My printer constantly says "offline" each time I try to use it

[Nealhrrlsn]

My printer constantly says "offline" each time I try to use it. Does anyone else have this issue. Honestly the worst and most troublesome printer I have ever owned

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Nealhrrlsn 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It’s frustrating when a printer constantly shows "offline," especially when you need it to work reliably. Printer offline issues are quite common, but they are usually fixable with some troubleshooting steps. Here’s how you can resolve the issue and prevent it from happening again:

General Reasons for Printer Being "Offline"

1. Network Connectivity Issues: If your printer is connected via Wi-Fi, poor signal or network issues can cause it to appear offline.
2. Incorrect Printer Status: Sometimes, the printer status is set to offline in the system settings, even if it’s connected properly.
3. Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: Printer drivers may need to be updated or reinstalled.
4. Configuration Issues: The printer might not be set as the default device or could be configured incorrectly.

Steps to Fix Printer Offline Issues

1. Check Basic Connectivity

• Restart the Printer and Devices: Turn off your printer, computer (or mobile device), and router. Wait a minute and then turn them back on.
• Ensure that your printer is properly connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or device. If it’s connected via USB, check the cable connection.
• Make sure the printer’s Wi-Fi signal is strong. Move the printer closer to your router if necessary.

Set the Printer to "Online" in Windows

• Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• Right-click on your printer and select See what’s printing.
• In the new window, click on Printer at the top and uncheck Use Printer Offline if it's checked.

3. Set the Printer as Default (Windows)

• Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
• Select your printer and click on Manage > Set as default.
• Sometimes, Windows assigns a different default printer, so setting it manually can help prevent the issue.

4. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

• Visit the HP Support website and download the latest drivers for your printer model. Reinstalling the drivers can often solve connectivity issues.
• To reinstall, go to Device Manager (right-click on the Start button), find your printer under Print queues, and uninstall it. Then reinstall it using the latest drivers from HP.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support