How to Fix the HP Printer Offline in Windows and Mac

 Is the HP Printer offline status showing on Windows and Mac systems? This problem is common in different models of HP printers, such as HP Envy, DeskJet, and LaserJet printers. Sometimes the printer will say offline but will be connected.

 

Although the problem is frustrating, you can switch the printer from offline to online using appropriate fixes. This article will explain all the latest fixes in greater detail.

 

Why Is Your HP Printer Offline in Windows and Mac

Some most prominent reasons for your printer showing offline status include the following:

●     Connection problems

●     The printer is set to work offline.

●     There are many pending printing jobs in the print queue.

●     Your printer drivers are outdated.

●     The spooler settings are not correct.

 

Fixes to Turn Your HP Printer Offline to Online

You can follow these fixes to make your HP printer online and responsive.

Disable the Use printer offline settings.

Sometimes, the printer can be set as offline. So, you need to turn it back online to facilitate printing.

●     Turn on your system that is linked to the HP printer.

●     You do not have to power on your printer to allow it to come back online.

●     Tap the ‘Start’ menu and choose ‘Devices and Printers.’

●     Tap your HP printer’s icon.

●     Tap ‘Offline.’

●     Then, from the pop-up window, tap the ‘Printer’ option.

●     Remove the check from ‘Use printer offline.’

Set your printer as default.

If your HP printer isn’t the default one, you must make it so to facilitate printing. Here’s how to set your current HP as default.

●     Hit the Windows Start button.

●     Head to the Control Panel area.

●     Go to ‘Devices and Printers’ and choose your HP printer.

●     It should have a green tick.

●     Below ‘Printer,’ choose the ‘Set as default’ option.

●     You will no longer find the HP printer offline status.

Fix the spooler settings.

Try restarting the spooler service to make your printer status online. Follow these pointers to restart the service.

●     Launch the Run dialog by pressing Windows and R keys.

●     On this box, type ‘services.msc.’

●     Hit Enter, and you will see the Services window.

●     Scroll down to see the ‘Print Spooler’ service.

●     Right-tap ‘Print Spooler.’

●     Now, click ‘Stop.’

●     After a few moments, right-tap on the ‘Print Spooler’ again.

●     Tap ‘Start.’

●     This will resume the print spooler services.

●     Now, restart your system and the HP printer.

●     You will find the printer responsive.

Fix the wireless connection.

If you use a wireless network, make changes in the wireless settings.

●     Firstly, see that your printing device is linked to a Wi-Fi network.

●     Choose the wireless network button.

●     Save the new settings.

●     Now, examine the router’s connectivity.

●     Apart from this, check whether the power outlet of the printer is operational.

Update your HP printer driver.

Your printer may have outdated drivers. That’s why you are facing the HP printer offline error. So, update the drivers from the official support page of the HP printer.

●     In the Run box, input ‘devmgmt.msc.’

●     Press Enter key to access the ‘Device Manager’ window.

●     There will be a list of options.

●     From them, expand the printer’s tab.

●     Find the model number of your printer. Right-tap it and select ‘Update driver.’

●     Choose the automatic update option.

●     Start your computer again for the driver update to finish.

Use the Print and Scan Doctor from Hewlitt-Packard

The HP Print and Scan Doctor detects and fixes connection problems in your printer. Ensure to load the printer’s tray with sufficient paper.

●     Power on your printer.

●     Download the Print and Scan Doctor from the HP website.

●     Install the program by adhering to the prompts.

●     Once it installs, open it.

●     Tap ‘Start’ on the Welcome screen.

●     Let the app run.

●     If you cannot find your printer, choose ‘My product is not listed.’

●     Now, adhere to the instructions to fix the connection problems.

Re-add your printer

Sometimes, removing and re-adding the printing device can also make an offline printer turn online. Follow these points to re-add your HP printer on the Windows system.

●     Launch ‘Printers and Scanners’ on your computer.

●     Now, choose your printer and tap ‘Remove Device.’

●     Choose ‘Yes.’

●     Click ‘Add a printer or scanner.’

●     This will reinstall the printer.

●     Open the HP Smart app.

●     Right-tap on your printer symbol and hit ‘Hide printer.’

●     Tap this option once more so the printer gets removed from the HP Smart app.

●     Now, add it again by clicking ‘Add printer.’

●     You may also tap the plus sign to re-add your printer.

 

Fix HP Envy Printer Offline Problem

HP Envy 4500 printer shows offline status many times. Use these steps to troubleshoot the status and restore the printer connection.

Reset the printing environment.

Resetting the printing environment restores the connection between the printer and the computer.

●     Switch off HP Envy and let it stay in this position for 10 seconds.

●     Now, turn off your computer.

●     After some time, plug back the power cord to the printing.

●     This will turn on the printer.

●     Wireless connection users should restart their routers.

●     After five seconds, reconnect the cord to the router.

●     Hit the wireless button to activate the wireless connection.

●     When the printer connects with the router, turn on the system.

●     Relink the power cord to the back of the printer and give a print command.

Turn off firewall

A firewall obstructs external threats to the system. However, it can also interfere with the printer’s network communication. So, turn it off to fix the offline problem in HP Envy 4500.

●     Open the HP Print and Scan Doctor.

●     Hit ‘Network.’

●     Choose ‘Troubleshooting firewalls.’

●     Now turn off the status.

●     If the printer works properly after disabling the firewall, temporarily turn off the security program.

Reinstall the printer software.

●     Take out the USB cable.

●     Now, navigate to ‘Programs and Features.’

●     Here, find your HP software and uninstall it.

●     Restart your system.

●     Now, reinstall the printer software.

Final Thoughts

The HP printer offline error mainly indicates a connection issue. You can use the various fixes in this post to restore the connection. They will also help you find the root cause and ensure that you don’t encounter the issue repeatedly. If the measures don’t work, contact a printer expert.