Fix HP Printer Offline Error on Windows 10 & 11 – Step-by-Step Guide

Seeing your HP printer marked as “Offline” when you try to print can be both frustrating and confusing. This error is common in Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems and typically means that your computer cannot communicate with the printer—even if it's turned on and ready. The good news? You can usually fix the problem yourself with a few simple steps.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective ways to resolve the HP printer offline error on both Windows 10 and 11 PCs.

🖨️ Why Is My HP Printer Offline?

The “offline” status usually means that your HP printer is not accessible to the computer. This can happen for several reasons:

• Faulty or loose USB cables (for wired printers)

• Printer disconnected from Wi-Fi or network

• Incorrect printer settings in Windows

• Outdated or corrupted printer drivers

• A stuck print queue or paused jobs

• Network or firewall issues

Fortunately, most of these issues can be easily corrected.

✅ Step 1: Check Physical and Network Connections

Start by ensuring the basics:

• For USB printers: Unplug and reconnect the USB cable. Try a different port if possible.

• For wireless printers: Make sure your printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.

• Print a Network Configuration Page from your printer to confirm it's connected.

• Restart your printer and router if the connection seems weak or unstable.

✅ Step 2: Set Your HP Printer as the Default Printer

Sometimes, Windows might automatically switch to another printer or a virtual device like “Microsoft Print to PDF.”

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Go to Devices > Printers & scanners.

3. Select your HP printer, then click Set as default.

4. If you see a check next to “Let Windows manage my default printer,” turn this option off to prevent automatic switching.

✅ Step 3: Disable "Use Printer Offline" Mode

Windows can occasionally put a printer in “offline mode” unintentionally.

1. Press Windows + R, type control printers, and press Enter.

2. Right-click on your HP printer, then click See what’s printing.

3. In the window that opens, click the Printer menu.

4. Make sure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked.

5. Also make sure “Pause Printing” is not selected.

✅ Step 4: Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler is a Windows service that queues and manages print jobs. If it’s stuck or not running, your printer may show as offline.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Scroll down and find Print Spooler.

3. Right-click it and choose Restart.

4. If it’s not running, select Start.

Wait a few moments and try printing again.

✅ Step 5: Clear Stuck Print Jobs

If a previous print job is stuck in the queue, it may cause your printer to go offline.

1. Go back to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your HP printer and select See what’s printing.

3. Right-click on any stuck job and select Cancel.

4. Repeat until the print queue is empty.

5. Turn your printer off and on again.

✅ Step 6: Reconnect Wireless Printers

If your HP printer is wireless, you may need to reconnect it to your Wi-Fi network.

1. On the printer's touchscreen, go to Wireless Settings.

2. Select Wireless Setup Wizard and choose your Wi-Fi network.

3. Enter your Wi-Fi password.

4. If your printer doesn’t have a display, use the HP Smart app or WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).

Once reconnected, your printer should appear online again.

✅ Step 7: Update or Reinstall HP Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can interfere with communication between your PC and the printer.

To update drivers manually:

1. Visit HP's official support site.

2. Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers for Windows 10 or 11.

3. Install the drivers and restart your computer.

To reinstall the printer:

1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

2. Select your HP printer and click Remove device.

3. Restart your PC.

4. Reinstall the printer using the HP Smart app or visit 123.hp.com.

✅ Step 8: Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

HP offers a free diagnostic tool called HP Print and Scan Doctor that can automatically detect and fix many common problems, including offline errors.

1. Download it from the HP website.

2. Install and run the tool.

3. Select your printer and follow the on-screen instructions to resolve issues.

This tool is especially effective if you're unsure where the problem lies.

🛠 Bonus Tip: Assign a Static IP Address

If your wireless HP printer keeps going offline repeatedly, try assigning it a static IP address:

• Access your router's admin settings.

• Locate your printer in the connected devices list.

• Reserve an IP address for it using its MAC address.

• On the printer, go to Network Settings and set that IP address manually.

This prevents the printer from changing addresses every time it restarts.

📝 Final Thoughts

The HP printer offline error on Windows 10 and 11 is a common yet fixable issue. Most of the time, a few simple changes—like resetting the printer, updating drivers, or changing a Windows setting—will get your printer back online.

If you’ve gone through all the steps and the problem persists, contact HP Customer Support or visit a local HP service center. But in most cases, following the steps above will restore your printing capabilities without the need for professional help.