How to Get My HP Printer Back Online​? (Full Guide)

An HP Printer going offline means it’s no longer connected to a device or a network. Imagine sending an important document to your printer, only to find it showing an offline status - this is known as an 'offline printer error'. It can occur for various reasons, such as outdated printer drivers, connection issues, an overloaded 'print queue', or incorrect printer settings. This problem is common among HP users, but it can be fixed easily using a few troubleshooting methods discussed below.

Solution 1: Check Your Printer and Network Connections

Your HP printer may go offline if it’s not securely connected to a USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi network. The network may be weak, or cables may be loosely connected. Hence, before moving on to the advanced methods, let’s check the printer’s connection.

1. Check if the USB or Ethernet cable is well connected to the printer. Unplug and replug the cables to the ports.

2. If using a USB cable, try a different USB port on the printer.

3. If you are using a Wi-Fi network, then confirm that the printer is properly linked to the wireless network.

4. Additionally, check your internet speed by running an online speed test on your computer.

If you find the cables damaged or broken, replace them with new ones. Then try to use your printer.

Solution 2: Restart the Printer and Wireless Router

If you’re using a Wi-Fi connection, restarting the Wi-Fi router and printer can bring your HP printer back online. Restarting helps clear temporary glitches in the device.

Step 1: Restart the Wi-Fi Router

1. Disconnect your router’s power cable from the main power supply on the wall outlet.

2. After 30 seconds, reconnect the cable to the wall power supply.

Step 2: Restart the HP Printer

1. Disconnect your printer’s power cable from the main power switch on the wall outlet.

2. Press the Power button on your printer until the light turns off.

3. After 30 seconds, reconnect the printer’s power cable to the power switch on the wall.

4. Press and hold the power button on the printer to turn it on, and then release it when the power light starts to flash.

Solution 3: Update or Reinstall Your HP Printer Drivers

Printer drivers are necessary software that allows a printer to communicate with the device, such as a computer. They help the printer and computer communicate properly. If they aren’t up to date, the printer won’t recognize the print commands and won’t print. In this situation, you must reinstall the printer drivers using these steps.

1. Visit support.hp.com on an internet browser and select the Software and Drivers option at the top.

2. Select printer as your product type, and type your printer model name in the search bar.

3. Now, select a driver or software package, and click the Download button next to it.

4. Let the drivers download to your computer.

5. Visit the Downloads folder on your computer, and double-click on the driver’s file.

6. The system will ask you to run the file; select Yes.

Finally, let the installation process begin and finish.

Solution 4: Run Diagnose and Fix From HP App

There is a tool in the HP app known as Diagnose and Fix for Windows and Mac. This tool can identify and resolve the common issues that cause your printer to be offline. Here are the steps to run this tool.

1. Go to the 123.hp.com website, download the HP Smart App, and complete the on-screen steps.

2. After that, open the application and select your printer from the given list.

3. Find the Diagnose & Fix icon on the app’s homepage, or you can find it under the diagnostics section.

4. Click on Start to start the diagnostic process. Don’t close the app during this process.

Solution 5: Change the Printer’s Status From Offline to Online

If you set the HP printer offline on the computer, it won’t recognize any print commands. Therefore, you need to set it online using these steps.

1. Click the Start button on the computer’s taskbar at the bottom, and search for Settings.

2. From the sidebar, select Bluetooth & Devices, and then select Printers & Scanners.

3. After that, you have to select your printer’s name and click the Open Queue option.

4. Click “Printer” on the next window and see if “Use Printer Offline” is selected.

5. Uncheck this option to set the printer online again.

That is how you can change the printer’s status from offline to online.

    Frequently Asked Questions

Question

How Do I Resolve Issues With My Offline HP Printer?

Learn "how to fix an offline printer", check its wired or wireless connections, restart both the printer and the connected device, set the printer online on the computer, and reinstall the printer drivers. Additionally, you can run diagnostics and make repairs through the HP Smart app.

Question

What Does Offline Status on HP Printer Indicate?

An offline printer indicates that it can’t connect to a computer or a device to print. In this scenario, the printer displays an 'offline' status. If your printer is connected to Wi-Fi, its Wi-Fi light may suddenly turn off.

Question

What Makes My HP Printer Go Offline?

Several factors can cause your printer to go offline, including connection issues, out-of-date printer drivers, incorrect printer settings, and the printer being set to offline mode on the computer. 

Source: How to Get My HP Printer Back Online