You would like to print a document but your HP Deskjet is offline? Unfortunately, this is an issue that you will most likely encounter at some point and it can get stressful. How can you fix this problem and proceed with your print?

If your HP Deskjet is offline, it could be because:

  • The printer is not properly connected Some drivers are outdatedThe printer is not properly set up

There are several reasons why this might be happening and, thus, there are different approaches to solve the issue. Read on to learn more. 

General Reasons Why Your HP Deskjet Is Offline

You are about to print a document that you need and you find that your printer is offline. What are some major reasons why this is happening? If you received a message saying that your printer is offline it does not mean that it is broken. It may just mean the following:

  • The printer has not been connected properlyYour driver is outdatedThe printer has not been properly set up

Luckily, these things are easy fixes. 

Getting Your Printer Back on Track

If you’re experiencing issues with your HP Deskjet going offline, there are several things you can do to try and fix the problem. If it persists, you should return it to the store or contact customer support to ask about your next steps. 

Check If The Printer Is Properly Plugged-in

A simple reason why your printer might be offline is that it is not powered. Check if the outlet is all the way pressed in as well as the power port going into the printer. If this did not solve your issue, let’s check other connections.

If you have a printer that connects directly to your computer using a USB port, check whether both sides are plugged all the way in. If the printer is back online, you are all set! Otherwise, here are some more steps to solve the issue.

The Printer and Device Are Not Connected To The Same Wi-Fi

For wireless printers, see if the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your device. Use the printer’s control panel or touchscreen to establish the connection to the desired router. You can watch this HP Support video to guide you through the steps.

If the printer is in online mode, you can stop here and proceed with your print. If that is not the case, continue to the next section.

Set Your Printer As The Default Printer

This is a common source of error when using a new printer or a new device. To set your printer as the default printer, you will need to:

  • Go into the Windows search bar and access Control Panel. You can also ask Cortana (Windows 10) to do so. Search for View Devices and Printers under Hardware and Sound. Find the printer you would like to use.Right-click on it, and select Set as default printer.

Is your printer online now? If so, you do not need to continue with the following steps. If it is still offline, keep reading for more help.

Update or Reinstall The Drivers

Outdated drivers or poorly installed drivers could be the root cause of your printer being offline. 

To update the drivers, follow these steps:

  • Search for Device Manager in the Windows search bar, or ask Cortana to do so (Windows 10).Look for Printers and open up the drop down menu by clicking on the arrow to the left. You can also double click on Printers to open up this menu.Find your printer, right click on it, and select Update driver.A new window will appear. Select Search automatically for drivers to find the latest available drivers for your printer.Click Install and restart your computer.

If this solved the problem, you are all set to start printing. 

More Tips

On the other hand, if no updates for the drivers were available, the next step is to delete and reinstall them. To delete the existing drivers:

  • Search for Control Panel in the Windows search bar.Click on View Devices and Printers under Hardware and Sound.Right-click on the desired printer and select Remove Device.Download and install the drivers for the corresponding printer from an official source.

Is the printer back online? If it is, you are done here. If the printer’s status is still offline, continue to the next step.

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

HP Print and Scan Doctor can help you fix other issues that could not be solved through the previous steps discussed here. To make use of this tool:

  • Download HP Print and Scan Doctor here.Execute HPPSdr.exe in your machine.Allow the software to make any necessary changes in your computer. You can trust it as it was downloaded from an official website.Run the program and find your printer. If the printer does not show up immediately after opening up the program click Retry.Select the printer and let the program find any potential problems.Follow the steps shown in the program and allow for any updates.

Did this work? Is your printer back online? If the issue persists and the printer is still in offline mode, the next step is to contact tech support or bring the printer to an official shop for further assistance.

Conclusion

Your HP Deskjet being offline can be a serious hassle that can throw a wrench in your whole day. Luckily, there are some easy things you can try to get it working again! With these tips, hopefully your HP Deskjet will connect successfully so you can print easily.