While using HP printers, customers most often face HP Printer offline issues, and this further trouble them in printing their documents. Hence, resolving it becomes a very essential task. If you are also facing such a condition in your printer, then don’t worry here you will get to know about the causes of this error as well as the solutions to fix it.
Reasons When HP Printer Goes Offline
If your HP Printer continuously goes offline again and again it means there could be a reason behind it. And, we have mentioned the most common reasons below;
- Weak or broken connection
- HP printer is not set as the default
- HP printer is set on offline mode
- Outdated or removed printer drivers
- Stopped Printer Spooler
Now you know the possible reasons behind this HP printer error. Let’s proceed toward the fixes.
Solutions For HP Printer Offline Issue
Whenever you don’t get print or are unable to use an HP printer due to an offline issue, always make sure that your printer and computer are connected and switched on. If you check that your printer is on then check the network connection. Weak or broken connection of printer with a computer or with a network cause this issue.
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Stable Connection:
To enable the connection first switch off your printer for 25 to 30 seconds and then switch it on. Try making a stable connection either wired or wireless whichever method your printer utilizes. If this doesn’t work you can follow the below points.
- For Wired Connection:
If your computer uses a wired connection then make sure that your computer and printer are well connected. Check if the wire is not broken or you can replace the wire with a new one if the old one is not working. Also, ensure that your printer is well-connected to the network. The LAN cable should be connected properly or you can check by changing the port.
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For Wireless Connection:
If your HP printer utilizes a wireless connection then make sure your computer and printer both are connected to the same network. You can also disconnect and then re-connect your printer with the network to make a connection again.
After checking the connection, hopefully, your printer starts working. But if not then you can perform the next solution.
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Make HP Printer Default Printer
When using an HP printer ensure that your printer is set as the default printer. If it is not then it will surely show offline status or won’t print. With the below-given troubleshooting steps make your HP printer online.
- Press the Windows key and R key simultaneously to the open Run box.
- Now type Control Panel and press OK.
- Select Drives and Printers.
- In the Devices and Printers window, you will see your HP printer.
- Right-click on your HP printer and check if it is set as the default printer.
- If not, then in the drop-down menu select the “Set as default printer” option.
Now you have set your printer as the default printer, it will start working and vanish the offline issue.
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Remove The Printer From Offline Mode
If your printer is set to the offline mode it won’t work. Hence, you need to make sure it is not in offline mode and you can do this by following the below steps.
- Press the Windows key and R key simultaneously to open the Run box.
- Now type Control Panel and press OK.
- Select Drives and Printers.
- In the Devices and Printers window, you will see your HP printer.
- If your printer is offline it will show under the HP printer icon on the screen.
- Now, right-click and select Use printer online.
Your HP printer is no more in offline mode, now it has come back online.
If your HP printer is offline due to some other reason and not due to offline mode settings, then even after performing this solution you won’t be able to use your HP printer. Maybe outdated drivers are the reason, and if it is so then jump to the next solution.
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Update Outdated Printer Drivers
When you do not update your drivers on time, the HP printer always shows an offline error. Even if your drivers get corrupted, it will also make you face problems while using the printer. You can follow the below points to update or reinstall the printer drivers on your Windows.
- Go to the Windows search box and type Device Manager.
- Open the Device Manager and expand the selection where it says ‘Printers’.
- Now in this section search your printer’s model number and right-click.
- Select the Update Driver option.
- Next press on the ‘search automatically’ option and wait until your printer completes the updating process.
- Once the process is done, restart your computer.
If you want to reinstall your drivers then uninstall the existing one and go to HP Printer’s official website to download the drivers and install them. Thereafter, restart your computer and try printing.
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Reset Printer Spooler Settings
When the printer spooler is stopped, your HP Printer goes offline. To fix this follow the below steps,
- First of all, open the Run box by pressing the Windows key and R key on your keyboard simultaneously.
- Now type “Service.msc” and click OK.
- From the listed items below search Printer Spooler.
- Right-click on it and choose Stop.
- Click on the address bar from the ‘Windows File Explorer and then type, C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printer and click OK.
- Clear the printing queue by deleting all the files.
- Now again go to Printer Spooler and right-click. Select Start.
- Restart your computer.
This will start your printer spooler service again and your HP Printer offline complaint will be gone.
All the above-mentioned solutions are worth trying, they will help you in bringing your HP Printer online. And, once your HP printer is online then you can print your documents again. However, if this HP Printer offline issue is still there and troubling you, take help from experts. HP Printer support experts are always there for you to help.
If you don’t want your HP Printer to face the offline issue again, then keep updating drivers on time, keep your printer queue clear even low ink can also cause this issue so keep the ink cartridge filled.
