Why Your HP Printer Is Offline and How to Fix It

 HP printer goes offline when people use it for a prolonged time. This problem means your system cannot communicate with the HP printing machine. The primary causes for the offline status are outdated drivers, operating systems, or loose cable connections. This error occurs with various connected printers. But resolving it is not very difficult. You just need to follow the instructions for different techniques. 

 

If you are wondering why my HP printer is offline, read this article. Here you will uncover different resolutions so your printer comes back online.

 

Troubleshooting HP Printer Offline Issue

Here are various techniques you can use to fix this issue. Pick one according to what you think is the cause of the error.

1. Set your printer as the default machine.

If your printer isn’t set as the default device, it cannot take the print commands from your PC. So, set it as default with these steps.

• On your Windows PC, navigate to ‘Devices.’

• Here, choose the ‘Printers & Scanners’ option.

• Remove the tick from the box beside ‘Let Windows manage my default printer.’

• From the list, tap on your HP printer.

• Choose the printer version that is showing online or idle.

• Tap ‘Manage’ followed by ‘Set as default.’

 

2. Find if there is a paper jam

A paper jam is a leading cause for offline error. So, if you are still asking why is my HP printer offline, check for a paper jam.

 

• Turn on the printer.

• See whether the physical connections are all accurate. 

• Examine the cable connections.

• Now reconnect them to ensure good connectivity. 

• Peek inside the printing machine for paper jams.

• If you find bits of paper stuck, clear them.

• It is also the correct time to look for the ink cartridge failure message.

• Examine the ink levels inside the cartridges and remove those low or empty of ink.

• Finally, ensure that your PC and the printing machine are linked to a single Wi-Fi network. 

 

3. Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor

Sometimes, none of the measures prove to be effective. If this happens, use the latest version of the HP Print and Scan Doctor software. 

 

• Install this software from the official HP website.

• After that, run the HPPSdr.exe file from the downloaded section on your computer.

• Open the Print and Scan Doctor utility.

• Choose the problematic HP printer. 

• Tap ‘Retry’ if the printer does not show on your system.

• Now, go by the guidelines that the software shows.

• Turn on the printer updates if prompted.

• You should also configure the printer as default.

• Now, print a document.

 

4. Find out if the printer employs a WSD port

You can also check the printer port as well as the Windows Services Status (WSD). 

 

• On the control panel, tap ‘View Devices and Printers.’

• Find your HP printer, right-tap it, and pick the ‘Printer Properties’ option.

• Tap the ‘Ports’ tab.

• You do not need to do anything else if your printer doesn’t use the WSD port.

• If it does, go to the Services window.

• Locate the ‘Function Discover Provider Host’ service and ‘Function Discovery Resource Publication’ service.

• Examine their Status and Startup columns.

• They must be running. The startup type should be automatic.

• If you find them black, right-click it and choose ‘Properties.’

• Now, modify the startup type.

• Hit ‘Start’ followed by ‘OK.’

• Navigate to the ‘Devices and Printers’ window.

• Press ‘F5.’

• Now, tap your HP printer and see if it is online.

 

Wrapping up

These measures will make your HP printer online from offline. Ensure that your printer is the default machine and check for a paper jam. You can employ the HP Print and Scan Doctor if you are uncertain about the cause.