Fix HP Printer Offline Error on Windows 10 & 11 – Step-by-Step Guide
- millsstanley94
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
Seeing a “Printer Offline” error on your Windows 10 or 11 PC when trying to print from your HP printer? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common and frustrating issues HP printer users face—but the good news is, it's often easy to fix.
This step-by-step guide will help you bring your HP printer back online and resume normal printing, whether you're using a USB or wireless connection.
🖨️ Why Does My HP Printer Say It’s Offline?
When your HP printer shows as offline in Windows 10 or 11, it means the computer is unable to communicate with the printer. Common causes include:
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers
Network or USB connection problems
Printer set to "Use Printer Offline" mode
Print queue errors or stuck jobs
Firewall or antivirus interference
✅ Step 1: Check the Basics
Before diving into deeper troubleshooting, confirm the following:
The printer is powered on
All cables are securely connected
The printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC (for wireless models)
No error lights or paper jams are present on the printer itself
If everything looks good, proceed to the next steps.
🔄 Step 2: Restart Devices
Sometimes a simple restart resolves the issue.
Turn off your HP printer.
Shut down your Windows computer.
Power off your Wi-Fi router (if using a wireless printer).
Wait for 30 seconds, then restart all devices.
Try printing again.
If the printer still shows offline, move to the next step.
⚙️ Step 3: Set Printer to “Online” Manually
Windows may have automatically set the printer to offline mode. Here’s how to switch it back:
For Windows 10 & 11:
Press Windows + R, type control printers, and hit Enter.
Right-click your HP printer and select “See what’s printing.”
Click the Printer menu at the top.
If “Use Printer Offline” is checked, click it to uncheck.
Also ensure “Pause Printing” is not checked.
Now try to print. If it works, your issue is solved. If not, continue below.
🔁 Step 4: Clear the Print Queue
A stuck or corrupted print job can also cause the printer to go offline.
Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your HP printer > “See what’s printing”
Click Printer > Cancel All Documents
Restart the printer and try again
Still offline? Let’s update your drivers.
🧩 Step 5: Update or Reinstall HP Printer Drivers
Corrupt or outdated drivers can disrupt communication between your PC and printer.
Option A: Automatically Update via Windows
Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
Expand Printers, right-click your HP printer
Select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software
Option B: Download from HP Website
Visit https://support.hp.com
Enter your printer model (e.g., HP DeskJet 2723, HP ENVY 6000)
Download and install the latest drivers and firmware
Restart your PC after installation
Now test printing again.
🌐 Step 6: Run the HP Print and Scan Doctor
HP offers a free tool to automatically diagnose and fix printing issues.
Download from https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/printscandoctor
Open the tool and select your HP printer
Click “Fix Printing”
Follow the on-screen steps to repair connection issues
This tool can resolve many issues instantly.
📶 Step 7: Reconnect Your Printer to Wi-Fi (For Wireless Models)
If you’ve recently changed your Wi-Fi network or password, your printer may have lost the connection.
Option A: Using the Printer’s Control Panel
Go to Settings > Wireless Setup Wizard
Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password
Option B: Use HP Smart App
Download the HP Smart App from Microsoft Store or 123.hp.com
Open the app and click Set Up a New Printer
Follow on-screen instructions to reconnect the printer
Once reconnected, retry printing.
🔄 Step 8: Remove and Re-Add the Printer
Removing and re-adding your printer can reset its status.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
Click your HP printer > Remove
Click Add a printer or scanner to reinstall it
Let Windows detect and install the device
This often refreshes the printer's status to "online."
🧼 Bonus Tip: Reset Print Spooler Service (Advanced)
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter
Find Print Spooler, right-click > Restart
Try printing again
📝 Final Notes
Ensure that your printer firmware is up to date
Avoid using multiple printer drivers for the same device
Use HP Smart App for easier wireless setup and status monitoring
✅ Conclusion
If your HP printer shows as offline on Windows 10 or 11, it's usually a simple connection, driver, or settings issue that can be resolved with one of the steps above. Start with the basics, move on to driver updates, and don’t hesitate to use HP’s own tools like the Print and Scan Doctor for fast fixes.
Still stuck? Consider contacting HP Customer Support for one-on-one assistance.
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