One of the recurrent issues that perturbs HP users is the HP printer offline state. Although there might not be any one reason for this issue but this issue needs to be mitigated in order to resume the printing operation. This article shall discuss about this issue and suggest ways that might resolve this problem.
When your HP printer shows an "Offline" state, it means that your computer is unable to communicate with the printer, and the printer is not ready to print. This issue can occur due to various reasons, but it is usually related to connectivity problems or printer settings. Here are some common troubleshooting steps to resolve the "HP printer offline" issue:
Step 1: Check Printer Connectivity:
Ensure that your HP printer is powered on and connected to the same network as your computer (if it is a network printer).
If you are using a USB connection, check that the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and your computer.
Step 2: Restart the Printer and Computer:
Turn off your printer and unplug it from the power source.
Restart your computer.
Plug the printer back into the power source and turn it on.
Wait for the printer to complete its startup process.
Step 3: Set the Printer Online:
On your computer, open the "Control Panel."
Go to "Devices and Printers" or "Printers & Scanners," depending on your Windows version.
Locate your HP printer in the list of installed printers.
Right-click on the printer and select "See what's printing."
In the new window that opens, click on "Printer" in the top menu.
If "Use Printer Offline" is checked, click on it to uncheck the option and set the printer back online.
Step 4: Restart Print Spooler Service:
Open the "Run" dialog (Windows Key + R).
Type "services.msc" and press Enter.
In the Services window, scroll down and locate "Print Spooler."
Right-click on "Print Spooler" and select "Restart."
Step 5: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers:
Go to the official HP website and download the latest printer drivers for your specific printer model and operating system.
Uninstall the existing printer drivers from your computer.
Install the newly downloaded drivers by following the installation instructions provided by HP.
Step 6: Check Printer Status on Mac:
If you are using a Mac, click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences."
Go to "Printers & Scanners."
Select your HP printer from the list and check if it shows "Idle" or "Stopped." If so, click on the "Open Print Queue" button and click "Resume" to bring the printer back online.