HP Printer Offline – 10 Working Fixes (Windows & Mac)

Introduction–

We know that the HP printer offline errors when you urgently need to print something. But no worry, this is a common issue among HP users. It usually happens due to connection issues, outdated driver issues, or incorrect settings in the Windows or Mac computer.

The good news is, you can fix it quickly with the correct steps. So let’s follow 10 proven solutions that would work for both Windows and Mac computers.

Understanding the HP Printer Offline Error

  • Printer Offline Means

When your computer or any device stops communicating with the printer, that means the printer would show you an offline status and stop printing anything. This might be due to a power outage sometime, outdated drivers, a network issue, or a settings issue.

Hp Printer Offline Fix

Symptoms

  1. The printer shows offline status or not connected
  2. Drivers Unavailable
  3. Printer Error 
  4. Nothing prints even though job appears in the queue
  5. Sometimes HP Smart shows offline status or error.

1. Check Physical Connections

Verify USB Cable

If you are using your printer with a USB cable, first you should check command connections.

  1. Check whether the USB cable is properly connected or not. If not, then unplug it and then plug it back in to restart both devices.
  2. You can also check whether the cable is loose or damaged.
  3. But sometimes you can restart both the printer and computer and try to print.
  4. A faulty cable instantly creates the offline issue too.

USB Connection

Reconfirm Power & Printer Status

Make sure the printer is turned on, has paper, and displays no error lights.

2. Restart Your Devices

  1. So first turn the printer and computer off for 30 sec then turn it back in.
  2. This often fixes temporary communication glitches.

3. Make Sure Printer Is Set as Default

Windows Steps

  1. Go to settings, then search for “Printer and Scanner.”
  2. Select your HP printer (or other printer).
  3. Right Click on that, then click on Manage.
  4. Then set as default.

Mac Steps

  1. First open your Mac’s settings, like System Preferences.
  2. Then click on “Printer and Scanner.”
  3. Choose the default menu from the printer.

4. Disable “Use Printer Offline” Mode

Windows Settings Fix

  1. First open the “control panel” from the settings.
  2. Check for Devices and Printers
  3. Choose your printer and remove that.
  4. After removing offline printer status and clicking on add device again.

Fix offline issue with the Hp Printer with window and Mac.

5. Check Network & Wi-Fi Connection

Check Your Router

  1. So to check the router what you need to do is check your router what light is flashing
  2. Turn the router off for 1 minute then.
  3. Turn the devices off too.
  4. After a minute, turn the router on
  5. And make sure that your Windows or Mac PC is connected with the same wifi network.

Check Printer Light

  1. Check which light is flashing on the printer
  2. If your Wi-Fi light keeps flashing, that means the printer is trying to communicate with the computer.
  3. If the wifi light is not flashing and it’s constant, then the printer is ready to print.
  4. If your online power light is constant, then 
  5. Press and hold the power button and Wi-Fi button together for 10 seconds.
  6. Then take the finger off.
  7. Then go to the printer and scanner and add your printer from there.

6. HP Smart App to repair common printing issues

  1. To install the Hp smart app in your computer
  2. First press the “Window icon on your computer screen.” (bottom left-hand side down on screen).
  3. Then search for “Microsoft Store.”
  4. Open the Microsoft Store and then search for “HP Smart App.”
  5. Click on the HP Smart app, then download it, and then open it.
  6. Once it opens, then add the printer.
  7.  And then follow the instructions to connect the printer.
  8. Open the app, click on the printer, and then click “diagnose and fix” from the printer menu.
  9. Then wait for it.

Then-open-the-app-and-then-the-bottom-left-hand-side (1)

7. Restart Spooler Service (Windows)

What Is a Spooler & What Does a Spooler Do?

Printer spoolers manage all the printer jobs. If your printer spooler stopped working, then your printer may show you “offline” or “error.”

Quick Spooler Restart Method

  1. First, in the window PC, you need to press and hold the window button and press “R.”
  2. Once they pressed it, then you would see “Run Search Box” on the bottom left of the computer screen.
  3. Type on the search box “Services.msc” the Press Enter
  4. You would see the list; in the list, find “Spooler.”
  5. Click on the spooler, then right-click on that, and then “restart” it.
  6. Then restart the computer and printer.

 8. Reset The Print

 

If it is still not working, then you can do the following steps and reset the printer.

  1. So first hold down the press on the power button (on/off button) for 5 sec on the printer.
  2. Then the printer is turned off now; wait for 30 seconds.
  3. Then turn the printer on
  4. Once the printer is on, press the Wi-Fi and red X buttons together for 10 seconds.
  5. Then you can follow the “HP Smart App” instructions. 

 

9. Add Printer Manually (Windows & Mac)

So let’s follow the instruction to set up any printer on wifi

If you have an HP Deskjet Printer Series 2600, 2700, or 2800.

  1. So first of all, hold and press the Wi-Fi and X buttons on the printer for 5-7 seconds.
  2. Then wait for 2-3 seconds.
  3. Then the WiFi light would be flashing 
  4. After that, open the HP Smart app on your device. (On Android Phone you can download it from “Play Store.”) On iPhone you can download it from the “App Store.”
  5. Once the Hp smart app is open, then 
  6. Click on Add Device
  7. Once you click on “Add Device,” then it will search for the printer on the app.
  8. Then follow the onscreen instruction.

 

10. Update Printer Firmware

Using HP Smart App

click-on-Diagnose-and-fix

Install the HP Smart app on Windows or macOS.
 Go to Printer Settings → Advanced → Firmware Update.

  1. Open the HP app, select your printer, and then choose Diagnose & Fix. You can also access it from the Printers menu or by scrolling to Diagnostics and selecting Diagnose and Fix.
  2. Firmware bugs often trigger offline errors—updating the firmware usually resolves them.
  3. Click Start and wait for the analysis to finish. Do not close the HP app while the troubleshooter is running.
  4. On the diagnostics results screen, follow the prompts to fix any issues that were detected

Conclusion.

 

The HP Printer Offline error can be annoying, especially when you need to print something quickly. Fortunately, most problems are simple to resolve using the steps listed above. Whether you’re on Windows or Mac, these 10 proven solutions will help you reconnect your printer and resume printing without delay.

 

FAQs

  1. Why does my HP printer keep going offline?
     This usually happens because of network problems, outdated drivers, or incorrect printer settings.
  2. How can I quickly bring my HP printer back online?
     Start by restarting both your printer and computer, then verify the connection settings.
  3. Does a VPN affect HP printer connectivity?
     Yes. VPNs can block access to local network devices, which may cause the printer to appear offline.

What if my HP printer is still offline even after updating the driver?
 Try restarting the Print Spooler on Windows or resetting the printing system on a Mac.

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