Why is my HP printer offline?

An offline printer shows that the printer is unable to receive the printing command which indicates poor or no communication between the devices. This situation requires instant troubleshooting else you can make the issue more complex by performing several actions. Some of the common reasons why a printer shows the offline status can be -

  • Use of Outdated drivers
  • The improper connection between the devices and the power source
  • Improper printer settings and much more

However, it is important to identify the root cause of the problem before you move to the troubleshooting part. As every problem can be resolve with a different style of approach. Wondering how do I switch my hp printer from offline to online? Here’s how it is done.

How do I switch my HP printer offline to online?

There are many ways to fix the issue. It totally depends on the root cause of your problem that which solution is appropriate for you. Try all the possible solutions given below one by one to overcome the situation when the HP printer says offline.

Solution 1: Resolve HP printer offline issue with HP print & Scan Doctor

Applications like HP Print and Scan doctor helps in analyzing what’s causing the printer to go in offline mode. Follow the steps given below to understand how to use these applications to fix the scenario when the HP printer says offline.

  • First, open the app and run the HPPSdr.exe file from the downloaded file location.
  • Click on the ‘Yes’ button to confirm the default file location when asked on your screen.
  • Next, click on the ‘Start’ button and choose your printer showing offline status.
  • If your desired printer doesn’t come up on the screen, restart it and try again.
  • Now the application will diagnose all the issues that cause your printer to go offline.
  • Now follow the process that your screen shows and click on Yes to confirm all the desired changes.

Hope this procedure will help you to fix the issue. Else, move to the next possible solution.

Solution 2: By changing printer properties

Most of the time printer offline issue can be easily resolved by making some modifications to your existing printer properties. Below mentioned is a step-by-step procedure to re-configure your printer properties:

  • Open ‘Control Panel’ and navigate to the ‘Devices and Printers option
  • Go to the ‘Printer Properties’ option from the dropdown menu
  • Now open the ‘Ports’ tab to start configuration
  • Choose an IP address for your printer
  • Click on ‘Configure Port’
  • In case the ‘SNMP Status Enabled’ option is checked turn it to unchecked
  • Click on ‘OK to save all the changes being made

Hope this procedure will help you to fix the issue. Else, move to the next possible solution.

Solution 3: Reconfiguring your HP Printer settings

HP printer going offline issues can also be resolved by making some changes in your printer settings. For this, you need to restart your computer and printer. In case the printer is a network printer you can try restarting your router. Refer to the below-mentioned procedure to fix the problem:

  • Open the ‘Control Panel’ window and navigate to the ‘Devices and Printers option
  • Verify that your printer is set as default
  • Right-click on the default printer selected and click on ‘See Whats Printing’ option
  • If any unfinished tasks are present in the list remove them
  • Again select the printer and uncheck the ‘Use Printer Offline’ option
  • Verify that the ‘Use Printer Offline’ option is unchecked
  • Ensure the printer is connected properly to your computer
  • Restart both your printer and computer

Solution 4: Performing Windows 10 updates for drivers and system software

HP Printer offline Windows 10 is frequently caused due to outdated or incompatible software. Although most of the time, updates of necessary software are automatically taken care of by Windows 10 itself in case the problem of the HP printer going offline persists you can always try to update the software manually by following the below-mentioned steps

  • Open settings by using ‘Windows + I ‘
  • Open the ‘Update and Security’ section and click on ‘Check for Updates’
  • In case of any updates available, windows will download those updates
  • Install the updates and check for the issue

Solution 5: By restarting the print spooler service

Restarting the ‘print Spooler’ service might also sometimes resolve the offline issue with HP printer. Print spooler service is used at the time of printing. You can restart this service by using the following procedure

  • Open the ‘Run’ tab by pressing ‘Windows + R ‘
  • Type ‘services.msc’ and then click on ‘OK’
  • After the ‘Services’ window is open, right-click on ‘Print Spooler’ and then click on ‘Restart’
  • Verify that the printer is sill showing offline or not

Solution 6: By restarting the print spooler service

Restarting the ‘print Spooler’ service might also sometimes resolve the offline issue with HP printer. Print spooler service is used at the time of printing. You can restart this service by using the following procedure

  • Open the ‘Run’ tab by pressing ‘Windows + R ‘
  • Type ‘services.msc’ and then click on ‘OK’
  • After the ‘Services’ window is open, right-click on ‘Print Spooler’ and then click on ‘Restart’
  • Verify that the printer is sill showing offline or not

Solution 7: By reinstalling printer drivers

This method is one of the most commonly used methods to fix the error on Windows 10. You can use this solution by going through the below-mentioned procedure

  • Open the ‘Control Panel’ and navigate to the ‘Devices and Printers’ option
  • Once you find your printer, right-click on it and click on ‘Remove Device’
  • Click on ‘Yes’ in the tab if prompted
  • Once the device is removed download your printer’s latest driver from the printer’s manufacturer site
  • Before downloading the driver checks the particular driver version is compatible with your printer
  • After the printer driver is successfully downloaded you can install the driver and start printing

Solution 8: By adding a second printer

In case any of the above solutions didn't work for you and the HP printer offline error is still there on your Windows 10 computer you can try adding a second printer. This can be done by using the following steps

  • Open the ‘Control Panel’ and click on ‘Devices and Printers’
  • Once you find your printer, right-click on it and click on ‘Remove Device’
  • Now click on the ‘ports’ tab and select the ‘Add Port’ option
  • Select the ‘Standard TCP/IP Port’ option and then click on the ‘New Port’ option
  • After the ‘printer Port Wizard’ tab opens click on ‘Next’
  • Enter all the details that are asked for in the tab by referring to your printer’s manual
  • Once all details are mentioned click on ‘Next’. This will add a second printer which will be connected

By this time, your HP printer offline issue must be resolved. In case, none of the solutions worked for you, it is better to connect with HP printer support.

Wrapping Up

The surefire solutions given in the blog above are used by the HP printer support group around the world to fix the HP printer offline issue with ease. Surely they will help you to fix the issue on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1How do I get my HP printer from offline to online?

If you notice that your HP Printer is offline, then you want to bring it back to the online status. For the same, you have to do certain troubleshooting to understand what is the nature of the ‘HP printer offline.’ For example, you may troubleshoot to understand whether the problem is caused due to loose cables or outdated drivers, or less ink or cartridge without ink.

2Why is my HP printer showing offline?

Your HP printer may be showing ‘HP Printer offline’ for a number of reasons. The error may be associated with cable connection or wireless connection or outdated drivers or cartridge problems. Usually, the most common reason is the USB cable connecting the printer and the computer being loose. If the cartridge has no ink in it then your HP printer may not work and the same may happen if the ink tank has no ink.

3How do you get your printer back online?

A printer displaying a ‘HP Printer offline’ error can also be due to problems with your Wi-Fi network. Your printer has to be connected to the Wi-Fi in order for you to take the printout. If you’re using USB cable, see to it that your USB cableis connected firmly to both computer and the printer.