Points)

Is your HP printer displaying a “printer offline” error, and has it stopped working? It’s common. A printing showing offline means it’s not connected to the cables or network correctly, which is why it doesn’t get any commands from the computer and displays error messages. The common reasons behind this problem are connectivity issues, outdated printer drivers, incorrect printer drivers, and several others. You can resolve the printer offline problem if you know the troubleshooting methods.

In this blog, I’ll explain the best methods for resolving an offline issue. So, if you were wondering what’s suddenly happening with my printer, I’m here to assist you and get the printer back online. Read the blog to the end and see which method works best for your HP printer.

Fix 1: Check the HP Printer’s Connection

Your printer may be connected via a USB cable or a wireless connection. In both cases, an offline error is possible. Hence, check whether it’s securely connected to the USB or Ethernet cable or the WiFi. Sometimes, a weak internet connection can also bring this problem. Follow these steps to verify your printer’s connection and see if the offline error disappears.

1. Verify that the printer is securely connected to the USB cable or Ethernet cable.

2. Unplug the cables from the printer and the computer, and reconnect after a few minutes.

3. Run the internet speed test online to check if your internet connection is running at a good speed.

4. Check if the printer and computer are connected to the same WiFi network. If the printer is not connected to the same network as the computer, it may display an offline status.

After following these steps, if you still find the printer offline, move on to the next method.

Fix 2: Restart Your Printer and Computer

If your printer is showing as offline, it may be due to a minor technical issue with the printer or the computer. Therefore, you must restart both devices to resolve the issue and ensure they function properly. Follow these steps to restart both devices.

Step 1: Restart the Computer

1. Go to the Start menu on the computer’s taskbar at the bottom.

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

It will take a few seconds to restart the computer.

Step 2: Restart the HP Printer

1. Press the power button on the printer to turn it off, and let the lights turn off.

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

3. Wait for a few minutes, and reconnect the printer’s power cable to the wall outlet.

4. Lastly, press the power button to turn on the printer and activate the lights.

That’s it for restarting the devices. Check if the printer still shows an offline status. If yes, continue with the next method.

Fix 3: Update the HP Printer Drivers

Printer drivers play a crucial role in a printer’s functionality. They enable a printer to recognize the print commands from the computer. When the drivers are not of the latest version or are corrupted, it stops the printer from responding. Therefore, you need to update them from the official HP website. Use the steps below to update them correctly from the official website.

1. Navigate to support.hp.com on an internet browser.

2. Select Software and Drivers from the given options, and then select “Printer” as the product type.

3. Type your printer model name in the search bar and press Enter.

4. The website recognizes your operating system and shows a list of compatible printer drivers.

5. Click the Download button next to the HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software.

6. Let it download to your computer, and then locate the download location on your computer.

7. Locate the HP printer driver’s file, and double-click on it.

8. An installation bar will appear on the computer. Let it finish, and don’t shut down your computer during the installation.

Once the latest HP printer drivers are installed on your computer, it will communicate well with the printer. Check if the “printer offline” error has disappeared, and the printer has regained its functionality.

Fix 4: Restart the Print Spooler

The Print Spooler service is a built-in feature on Windows computers. It’s responsible for sending the print jobs to the printer in order. If this feature has any fault, the HP printer may show sudden functionality issues, such as going offline. Therefore, you should restart it to make it work again. Here are the steps to restart the Print Spooler service.

1. Search for Services in the search bar at the bottom of the computer’s screen.

2. Select and open it from the results, and locate the Print Spooler by scrolling down.

3. Right-click on Print Spooler and select Restart.

4. If the restart option is not working, click the Stop button, and click Start after a few seconds.

That’s how you can restart the Print Spooler service on the computer and resolve the printer offline issue.

   Frequently Asked Questions

Question

Why Is My HP Printer Offline All of a Sudden?

If your HP printer is offline, it may have lost its connection due to a cable or WiFi issue. Additionally, the HP printer drivers might be out of date, or the printer or computer may have some technical issues. In other cases, it could be due to a fault in the print spooler service. 

Question

How Does the Print Spooler Service Make My HP Printer Go Offline?

The Print Spooler service on the Windows computer manages print jobs and sends them to the printer. When it’s corrupted or experiencing conflicts, it stops sending print jobs to the printer. When the printer doesn’t receive any print jobs, it starts displaying the “printer offline” message. 

Question

How to Get an HP Printer from Offline to Online Status?

There are multiple troubleshooting methods to bring the offline HP printer back online. For example, you can start by checking the printer’s connection and then restarting both the printer and the computer. Additionally, you can update the HP printer drivers and restart the Print Spooler service on the PC. 

Source: How to Get My HP Printer Back Online