My non wireless printer is asking me to connect to as network so i can use the scanner

[Dart_Dukii]

Hi, i have a m142A Usb printer. The day i got i i tried it out and it worked perfectly, today my printer is showing as offline in HP Smart but it prints as normal, but i can not use the scan function, neither on the printer nor in the App, and it shows the printer in the app as offline, when i play around i the options it tells me that it is not connected to the same network as my PC, but it is a USB printer connected to my pc via USB. I need help here

 

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Dart_Dukii 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I understand how confusing and frustrating it feels when your HP LaserJet MFP M142a prints perfectly over USB but suddenly refuses to scan, especially when it worked fine earlier. 

You’ve already done a great job identifying that the printer is connected via USB and not wireless, so let’s get the scan function working again.

Why this happens

The HP App sometimes misidentifies USB‑connected printers as offline if the full feature driver isn’t installed or if the app is expecting a network connection. This can block scanning even though printing works.

Step‑by‑step to restore scanning over USB

1. Uninstall the printer from HP App

• Open the HP App on your Windows 11 PC.
• Remove the M142a printer from the app.
• Close the app completely.

2. Install the full feature driver package

• Go to the official support page:
  HP Laser MFP 139 140 Series – Software and Drivers
• Download the Full Software and Drivers package for Windows.
• Run the installer and follow the prompts to set up the printer via USB.
• This ensures both print and scan functions are properly registered.

3. Re‑add the printer in HP App

• Open the HP App again.
• Click Add Printer and select your M142a from the list.
• It should now show as connected via USB, and scanning will be enabled.

4. Test scanning

• In the HP App, click Scan.
• Place a document on the scanner and run a test scan.
• Save the file to confirm everything is working.

Your HP LaserJet MFP M142a is a USB‑only printer, and scanning will work perfectly once the full driver package is installed and the printer is re‑added to the HP App. The app’s “offline” message is just a misinterpretation when the USB setup isn’t fully registered.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye