Deskjet 2540 status offline

[G_A_M_Mc1]

I have a deskjet 2540 printer/scanner, that is showing offline in every progamme except for hp printer control app.

It works perfect everytime from this app in windows 8.

I have all the hp updates done since 8/7/15

I have all the windows 8 updates done since 8/7/15

I can't get the printer to print from the print and scan doctor

I have uninstalled and reinstalled a few times same thing

I have the same problem using the USB cable.

I also tried installing with the USB cable same thing

I would be extremely greatful for any assistance with this irritating problem

P.S. the problem started all of a sudden. before this problem, windows and the hp programming was not updated at all ever, as i felt" if its not broken don't fix it". Now I have a problem

[X-23 · Accepted solution]

Hello @G_A_M_Mc1,

Welcome to the HP Support Forums!

I understand that you're experiencing Offline issues when printing from your Windows 8 computer to your HP Deskjet 2540 All-in-One Printer. I would like to assist you today with resolving this printing issue. Thank you for including all of the troubleshooting you have attempted prior to reaching out for support. To be honest, because this issue occurs via the USB Cable connection and network connection I do not believe the issue that you're experiencing is related to connectivity. Rather, there is likely either a driver conflict occuring between your printer and computer, or a print spooler issue occuring on the Windows computer. Can I please have you follow the steps below to resolve this issue.

Step 1: Run Microsoft Fix It:

This Fix is for networked printers. I understand that your printing issue occurs through both USB and Network connections. However, it's worth a shot to try this fix.

Microsoft has released a Hotfix to correct printing issues within the Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Operating Systems. The printing issues appear to affect networked printers regardless of make or model and is a conflict with the WSD Network Port on Windows. Please click here to download and run a Microsoft Fix It Tool. Once the website opens for the Hotfix please click the button for 'Hotfix Download Available'. Please follow the onscreen prompts to install the Hotfix. Once the Hotfix has been loaded please test printing again. Should the printing issue persist, please proceed to the next step. 

Step 2: Check Print Spooler Status:

The Print Spooler is the print system built into your Windows computer. Printers rely on the Print Spooler Service to be functioning in order to print correctly. Therefore, I am going to have you check the Print Spooler service to ensure that it is in good working order.

1. Open your Start screen by selecting the Windows button on the bottom left hand side of your computer screen or by selecting the Windows key on the bottom left of your keyboard, to the right of the Ctrl button
2. In the Start screen type Run
3. Click on Run to launch the Run dialogue box
4. In the Run box type services.msc and select OK
5. When the Services window opens scroll down until you see Print Spooler
6. Click on Print Spooler once just to highlight it
7. If you see Start in the top left hand corner than that indicates that  your Print Spooler is in fact Stopped (not good). But we will leave this for now.
8. If you see Stop or Restart in the top left hand corner than this indicates that your Print Spooler is actually Started. Please click on Stop to temporarily Stop the service.
9. Minimize this window as we will need to come back here

Step 3: Check Print Spooler Folder:

1. Reopen your Start screen
2. Type Computer. Click on Computer (or This PC) when it populates as a result
3. In the Computer window select your C Drive
4. Click on Windows
5. Click System32
6. Click Spool
7. Click PRINTERS. You may get a permissions warning, just Continue past this.
8. The PRINTERS folder should be empty. If there is any files in here they are corrupted print jobs. Right click on anything in this folder and 'delete' the files.
9. Close the PRINTERS folder

Step 4: Start Spooler and Check Dependencies:

1. Reopen the Services window we previously minimized

2. Click on Print Spooler again to highlight it

3. Click on Start in the top left corner

4. If you get an error message please take note of it

5. If the Print Spooler starts successfully you will see 'Stop and Restart' as your options in the top left

6. Next, double left click on Print Spooler. A Print Spooler Properties window will now open. Click on the Log On tab at the top. Can you please make sure this is set to Local System Account and make sure the box is checked to 'Allow Service to Interact with Desktop'.

7. Next, click on the 'Dependencies' tab. Please check what Dependencies are listed. I will need to know this should the issue persist once you complete the steps I'm providing in this post.

8. Click Apply and OK for any changes you may have made under the Log On tab. Close the Services window.

Once the Spooler has been checked, and Started, please test printing. Should the printing issue persist, please proceed to the last step to load an alternate driver on your machine and test printing.

Step 5: Load Alternate Driver:

1. Open your Start screen by selecting the Windows key on the bottom left of your computer screen or by selecting the Windows key on the bottom left of your keyboard, to the right of the Ctrl button
2. Under the Start screen type Devices and Printers. Click Devices and Printers to launch the window
3. Under the Devices and Printers window right click on your HP Deskjet 2540 All-in-One and left click on Printer Properties.
4. Left click on the Advanced tab
5. Left click on New Driver
6. When the New Driver window opens just hit 'next' until you see a list of Manufacturers on the left and a list of Printers on the right.
7. Select HP as the Manufacturer on the left
8. Select Deskjet 9800 as the printer on the right. If Deskjet 9800 doesn't appear than select 'Windows Update' on the bottom left and once the update completes you will be able to select Deskjet 9800.
9. After selecting Deskjet 9800 hit next to complete the New Driver Wizard
10. Under the Printer Properties window select 'Apply' but don't hit OK
11. Select the General tab
12. Rename your printer back to HP Deskjet 2540 All-in-One
    
13. Hit OK
14. Lastly, right click on your HP Deskjet 2540 All-in-One one more time and left click on Printing Preferences
15. Left click on the Paper/Quality tab
16. Left click on the 'Normal' dropdown for Print Quality on the bottom right and change this to Fast Normal
17. Hit Apply and OK

Once the Alternate Driver has been successfully installed, please test printing.

Please respond to this post with the result of your troubleshooting. I look forward to hearing from you. Good luck! 🙂

[G_A_M_Mc1]

Step 5 Load Alternate Driver is the one that worked. Thanks for the help X-23

[RaghuBhargava]

Hi

I tried all the steps as mentioned in the forum.... I cannot locate Deskjet 9800 on my machine and neither i can see windows update. I need the help very badly...please let me know if there is any other way out. 

The printer was working as late as last week. I just changed the modem and hence there was change in the wifi network name & password. 

[X-23]

Hey there @RaghuBhargava,

Welcome to the HP Support Forums!

I see that since changing your modem, your Deskjet 2540 All-in-One Printer is showing as 'Offline' on your computer. I would like to assist you today with resolving this issue. Because the modem has been changed, your printer will need to be reconfigured on your network to resolve this issue.

Let's try the steps here: Wireless Printer Setup (Windows) to reconfigure the wireless on your printer. Once the configuration and reinstall is complete your printer should function as per normal.

Please respond to this post with the result of your troubleshooting. Should the issue persist, can you please include your operating system in your response. Alternatively, if you feel that the steps I've provided resolve your issue please click the 'thumbs up' icon below to say "thanks for helping!" Good luck!