HP LaserJet connected to wifi but shows on PC as offline

[Chriscic]

My printer shows as connected to my wifi network, the Wirless Network test report is pass with excellent signal strength. Yet the printer shows as offline in HP Smart.

Notes:

The printer and PC are on the same network (the PC is actually hardwired into the router).

I have rebooted the printer and my router and my PC.

The printer IP address (which I can see on printer LCD) shows up on my router as an active connection.

Any suggestions? I've had my printer connected via etherner for a long time since wifi was always quirkly. But now I've updated to latest firmware (2023) and was hoping it would work.

Suggestions greatly appreciated

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Chriscic 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

It sounds like your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281cdw is connected to Wi-Fi but still appearing offline in HP Smart. Since you've already rebooted everything and confirmed the printer's IP address is active, here are some additional steps to try:

 

1. Check Printer Status in Windows

• Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners.
• Click on your printer and ensure "Use Printer Offline" is unchecked.
• Try setting the printer as Default.

 

2. Remove & Re-add the Printer

• In Printers & Scanners, remove the printer.
• Click Add a printer and let Windows detect it again.
• If Windows doesn’t find it, try adding it manually using the printer’s IP address.

 

3. Assign a Static IP Address

• Open your router settings and assign a static IP to the printer.
• Then, manually add the printer using that IP in Windows.

 

4. Run HP Print & Scan Doctor

• HP has a troubleshooting tool that can detect and fix connectivity issues. You can download it here.

 

If none of these steps work, let me know what happens at each stage, and we’ll dig deeper! Hopefully, we can get your printer back online.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Chriscic]

Thank you for the suggestions.

What I tried:

1) I don't see any setting for this when I click on the printer in Windows 11 Printers and Scanners settings.

2) Already done that many times : )  Did it again though.

3) Did this, and confirmed the new ip address. I then was able to find and add the printer manually in Windows. I was even able to print a test page (all this when it was wireless). However, HP Smart still showed as offline. Then I rebooted and now it won't even print the test page in settings again (now says "Defalut, Error." And the printer isn't found when I try and print from MS Word. I did confirm again that the printer is connected and showing as active in my router at the assigned IP address.

4) The link provided takes me to a discussion page, not a file to download (I don't see it anywhere there).

Also note that when I connect wired to my router via ethernet, things work fine.

Appreciate additional things to try!

[Hawks_Eye]

@Chriscic 

You are Welcome!

Thanks for all your efforts and patience.

Thanks for the detailed update! Since your HP LaserJet prints fine when connected via Ethernet but struggles over Wi-Fi, it seems like a network communication issue rather than a printer malfunction. Here are a few more things to try:

1. Assign a Static IP & Update Printer Port

• Since you've already assigned a static IP, let's ensure Windows is using the correct port:
  • Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
  • Right-click your printer → Printer Properties → Ports.
  • Select Add Port → Standard TCP/IP Port.
  • Enter the static IP address you assigned to the printer.
  • Click Next, then Finish, and set it as the default port.

2. Disable SNMP in Printer Settings

• Some HP printers have issues with SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), causing them to appear offline.
• In Printer Properties → Ports, click Configure Port.
• Uncheck SNMP Status Enabled and save changes.

3. Reset HP Smart & Reinstall the Printer

• Uninstall HP Smart and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.
• Remove the printer from Printers & Scanners, then re-add it using the static IP method.

4. Check Router Settings

• Some routers have AP Isolation or Client Isolation enabled, preventing devices from communicating.
• Log into your router settings and disable AP Isolation if it's turned on.

Try these steps and let me know what happens! Hopefully, this gets your printer back online wirelessly.

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye

[Chriscic]

So I did 1) and 2). Once I did that, I could print a test page and also print from Chrome. However, HP Smart still showed as offline.

3) Uninstalled HP Smart. It would not reinstall because it cannot find the printer.

Then I rebooted. After rebooting, printer in windows settings at first showed as connected, but I could not print a test page or from Chrome (or anything). After a bit it changed to say not connected. Of course I still cannot reinstall HP Smart because it's showing as offline (I tried anyway).

4) Found AP Isolation setting on my ASUS AX-88U router. It is not turned on.

Argh! : )

Edit: I tried on a clean install of Windows (I do a Win 11 dual boot for gaming) and no better luck there. HP Smart not find the printer wirelessly, even if I enter the ip address. 

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Chriscic,

Thank you for the response.

Try these steps:

Manually Add Printer to HP Smart (Bypass Discovery)

Even if HP Smart doesn't find the printer automatically:

Open a browser → go to http://<printer-ip>/

If it opens the Embedded Web Server (EWS), your network can talk to the printer.

Then:

Open HP Smart → Click “Set Up a New Printer”

Choose “Add a printer using IP address” (try both http:// and https://)

If still fails: turn off Windows Defender Firewall temporarily and retry setup.

Switch Wi-Fi Band (2.4GHz vs 5GHz)

Many older HP printers prefer 2.4GHz.

Check your router and temporarily disable 5GHz or create a guest network locked to 2.4GHz only.

Connect printer to that network → Re-try setup.

HP Smart App Flush + Reset Windows Spooler

Flush HP Smart App Cache (Hidden Trick)

Win+R → type %LocalAppData%\Packages

Find folder starting with: AD2F1837.HPPrinterControl

Delete that entire folder (it's HP Smart app cache)

Reboot and reinstall HP Smart fresh from Microsoft Store

Reset Print Spooler

Win+R → services.msc

Find Print Spooler

Right-click → Stop

Go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS → delete all files

Start the Print Spooler again

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,