My HP Photosmart Plus B210 says it's offline

[Noreen63]

I have a Dell PC with Windows 7 and have connected wirelessly with CenturyLink.  They changed some settings over the phone with me to help phone/Ipad connect and now the printer won't print.  Please help...

[Sunshyn2005]

Hi Noreen63,

Because changes have been made to the network, the printer likely needs to be reconfigured.

1. Touch the Wireless button ( ) on the product control panel, and then touch Wireless Setup Wizard. The Wireless Setup Wizard searches for networks, and then displays them in a list.
2. On the list of available networks, touch the network name (SSID) corresponding to your network.
3. If prompted, enter the WEP or WPA key using the on-screen keyboard, and then touch Done.

Make sure that you enter the uppercase (capital) and lowercase (small) letters exactly. Otherwise, the wireless connection will fail.

This information and more can be found in 'Printer Not Found' Error Message Displays on the Computer During a Wireless Network Installation.

Hope this helps.

[Noreen63]

Okay - I have tried this numerous times.  I guess I am not sure what  my WEP PassPhrase is.  Is it the password that you put in if someone is trying to use your wireless connection?  I have tried using that password as well as the one listed on the bottom of the device.  Sometimes I get a message that says my passphrase is incorrect.  A couple of times it told me that it was successful but still said it was offline when I tried to print.  And now it is just getting stuck when attempting to connect to the network and I have to unplug it.  Not sure whats going on.  Any other suggestions???  Thanks -

[Sunshyn2005]

Hi Noreen63,

Sorry to hear you are struggling with this.

The WEP is the network password. Use the one that allowed the printer to connect and we can work together to make sure the computer sees it as available rather than offline.

Once the printer is online, use the HP Print and Scan Doctor to help  resolves many printing and scanning errors, network connection problems, and driver issues. Click here to start downloading and running The HP Print and Scan Doctor.

Keep me posted.

[Noreen63]

Okay.  I have successfully connected wirelessly - however, I still cannot print.  It did print a wireless Network Test Report and said "no problems found."  When I try to print I get a communication error.  What should I try now???  Thanks -

[Sunshyn2005]

Hi Noreen63,

I think we are making progress 🙂

I believe deleting the driver and re-adding it again should resolve the issue. follow the steps listed below to remove the driver from the server properties and re-add the printer.

1. In the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder

2. Choose ‘Print server properties’.

• Win XP – With no printer selected, click ‘File’ then ‘Server Properties’.
• Windows Vista – With no printer selected, press ‘Alt’ then click ‘File’ then ‘Server Properties’.
• Windows 7/8 and 8.1 – Select any printer in the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder and click ‘Print Server properties’ above.

3. Click on the ‘Drivers’ tab at the top of ‘Print server properties’ window

4. Choose the printer you want to uninstall and click ‘Remove’

5. Choose 'Remove driver only'

6. The next screen will give a warning, letting you know that deleting the driver package will remove it from the system. Click ‘Yes’ to say that you are sure you want to do this.

If documents are stuck in the print spooler, you may see an error, cancel any documents pending in the print queue, or try restarting the print spooler, then try to remove the driver from ‘Print server properties’ again. If it still won’t remove the package, restarting the computer and the printer should resolve this ‘in use’ error and allow the driver to be removed.

After the driver is removed, open Start > All Programs > HP folder > Printer folder > HP Setup and Software

Please let me know if this resolves the issue, thanks.

[Noreen63]

It will not allow me to remove the driver.  It says that it is currently in use.  I have deleted all items in all print ques on 4 computers that print wirelessly to this device.  I have also shutdown all computers as well.  I rebooted my computer and tried it again and it still says that it is in use.  Any other suggestions???

[Sunshyn2005]

Hi Noreen63,

Let's leave the printer turned on and unplug the power cable for 1 minute. This should break the connection between the printer and computer and allow you to delete the diver.

Let me know, if this does not work I will do some additional research.

[Noreen63]

I noticed that the IP address on the printer and the IP address on my computer were different.  I used the option on the printer to reset to original settings and then it did allow me to print from my computer.  However, we have three other computers that usually print wirelessly from this same printer and they are still not able to print.  Two are on windows 8 and the other on windows 7.  I did check the ip address on one and it was the same as the printer but it still says offline.  I also tried to disconnect drivers from that computer and it says it is in use.  I got one to work and don't have time to mess anymore today.  How frustrating.  I will goof around more tomorrow.  Thanks -

[Sunshyn2005]

Hi Noreen63,

I am sorry this has been such a frustrating experience for you. I suggest using the HP Print and Scan Doctor now on all of the computers. The Print and Scan Doctor was designed by HP to provide users with the troubleshooting and problem solving features needed to resolve many common problems experienced with HP print and scan products connected to Windows-based computers. The following are some common problems that the Print and Scan Doctor can resolve easily:

• ' Printer is Offline  ' or print jobs stuck in the print queue

• Missing or corrupt drivers

• Connectivity issues

• Firewall issues

• Scan error messages

Click here to download the HP Print and Scan Doctor

Please let me know how this works out for you.