How do I fix printer offline problem

[erwsa]

Have already tried the stuff here https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Working-from-home-Expert-tips/Printer-is-offline-in-Windows-How-do-I-g...  

except router stuff because I don't have a router (apartment wifi)

Also is there a way to connect  directly to the printer via the app the way you can with an android device?  

Seriously this is a horribly designed product I spent over an hour today trying to get this printer online when it should just always be online by default way to many hoops to do simple stuff wt****

[Dragon-Fur]

@erwsa 

I am sorry you are frustrated.

If your mystery printer supports Wi-Fi Direct, you can connect the printer to the computer wirelessly without the need for a router.

The "apps" on the computer (if you are asking about Windows or Mac OS) are different from the mobile applications used in iOS and / or Android.  For example, if your computer is running Windows 10 and if your printer supports it, the "app" would be HP Smart for Windows.  If that application is fully supported AND if your printer supports the Wi-Fi Direct opion, you might be able to connect / switch Wi-Fi Direct on / off using the Embedded Web Server (EWS).

There is a lot to know.  All of it depends on your printer and your Operating System, the application, and the extend that software and applications are supported.

Start here:

HP Printers - Printing with Wi-Fi Direct

Whether or not Wi-Fi Direct is supported depends on your printer model and your computer's Operating System and version.

The support website for your printer can help you learn about your printer and how it can be connected.

• Find your printer and open the support website
• Select Category > Product Information > Open the Specifications > read the section on Connectivity

and / or (even better)

• Select Category > Manuals > Open the User Guide > look in the table of contents for "Connect the printer" (wording varies quite a bit - look for something having to do with "network" setup).

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology

References / Help / Assistance

Reference and Resources – (More) Places to find help, solve problems, and learn how to use your Printer

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

Open Support Home

Enter the name of your device

HP Collection of “how-to” videos

HP Video Gallery

• Use Categories and the search window to narrow the search. 

For example,

Category Printers and All-in-Ones > Networking and Wireless

Category Printers and All-in-Ones > Install, Setup, Drivers

• Select your Video

Example for finding videos about Wi-Fi Direct

HP Video Gallery > Printers and All-in-Ones > Type in the search bar:  Wi-Fi Direct

Select a video

HP Smart for Windows

HP Smart is an application available from the Windows Store.

Learn how to use HP Smart on your Windows 10 computer.

Open the Software and Drivers Support Website for your printer > Check the Box Get the App

OR

HP Printers - Using the HP Smart App (Windows 10)

NOTE:  Website includes the HP Smart software for Windows and Mobile devices, plus an FAQ section to assist with questions / issues

EOF

[erwsa]

HOW do I use HP smart I have wifi direct and I can connect, but printer is offline and unresponsive when I want to print or scan

[Dragon-Fur]

@erwsa 

OK.

Assuming, for the sake of continuing: 

You are using Windows 10 on a PC and that your mystery printer is actually a Deskjet 2600.  

Full Feature Software / Print and Scan Driver and Accessories

If you haven not done so, take the time to download-save-install the Full Feature Software for the printer.  

HP DeskJet / Ink Advantage 2600/2675/2676/2677/2678 Print and Scan Driver and Accessories

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in.

After the printer software is installed, find the "Printer Assistant" shortcut icon on the desktop named for your printer.  Depending on the printer software, additional tools are available to help you manage and use your printer.

Printer_Assistant_Shortcut_Icon_on_Desktop

Adobe Reader DC – Needed Whether You Use It or Not

If you have not done so,

Reinstall / Update your PDF Reader (Adobe Reader DC /Optional  Foxit Reader)

HINT:  Watch out for and UNCHECK unwanted extra software

Adobe Reader DC software should be installed even if you do not open / view / print PDF files directly from the software.

HP Smart - Setup and Use

Some places to look for more help to use HP Smart:

• Sign into your HP Smart for Windows Application - things work better when you are signed into your HP account.
• Read the how-to document and watch the video HP Printers - Using the HP Smart App (Windows 10)

Reference - User Guide 

Check the printer display panel for the condition of the Wi-Fi Direct status  - Page 7

Need help?  Page 10

Check the printer display to get the Wi-Fi Direct name and password - Page 65

HP Smart can be used to print and scan after the printer is added to the application.

General Example

HP_Smart_W10_Start_Screen_1

Once set up, the printer settings provides the connection setup / status 

HP_Smart_W10_Printer_Settings_1

Reference and Resources – (More) Places to find help, solve problems, and learn how to use your Printer

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP DeskJet 2600 All-in-One Printer series

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology.