How to Fix HP Printer Offline Problem on a Windows 10 Computer

HP printers are renowned for their quality and reliability, but sometimes they may show as "offline" due to connectivity issues. In this blog, we will walk you through five methods to resolve the HP printer offline issue on a Windows 10 computer.

Method 1: Check Printer and Network Connections

Follow these steps to ensure proper network and printer connections:

1. Check that the printer power cable is firmly connected and the printer is powered on.
2. Restart your printer, computer, and router to refresh the network connection.
3. Ensure your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or mobile device.

Method 2: Use HP Smart to Check Printer Status

Download and use the HP Smart app to diagnose the issue:

1. Download HP Smart from the Microsoft Store (or open the app if you already have it).
2. If your printer is not already added, click “+” or “Add Printer” and follow the instructions.
3. Once added, check the printer status in the app. If it shows offline, continue to the next method.

Method 3: Disable the “Use Printer Offline” Option

Ensure that the printer is not set to "offline" mode:

1. Go to Settings on your Windows computer and select Devices.
2. Click on Printers & Scanners.
3. Select your HP printer, then click Open queue.
4. In the window that appears, click the Printer menu and uncheck Use Printer Offline.

Method 4: Set Your HP Printer as the Default Printer

Make sure your HP printer is set as the default printer on your system:

1. Go to Printers & Scanners settings.
2. Select your HP printer model and click Open queue.
3. In the new window, click the Printer menu and choose Set as Default Printer.

Method 5: Fixing the Issue via Services

If your printer uses a WSD port, you may need to adjust service settings. Follow these steps:

1. Go to Printers & Scanners settings, select your HP printer, and click Open queue.
2. Click the Printer menu, then select Properties.
3. In the Ports tab, check if your printer uses a WSD port.

If your printer uses a WSD port, follow these additional steps:

1. Open the Start menu, search for Services, and open it.
2. Find Function Discovery Provider Host and Function Discovery Resource Publication.
3. Ensure their status is running and their startup type is set to Automatic. If not, right-click to adjust these settings.
4. If the issue persists, print a Network Configuration Report, add a Standard TCP/IP Port using the printer's IP address, and check the new port configuration.

Conclusion

HP printers are well-known for their durability and print quality. If your HP printer is showing an "offline" error on Windows 10, you can resolve it using these five methods:

1. Check Printer and Network Connections.
2. Use HP Smart to Check Printer Status.
3. Disable the “Use Printer Offline” Option.
4. Set as Default Printer.
5. Fixing the Issue via Services.