HP's offline article is a short ladder, and the order matters because each step is cheaper than the next. First restart everything: turn the printer off with its power button, or pull the power cord if it will not turn off; restart the computer or phone you print from; and if the printer is on your network, restart the router. If the printer is on wifi, disconnect the computer or phone from the network name and reconnect it to the exact name the printer uses,
The checks in more detail
since a device on a different band, a guest network or a mesh node can look like an offline printer. Plug the printer straight into a wall outlet, as HP recommends, and check the wireless light on the control panel: solid blue means connected. Second, run Diagnose & Fix in the HP app on Windows or macOS: open the app, click the printer, choose Diagnose & Fix, click Start and let the analysis finish without closing the app, then follow the results.
Third, remove and re-add the printer: in the HP app, click the printer, scroll to the bottom and choose Remove from app, then Add Printer and repeat setup with the printer on the same network as the computer or connected by USB. Advanced steps in HP's article cover updating the printer firmware and resolving offline status in Windows or macOS settings, where the printer entry can be set to use the wrong port or an old address.
If the router changed, the printer's address may have changed too, so print a network report and compare. It also helps to give the printer a fixed address in the router's settings once it is working, so that a router restart cannot move it, and to keep a note of the printer's network name and IP address from a network report. Many offline problems return after a router change, so that note saves time later.
Differential
Likely causes of “HP printers is offline or unavailable”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A stale connection
What separates it The printer shows offline because a stale connection is holding on to old details
How to confirm Restart the printer, the device and the router, and let each settle
- 2
A device on a different network
What separates it The device cannot find the printer because it is on a different network
How to confirm Join the same network name on the device that the printer uses
- 3
A changed router address
What separates it It worked before but is offline now because the router address has changed
How to confirm Reconnect the printer to the network, or re-add it in the HP app
- 4
A wrong port in the computer
What separates it The printer shows offline in Windows because the computer uses a wrong port
How to confirm Remove the printer from the computer and add it again, so it gets the right port
- 5
An error state on the printer
What separates it A light or a message shows because the printer is in an error state
How to confirm Clear the error on the printer first, and then check the connection
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The printer model and the wireless light state
- The network name on the printer and on the device
- Whether other devices on the network can print to the printer
- Any message on the control panel
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRestart everything
ReversibleRestart everything, meaning the printer, the device and the router, one after another, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Match the network
ReversibleMatch the network, so that the printer and the device are on the same network name.
Check the wireless light
ReversibleCheck the wireless light, since a solid blue light means that the printer is connected.
Run Diagnose & Fix
ReversibleRun Diagnose and Fix in the HP app, which tests the connection and repairs it.
Remove and re-add
ReversibleRemove and re-add the printer in the HP app, so that it gets a fresh connection.
Update firmware
ReversibleUpdate the firmware if the printer is reachable, since updates fix connection bugs, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reset network settings
ReversibleReset the network settings as a last resort, and then set the printer up again.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Supported lines
- HP's offline steps apply across OfficeJet Pro, ENVY, DeskJet, LaserJet and Smart Tank printers that use the HP app.
- Wireless light
- The wireless light position differs by model, so check your printer's control panel.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models OfficeJet Pro 9125e, OfficeJet Pro 9015e, OfficeJet Pro 8025e, ENVY Inspire 7955e, ENVY 6455e, DeskJet 4155e, Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw, LaserJet Pro 4101fdw, LaserJet M234sdwe, Smart Tank 7602, Smart Tank 5101.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the printer stays offline after restart, Diagnose & Fix and re-adding, print a network report and check the router
- !If the wireless light never turns solid blue, restore wifi setup mode
- !If it is offline on USB, replace the cable and port
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Restart, same network, Diagnose & Fix and re-adding the printer.
Setup mode, network test report and router placement.
Installing the HP app and setting up.
Advanced Settings and Check for Update.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does the solid blue wireless light mean?+
A solid blue wireless light means that the printer is connected to the network.
What is Diagnose & Fix?+
A tool in the HP app for Windows and macOS.
Do I need the HP app?+
HP recommends it for setup and diagnostics.
Should the printer plug into a power strip?+
HP recommends a wall outlet, and not a power strip, for the printer.
Can a guest network cause offline?+
Yes, a guest network can cause the printer to show offline, since it keeps devices apart.
Can a new router cause it?+
Yes, a new router can cause it, since the printer must join the new network.
How do I re-add the printer?+
Remove it from the app and run Add Printer.
Does USB avoid offline?+
Yes, USB avoids the problem, because it takes the network out of the picture.
Does USB avoid network problems?+
It removes network causes, which helps you to tell whether a print problem is with the printer or the network.
What is a network report?+
It is a printout of the printer's wifi status and signal strength, which helps to diagnose connection problems.
Can I clean the scanner glass?+
Yes, use a soft dry or slightly damp lint free cloth, and do not spray liquid directly onto the glass.
What is Instant Ink?+
Instant Ink is an HP subscription that ships ink based on the number of pages that you print.