How can I resolve the ‘HP printer offline’ error

In this article, we will discuss several HP printer offline issues. We will also provide solutions to all these issues.

An HP printer will go offline due to the following reasons:

1. Outdated Drivers

HP printers require drivers to function properly. The drivers enable the printer to understand the data that is sent from the computer. These drivers require an update from time to time to enable the HP printer to maintain its effectiveness.

However, when an HP printer’s driver is out-of-date, it is no longer able to serve as the communication bridge between the printer and the computer. Hence, the computer cannot identify the printer, and sometimes might be the reason why your HP printer appears offline.

2. Connection Issues

For your HP printer to work, it must be properly connected to your computer and access point or router as the case may be. If any connection (wired or wireless) isn’t properly done, it could cause your HP printer to go offline even though it is plugged into the power outlet.

3. A Settings Error

There are a lot of settings on your HP Printer to change the operation of your machine. There are also settings you could change on your computer or router that could affect your printer’s performance. Therefore, if your HP printer displays “offline”, then it could be due to an error in the settings of your printer, computer, or router.

Now that you know the reasons for your HP printer offline error, let us look at how to fix an HP printer that is offline.

Why Does My HP Printer Say Offline On My Mac? [How to Fix]

If your HP printer is offline on Mac, you can fix it by trying the following troubleshooting:

1. Run Diagnose & Fix

How to Run Diagnose & Fix App

Follow the steps below to run Diagnose and Fix application:

Step 1: If you don’t have the HP Smart application, click here to download it for your Mac.

Step 2: Go to the HP Smart application on your computer.

Step 3: Create a new account if you don’t have one. If you have an account, simply sign in.

Step 4: Then open the Diagnose and Fix application. To do this, click on “Printers”, then click on “Diagnose & Fix”.

Step 5: Click on “Start”.

Ensure that the app is kept open while you run the troubleshooter.

Step 6: If any issue is detected, just follow the on-screen instructions.

If your HP printer is offline on Mac, then this troubleshooting should fix it.

If it doesn’t, then move to the following option…

2. Remove then Re-add your HP Printer

If your HP printer keeps going offline on Mac, then removing and re-adding the printer might fix the issue.

How to Remove and Re-add HP Printer on Mac

To remove and then re-add your HP printer on your Mac, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Click on the Apple icon.

Step 2: Click on “System Preferences”.

Step 3: Click on “Printers & Scanners” or “Print and Fax” or “Print and Scan” depending on your Mac version.

Step 4: Highlight your HP printer, and click on the “-“(minus) sign. You can find the sign below the printers’ list.

Step 5: Click on “Delete Printer”.

Step 6: Click on the “+” (plus) sign.

Step 7: Choose your HP printer from the listed devices.

Step 8: Click on the field for “Print Using” or “Use”.

Step 9: From the dropdown options, choose “AirPrint”.

Step 10: Click on “Add”.

3. Reset your Mac’s Print System

If your HP printer is showing “offline” on Mac, then resetting the device’s print system might be the solution to the problem. This reset process fixes errors by clearing print jobs that are pending, printer’s preferences, and removes all printers that have been added.

How to Reset Print System on Mac

Do the following to reset the print system on Mac:

Step 1: Click on the Apple icon.

Step 2: Click on “System Preferences”.

Step 3: Click on “Printers & Scanners” or “Print and Fax” or “Print and Scan” depending on your Mac version.

Step 4: On the list of printers, right-click anywhere.

Step 5: Click on “Reset printing system”.

Step 6: Click on “Reset” to verify your choice.

Step 7: Type in the administrator name as well as password.

Step 8: Click on “OK”. Doing this will complete the process.

Step 9: After the completion of the reset, you can then re-add your HP printer using the instructions we gave earlier.

4. Set Up a Manual IP Connection (For Wireless Connection) 

How to Set Up a Manual IP Connection for your HP Printer on Mac

Do the following to set up a manual IP connection for your HP printer on Mac:

Step 1: Print out a Wireless Network Test Results or Network Configuration page.

Step 2: Look for the printer’s Wireless Status, Subnet Mask, IP Address, URL, and Default Gateway on the printed out Wireless Network Test Results or Network Configuration page.

Step 3: Make sure that the “Status” is shown as “Connected” in the “802.11 Wireless” section.

Step 4: Look for the printer’s Wireless Status, Subnet Mask, IP Address, URL, and Default Gateway in the “802.11 Wireless” section.  If the IPv4 and IPV6 numbers are different, then use the one for IPv4 alone.

Step 5: Look for the “URL(s) for Embedded Web Server” in the “General Information” section.

Step 6: Using a computer that is using the same network your HP printer is connected to, open a browser and then type in the URL before pressing Enter on your keyboard.

This action should cause your HP printer’s EWS (Embedded Web Service) to open. If it doesn’t, then you should use another browser.

Step 6: Click on the tab labeled “Networking” or “Network” in your HP printer’s EWS.

Step 7: Look for the Wireless menu and open it.

Step 8: Click on “IPv4 Configuration”.

Step 9:  Choose “Manual IP”, and then supply your HP printer’s information.

You can auto-fill the fields by clicking on “Suggest a Manual IP Address”. However, you need to ensure that the details in the field match the details of your Wireless Network Test Results or Network Configuration page.

If “Suggest a Manual IP Address” is unavailable, then simply type in the details for the required fields.

Step 10: Click on “Apply” and wait for the confirmation of the changes.

Step 11: Click on the Apple icon.

Step 12: Click on “System Preferences”.

Step 13: Click on “Printers & Scanners” or “Print and Fax” or “Print and Scan” depending on your Mac version.

Step 14: Click on the Plus (+) sign.

Step 15: Choose the tab labeled “IP”. You can find it at the Add window’s upper bar.

Step 16: Locate the Address field, and type in the IP address of your HP printer.

Step 17: From the dropdown options for “Protocol”, choose “HP Jetdirect – Socket”.

Step 18: Go to the field for “Name”, and type in your HP printer’s name.

Step 19: Then select “Generic PostScript Printer” in the field for “Use”

Step 20: Click on “Add”, then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup.

The above troubleshooting should change your HP printer from offline to online on Mac for all Mac OS including HP printer is offline on Macbook pro and HP printer is offline on Mac Big Sur.

If it doesn’t, then you can contact HP for help.

Fix HP Printer in Error State:

Encountering technical errors with printers is the worst-case scenario for the daily user. But in case you have encountered such an issue and you are wondering why this error occurs, then we have some surprising information for you! Before we move towards How to Fix HP Printer In Error State, let us figure out the reasons behind this issue:

1. Internet connectivity issues.
2. Outdated printer drivers.
3. Loew ink levels.
4. Open ink cartridge cover.
5. Jammed paper.
6. Broken wires.
7. Corrupted device files.
8. Out of paper.

Simple Ways To Fix HP Printer In Error State

Any kind of error can halt your printer working and impact your efficiency as well. Therefore, it is highly recommended to get your printer out of the Error State. Below we have answered your question How To Fix HP Printer In Error State in the most effective and efficient manner. Try out these methods and get your HP Printer back up and running.

Reinstall HP Printer Drivers

The first and the foremost thing that you need to try out in order to fix this issue is to reinstall the drivers of the HP Printer. Outdated or corrupted drivers of the printers can make things difficult for the printer. Therefore, follow these steps to fix HP Printer In Error State:

1. Go to Start > Control Panel > View By Large Icons.
2. Now, hit the Devices and Printers option and choose HP Printer.
3. Click right on the HP Printer logo and choose the option Remove Device.
4. Follow the steps to uninstall the device. Once done, restart the device.
5. Once the device the back on, plug in the printer and install the printer drivers by following all the instructions.

Change Port Settings

Port settings of the printer play a crucial role in the working of the device. Therefore, it is recommended to change the port settings if your device has entered the error state. Here’s, How To Fix HP Printer In Error State:

1. Hit the Windows + R key and enter the command “devmgmt.msc” > hit Enter.
2. Device manager will open > Click on View > hit the option Show hidden device.
3. Choose the properties option by clicking right on the Ports option.
4. Under the properties tab, enter the Port Settings and choose the option Use any interrupt assigned to the port.
5. Check the box located near the option Enable legacy plug and play detection.
6. Hit the Ok button.
7. Once done, reboot the device and check whether the issue has been fixed or not.

Power Cycle Printer

You can also resolve this issue by doing a power cycle. So, How to Fix HP Printer In Error State? Simply by performing a power cycle. Here are the steps to perform this method:

1. At first, turn off your HP printer by hitting the power button on your device.
2. Let the device turn off completely.
3. Remove all the wires, USB cables, and the power cord attached to the device.
4. Wait for a few seconds before moving further.
5. Re-attach the wires, USB cables, and the power cord to the device.
6. Turn on the HP Printer.
7. Let the device come in a stable position.
8. Now, check whether the issue has been fixed or not.

These were the Simple Ways To Fix Printer is In Error State .