How to Fix HP Printer Not Connecting to Computer – Step-by-Step Guide
- millsstanley94
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
When your HP printer refuses to connect to your computer, it can bring your productivity to a halt. Whether you’re dealing with a wired USB connection or a wireless setup, the cause is usually something minor—but identifying it quickly is key.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the most common reasons your HP printer won’t connect to your computer and provide clear solutions for both Windows and macOS users.
🖨️ Why Is My HP Printer Not Connecting?
Some of the most common reasons include:
Faulty or loose USB cable
Wi-Fi network issues
Outdated or missing drivers
Misconfigured printer settings
Print spooler errors
Conflicts after OS updates
✅ Step 1: Check Basic Connections
Let’s start with the simplest checks first.
For USB Printers:
Ensure the USB cable is firmly connected to both the printer and your computer.
Try using a different USB port on your computer.
Avoid using a USB hub or docking station. Plug directly into your PC or laptop.
Test with another cable, if available.
For Wireless Printers:
Make sure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
Restart your router, printer, and computer to refresh the connection.
⚙️ Step 2: Restart Devices
Restarting clears temporary glitches and refreshes drivers and services.
Turn off the printer and computer.
Unplug the printer (for 30 seconds), then plug it back in.
Restart your Wi-Fi router if using a wireless printer.
Power on everything again and attempt to reconnect or print.
🔁 Step 3: Remove and Reinstall the Printer
Sometimes your system may recognize the printer, but a connection issue causes it to fail.
On Windows:
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Click your HP printer > Remove.
Click Add a printer or scanner, then follow prompts to reinstall.
On Mac:
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Select the printer > click Remove Printer (-).
Click the Add Printer (+) button, and select your HP printer to reconnect.
🧩 Step 4: Install or Update HP Printer Drivers
Outdated or missing drivers can prevent the computer from recognizing the printer.
Option A: Use HP Smart App
Download the HP Smart App from https://123.hp.com or the Microsoft/macOS App Store.
Run the setup process to install drivers and connect the printer.
Option B: Manual Installation
Visit https://support.hp.com.
Enter your printer model (e.g., HP DeskJet 2723).
Download and install the latest drivers for your operating system.
Restart your computer after installation.
🖥️ Step 5: Set the Printer as Default (Windows)
If another printer is set as default, your computer may not send jobs to the HP printer.
Go to Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Click your HP printer > Manage.
Select Set as default.
Try printing again.
🌐 Step 6: Reconnect Wireless Printer to Network
If your HP wireless printer isn’t showing up, it might have lost its Wi-Fi connection.
Option A: Use the Printer Control Panel
Go to Settings > Wireless Setup Wizard on the printer screen.
Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
Option B: Use the HP Smart App
Open HP Smart > Add Printer.
Follow the prompts to reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi.
🧼 Step 7: Clear Print Queue & Restart Print Spooler (Windows)
A jammed print queue or a stalled spooler service can prevent proper communication.
Clear the Queue:
Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your printer > See what’s printing.
Cancel all documents.
Restart the Print Spooler:
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Scroll to Print Spooler, right-click > Restart.
Try printing again.
🔒 Step 8: Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily
Sometimes, security software blocks the printer connection—especially during setup.
Fix:
Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software.
Attempt to connect the printer again.
If successful, add the HP printer and software as an exception.
📱 Step 9: Test Connection from Another Device
To confirm whether the issue is with the printer or your computer:
Try connecting the printer to a different computer or laptop.
If it works there, the issue lies in your current computer’s settings.
If it doesn’t work, it may be a hardware problem with the printer.
🧰 Step 10: Use HP Print and Scan Doctor (Windows Only)
HP’s official troubleshooting tool can detect and fix many connection problems automatically.
Download from: https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/printscandoctor
Open the tool and select your printer.
Click Fix Printing or Fix Scanning as needed.
📌 Additional Tips
Keep your printer firmware up to date via the HP Smart App.
Ensure your operating system is updated to the latest version.
For USB connections, avoid using cables longer than 6 feet.
Use AirPrint on macOS if drivers are unavailable for newer OS versions.
✅ Conclusion
If your HP printer won’t connect to your computer, don’t panic. In most cases, it’s a temporary issue caused by outdated drivers, weak connections, or minor system glitches. This step-by-step guide should help you identify and resolve the issue quickly—whether you're using Windows or macOS, USB or Wi-Fi.
If your printer still doesn’t connect, it may be time to reach out to HP Support for further assistance or hardware diagnostics.
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