The Best Fixes for the HP Printer Offline Error

 The HP printer offline problem occurs when your system cannot communicate with your printer. This happens most commonly due to obsolete printer drivers, an outdated operating system, or loose cable connections. Although the problem is very common, printer users struggle quite a lot to resolve it. If you’ve been trying to make your HP printer come back online again, this post will prove immensely useful. Keep reading to understand the methods that will bring your printer back online so you resume printing. 

 

Fixes for the HP Printer Offline Issue

Use these practical resolutions to troubleshoot the connection between your HP printer and computer. 

Disable the printer offline setting

If your printer has the offline setting enabled, you will inevitably run into this problem. So, check and disable this setting by following these steps.

 

• Access the Settings window by hitting the Windows and I keys.
• Once there, select ‘Devices.’
• Now, tap ‘Printers & Scanners.’
• Choose your HP printer. 
• Tap it and select ‘Open queue.’
• Tap ‘Printer’ in the next screen and remove the check from the ‘Use printer offline’ option.

Make a manual IP connection

If you still complain about why is my HP printer offline, try creating a manual IP connection. 

 

• Go to the ‘Network Settings’ and print a network configuration page. 
• Below your network connection type, find whether the network status shows Connected or not.
• If it shows Not Connected, link the printer to your network. 
• Now, locate the Subnet Mask, IP Address, and Default Gateway for your connection type.
• Now, locate the URL for the embedded web server. 
• Access the Embedded Web Server URL on your browser.
• Once there, tap the ‘Network/Networking’ tab.
• Launch the ‘Wired/Wireless’ menu.
• Now, tap ‘IPv4 Configuration.’
• Tap ‘Manual IP’ followed by ‘Suggest a manual IP address.’
• Now, configure the Subnet Mask, IP Address, and the Default Gateway number as per the Network Configuration page. 
• Finally, tap ‘Apply’ and wait till the new settings are confirmed.

Link your Windows system to a TCP/IP port

Once you set a manual IP address, add a printer port to the system that matches this address. After doing so, you will no longer face the HP printer offline issue. 

 

• Look for the ‘Printers & Scanners’ option on the Windows system.
• Next, tap your printer’s name and choose ‘Manage.’
• After that, hit ‘Printer Properties.’
• Tap the ‘Ports’ tab.
• Click ‘Add port.’
• Pick ‘Standard TCP/IP port’ and hit ‘New Port.’
• Give the IP address of the printer and tap ‘Next.’
• Choose the new IP port from the list and hit ‘OK.’
• Now give a printing command.

Examine the cable or wireless connection

Examine the cable if you’ve connected your printer directly to your system. It should not be broken and have a firm connection with the computer. Replace the cable if it looks crushed or if it doesn’t attach to the USB port on your printer or computer.

 

In the case of a wireless HP printer, check that it is linked to the same Wi-Fi network as the system. Refresh the wireless connection by first disconnecting it and then reconnecting to the network.

Set your HP printer as the default printer

A simple trick to bring an HP printer online from offline is setting it as the default printing device. Go to the ‘Printers & Scanners’ setting on your system. Tap on your printing device and pick ‘Open Queue.’ After that, tap ‘Printer’ and select ‘Set as default printer.’

 

Final Words

You can easily resolve the HP printer offline problem by troubleshooting the connection in various ways. After following these instructions, you will no longer struggle to change the status of your printer. Contact a reliable printer technical expert for more troubleshooting assistance.