HP printer offline? How to fix it on Windows, Android and iPhone

HP explains that you see "printer offline" when your device can't communicate with the printer. The printer itself is usually fine. Common causes are a router restart that gave the printer a new address, the printer and laptop on different Wi-Fi networks, a loose cable, or Windows sending jobs to an old copy of the printer.

Power cuts and voltage fluctuations make this especially common: after the power returns, the router and printer may come back in a different order. A quick restart in the right order fixes most cases.

HP's steps, in order. Check whether the printer is back online after each one:

• Restart everything. Turn off the printer (unplug it if it won't turn off), turn off the computer, restart the router, then turn the printer and computer back on.
• Check the network. Make sure the computer and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network name, not the printer's own "DIRECT-xx-HP" network. The printer's wireless light should be solid, not blinking. Move it closer to the router if the signal is weak.
• Unplug any USB cable if you print over Wi-Fi. On a trusted home or office network, set the Windows network profile to Private instead of Public.
• Check cables. For Ethernet, try another router port. For USB, plug directly into the computer, not a hub, with a cable under 3 metres.
• Run Diagnose & Fix in the HP app (from 123.hp.com or the Microsoft Store).
• Remove and re-add the printer in the HP app.
• Update the printer firmware from the printer's settings or the HP app. Don't turn the printer off during the update.
• Set it as the default printer: in Printers & scanners, untick "Let Windows manage my default printer", choose your printer and set it as default. If you see duplicate copies, choose the one that's online.
• Remove the printer from Windows and add it again.

If none of these work, HP describes adding a printer port using the printer's network address, which is worth asking a technician or IT person to do.

If Android says "This printer isn't available right now", HP recommends:

• Install the HP Print Service Plugin from the Play Store, then print again and pick the printer name that isn't greyed out.
• Restart the printer, the router (unplug it for 10 seconds) and the phone.
• Wake the printer by touching its screen or pressing power, and check its wireless light is on and it's on the same network as the phone.
• Clear the Android print spooler: in Settings, show system apps, find Print Spooler, clear its data, then restart the phone.
• If it still fails, print with Wi-Fi Direct or the HP app.

If your iPhone says "No AirPrint Printers Found", make sure the printer and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network, restart the printer, phone and router, and confirm the printer supports AirPrint. Many current HP models do, including the HP Smart Tank 581. The HP app can also find and print to the printer.

If the printer won't connect even with a USB cable, its wireless light never comes on, or the screen shows errors, there may be a fault. Get a repair quote and compare it with the price of a new printer before deciding; small HP printers are often cheaper to replace than to fix. Our printer price list shows current prices, and our small office printer guide helps you choose.