May. 10, 2023 / Updated by Renata to Windows Driver Solutions
HP printers are one of the most popular printer brands in the market today. However, like any other device, they are not immune to problems, and one of the most common issues that HP printer users face is offline printer problems. This issue can be frustrating and can disrupt your productivity. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss how to troubleshoot offline HP printer problems in Windows.
Before we dive into the solutions, let us first understand why you may be facing offline printer problems.
Why is your HP printer showing offline in Windows?
There can be several reasons why your HP printer is showing offline in Windows. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Connectivity Issues: If your printer is not properly connected to your computer or network, it may show as offline.
2. Printer Settings: There may be issues with your printer settings, such as settings that prevent your printer from coming online automatically.
3. Power Issues: If your printer isn’t powered on, it may show as offline. Similarly, if the printer is not properly plugged in or if there are power outages, the printer will go offline.
4. Driver Issues: If the printer driver software on your computer is outdated, corrupted, or missing, your printer may go offline.
Now that we know why your HP printer might be offline let us discuss some of the solutions to troubleshoot this problem. Every computer has different configurations and settings, so each solution may be suitable for different situations. You'd better try each method in order to find the final solution.
Solution 1: Check Printer Connection
Solution 2: Check Printer Settings
Solution 3: Update Printer Driver
Solution 4: Restart Print Spooler Service
Solution 5: Check the Hardware
One of the first things you should do when you encounter an offline HP printer problem is to check the printer connection. If you are using a wired connection, ensure that the USB cable or Ethernet cable is properly plugged in. If you are using a wireless connection, ensure that your printer and computer are connected to the same network. Once you have verified the connection, try to restart the printer.
If the printer is correctly connected, but it’s still showing as offline, then the next step is to check the printer settings. It is possible that the printer settings are preventing it from coming online automatically. Follow these steps to check the printer settings:
1. Go to Control Panel and click on Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click on the HP printer icon and select See what's printing.
3. Click on Printer >Use Printer Offline.
4. Ensure that the Use Printer Offline option is unchecked. If it isn't, click on it to uncheck the box and bring the printer online.
If the Use Printer Offline option is unchecked, then try to restart your printer and check if the problem is resolved.
If none of the above solutions work, the problem may be due to the printer driver Software. You need to ensure that you have the latest printer driver software installed on your system. Here are the steps to update the printer driver:
1. Go to Control Panel >Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click on the HP printer icon and select Properties.
3. Click on the Hardware tab.
4. Select HP printer from the list of devices and click on Properties.
5. Click on the Driver tab.
6. Click on the Update Driver button and follow the instructions on the screen.
Once the driver has been updated, restart the printer and try printing again.
When you print a document, it is sent to the print spooler service, which then sends it to the printer. If the print spooler service is not running correctly, it may lead to offline HP printer problems. Here’s how to restart the service:
1. Press Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and click OK.
3. Scroll down and find the Print Spooler service.
4. Right-click and select Restart.
Once the service has restarted, try to print a test page and check if the printer is back online.
If all the above solutions fail, you may need to perform some hardware checks. First, ensure that the printer is powered on. Check the printer cables to ensure that they are properly connected. You can also try to print a test page from the printer to determine if the problem is with the printer hardware. If you are still unable to fix the problem, then it may be time to contact HP Technical Support.
In summary, offline HP printer problems can be caused by several factors, including connectivity issues, printer settings, power issues, driver issues, and hardware problems. With a few simple solutions, you can easily troubleshoot offline HP printer problems in Windows. By following the above steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your printer back online. If none of the solutions work, then it may be necessary to contact HP Technical Support for further assistance.
ExplorerMax | Driver Talent for Network Card | |||
Smart and advanced file explorer tool for Windows platforms | Download & Install Network Drivers without Internet Connection | |||
30-day Free Trial | Free Download |