I tried to print something today. Message says the computer cannot make contact with printer.

[leo22572]

I was trying to print a page, put it in queue and hit print, but nothing happened except I received a message saying the computer was unable to make contact with the printer.I tried again on a second download and got an offline message. I could not get it online. I ran trouble shooter which can't find printer. I think I am going to have to reconnect the printer.If that doesn't work I will be back.

[Raj_05]

Hi @leo22572,

Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

Encountering a message that says the computer cannot make contact with the HP printer can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Follow these steps to identify the problem and get your printer working again.

• Check Printer Connection: Ensure that your HP printer is properly connected to your computer. If it's a USB connection, make sure the cable is securely plugged into both the printer and the computer. If it's a network printer (connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet), make sure the printer is connected to the same network as your computer.
• Restart Devices: Sometimes, connection issues can be resolved by simply restarting both the computer and the printer. Turn off both devices, wait for a few seconds, and then turn them back on.
• Check Printer Status: On your computer, go to the "Devices and Printers" or "Printers & Scanners" section (the exact name may vary depending on your operating system). Check if your HP printer is listed and set as the default printer. If not, right-click on the printer and select "Set as default printer."
• Update Printer Drivers: Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause communication problems. Visit the official HP website and download the latest drivers for your specific printer model. Install the drivers on your computer and follow any on-screen instructions.
• Restart Print Spooler: The print spooler is a service that manages print jobs in Windows. Sometimes restarting this service can help resolve printer communication issues. To do this, open the Run dialog (press Windows Key + R), type "services.msc," and press Enter. Locate the "Print Spooler" service, right-click on it, and select "Restart."
• Disable Firewall/Antivirus Temporarily: Sometimes, security software can interfere with printer communication. Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus software to check if they are causing the problem. If the printer starts working after disabling them, consider adding an exception for the printer in your security software settings.
• Check Printer IP Address (Network Printers): If your HP printer is connected to the network, check its IP address. Go to your printer's control panel and find the network settings. Compare the IP address with the one assigned to your computer. If they are not in the same subnet, you may need to adjust your printer or network settings.
• Reset Printer Network Settings: If the printer is connected to the network and you're still experiencing issues, you can try resetting the printer's network settings to factory defaults. Refer to the printer's manual or HP's support website for instructions on how to do this for your specific printer model.
• Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor: HP provides a free troubleshooting tool called "HP Print and Scan Doctor." Download and run this tool from the official HP website. It can automatically diagnose and fix many common printer-related issues.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support