HP Printer Not Online? Fix It in 5 Minutes

Seeing your HP printer not online message just when you need to print an urgent document can be incredibly frustrating. This issue is one of the most common challenges faced by HP printer users, whether at home or in a business environment. The good news? It can usually be resolved in just a few minutes with a few smart troubleshooting steps.

When your printer status shows “offline” or “not online,” it means your computer and printer are not communicating properly. Sometimes, this can happen because of connection problems, outdated software, or system errors. Whether you’re using Windows or macOS, these quick and easy methods will help you bring your HP printer back online instantly.

If your printer displays an HP printer offline error too, don’t worry—it’s often linked to the same root causes and can be fixed in similar ways. 

Why Is My HP Printer Not Online?

Before jumping into solutions, let’s understand what this message actually means. When your computer cannot send a print command successfully, it marks your HP printer as “not online.” This problem can occur due to various factors, such as:

1. Network or Connection Errors

Unstable Wi-Fi or disconnected cables are the most common culprits. Wireless printers depend heavily on a strong network connection, while wired printers rely on properly functioning USB or Ethernet cables.

2. Outdated or Corrupt Drivers

One of the leading causes of printer communication failure is HP printer driver issues. An outdated or corrupt driver can prevent your system from detecting or interacting with your printer.

3. Incorrect Printer Configuration

If “Use Printer Offline” mode is enabled by mistake or the wrong printer is set as the default, your system won’t send print commands to the correct device.

4. Print Spooler Service Errors

The print spooler temporarily stores print jobs before sending them to the printer. When it crashes or gets stuck, your printer may appear offline or unresponsive.

5. Pending Print Jobs

Queued print jobs that failed or were paused can block all new tasks, causing the “not online” error to persist.

Quick Solutions to Fix HP Printer Not Online Issue

Let’s go through easy-to-follow steps that can help you resolve the HP printer not online problem in just a few minutes. Each method is effective depending on what’s causing the issue.

1. Check Power and Connectivity

Start with the simplest fix—ensure your printer is powered on and connected properly.

• For wired printers: Confirm the USB or Ethernet cable is securely attached. Try connecting it to another port.
• For wireless printers: Verify that your HP printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
• Check your router’s signal strength—if it’s weak, move the printer closer or reconnect it.

You can print a Network Configuration Page from your printer’s control panel to check its connection status.

2. Verify Printer Status on Your Computer

Sometimes your system settings might automatically switch to “offline mode.” To fix that:

For Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type control printers, and hit Enter.
2. Right-click your HP printer and click See what’s printing.
3. If “Use Printer Offline” is checked, uncheck it.
4. Click Set as Default Printer if not already selected.

For macOS:

1. Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your HP printer from the list.
3. If it’s paused, click Resume.

These steps alone can often bring your printer back online immediately.

3. Restart Devices

A quick restart can reset the communication between your printer and computer.

1. Turn off your HP printer and unplug it for about 30 seconds.
2. Restart your computer or laptop.
3. Turn the printer back on and wait for it to reconnect automatically.

Once everything powers back up, check if your printer status has changed to “online.”

 

4. Update or Reinstall HP Printer Drivers

As mentioned earlier, HP printer driver issues can cause your printer to show offline or “not online.” Updating the driver can solve this immediately.

Steps to update or reinstall drivers:

1. Visit HP’s official website and download the latest drivers for your printer model.
2. Install the driver manually or use HP Smart App for automatic setup.
3. After installation, restart your computer.

If you suspect your old driver is corrupted:

• Go to Device Manager → Printers, right-click your HP printer, and select Uninstall Device.
• Then reinstall using the new driver.

Once done, print a test page to verify if your printer is recognized and online again.

 

5. Clear the Print Queue

A stuck or pending print job can freeze your printer’s operation. Clearing the queue often fixes the issue instantly.

To clear the print queue:

1. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click your printer and choose See what’s printing.
3. Select Cancel All Documents.
4. Restart both your computer and printer afterward.

If your HP printer not printing error also appears, clearing the print queue is the most effective solution to resolve both problems.

6. Restart the Print Spooler Service

The print spooler manages all print jobs sent from your computer. If it crashes, your printer might seem offline.

To restart it:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find Print Spooler in the list.
3. Right-click and choose Restart.

Once restarted, your printer should appear online and respond to print commands again.

7. Run HP Print and Scan Doctor

HP provides a free troubleshooting utility called HP Print and Scan Doctor designed to fix connection and driver issues automatically.

• Download the tool from the HP official website.
• Run the program and select your printer.
• The tool will detect problems and apply quick fixes automatically.

This utility is especially useful for identifying driver conflicts or misconfigurations that cause the “not online” issue.

8. Assign a Static IP Address

For Wi-Fi-connected printers, changing IP addresses can confuse your computer. Assigning a static IP ensures the connection stays consistent.

1. Print your Network Configuration Page from the printer’s menu.
2. Type the IP address in your browser to access your printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS).
3. Navigate to Network Settings → IPv4 Configuration → Manual IP.
4. Set a permanent IP address.

Then, on your computer:

• Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Printer Properties.
• Click Ports → Add Port → Standard TCP/IP Port and enter the new IP.

This step prevents your printer from going offline after network changes or restarts.

9. Disable SNMP in Printer Port Configuration

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) can sometimes interfere with printer communication.

1. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click your printer → Printer Properties → Ports tab.
3. Select the active port and click Configure Port.
4. Uncheck SNMP Status Enabled.

Click OK and close the window. Your HP printer should now show “online.”

10. Reconnect HP Printer to Wi-Fi

If you recently changed your Wi-Fi password or router, your printer might still be trying to connect to the old network.

To reconnect:

1. On your printer’s touchscreen, go to Setup → Network → Wireless Setup Wizard.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
3. Once connected, try printing a test page.

This will help your printer reestablish communication with your computer over the correct network.

HP Printer Still Not Online? Try These Advanced Fixes

If your HP printer continues to show “not online,” the following advanced steps may help:

Run a Network Diagnostic

Use your printer’s built-in diagnostic tool (usually under Network Settings → Run Wireless Test Report) to identify connectivity issues.

Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings

Your firewall might be blocking printer communication. Temporarily disable it or add HP software to your allowed list.

Perform a Hard Reset

1. Turn off your printer and unplug it from power.
2. Wait 60 seconds.
3. Plug it back in and power it on.

This clears memory errors and reboots all internal systems.

When to Seek Professional HP Printer Support

If you’ve tried all these methods and your printer still won’t go online, there may be deeper hardware or firmware issues. In such cases, professional help can save time and effort.

You can contact HP printer troubleshooting experts for one-on-one assistance, whether it’s network reconfiguration, firmware updates, or hardware repair.

Preventing HP Printer Not Online Issues

A few small steps can help you avoid this problem in the future:

• Keep your HP printer drivers up to date.
• Regularly restart your printer and computer to clear temporary memory.
• Avoid changing your Wi-Fi network name or password frequently.
• Clean your printer’s queue after every few print jobs.
• Install HP firmware updates as soon as they’re available.

Related Issue: HP Printer Printing Blank Pages

Sometimes, a printer that’s back online may print blank pages due to ink, driver, or paper feed issues. If that happens, you can read this detailed guide on HP printer printing blank pages for quick fixes.

Final Thoughts

Your HP printer not online problem doesn’t have to ruin your day. In most cases, it’s just a communication issue between your computer and printer that can be resolved in minutes. Whether it’s a driver update, a quick spooler restart, or network reconnection, these solutions cover everything you need to get back to printing efficiently.

Remember, consistent maintenance—keeping drivers updated, ensuring a stable connection, and clearing print queues—helps prevent future issues.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

Why is my HP printer repeatedly showing "Not Online"?
Your HP printer may show "Not Online" due to connectivity issues, outdated drivers, or the "Use Printer Offline" mode being enabled. Restarting your printer, checking the network connection, and updating the HP printer drivers can usually fix this problem.

How do I get my HP printer online quickly?
To restart your HP printer, make sure it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, uncheck "Use Printer Offline" in Settings, and restart both devices. This usually resolves the issue in less than 5 minutes.

Can outdated drivers cause HP printers to appear offline?
Yes, outdated or corrupted drivers are one of the main reasons for HP printers to go offline. Download and install the latest drivers from HP's official website to ensure smooth communication between your computer and printer.

What should I do if my HP printer repeatedly goes offline?
If your HP printer repeatedly goes offline, assign it a static IP address, update the firmware, and reset the print spooler service. For complex issues, contact expert HP printer troubleshooting support for professional assistance.