HP Printer Offline? Here's How to Fix HP Printer Keeps Going Offline
Your HP printer shows "offline" even though it's working. HP Smart keeps reporting it offline. It keeps happening. Here's why—and exactly how to fix it.
1. The "HP Smart Software" Conflict
HP Smart software manages HP printer connections and status. When HP Smart is outdated, corrupted, or conflicts with Windows printer settings, it incorrectly reports printers as offline—even when they're working fine.
The Fix: Update HP Smart from Microsoft Store (open Store → search "HP Smart" → Update). If updating doesn't help, uninstall HP Smart completely, restart computer, then reinstall from Microsoft Store. Alternatively, remove HP Smart and use Windows built-in printer management—many HP printers work more reliably without HP Smart. Add printer directly through Windows Settings → Printers → Add printer.
2. The "WSD Port" Reliability Issue
Windows automatically creates WSD (Web Services for Devices) ports for HP network printers. These ports are unreliable—they drop connections frequently, causing HP printers to show offline even when connected to Wi-Fi.
The Fix: Switch to Standard TCP/IP Port. Find your HP printer's IP address (print network configuration page or check printer display → Network → WiFi Information). Settings → Printers → HP printer → Printer properties → Ports tab → uncheck current WSD port → Add Port → Standard TCP/IP Port → enter printer's IP address → Finish. HP printers are much more stable with TCP/IP ports than WSD ports.
3. The "HP Printer Sleep Mode" Problem
HP printers enter sleep mode after inactivity to save power. When sleeping, Windows may detect them as unavailable and mark them offline. Some HP models have aggressive sleep settings that trigger quickly.
The Fix: Disable or adjust HP printer sleep mode. Access printer settings through printer display panel → Settings → Power Settings → Sleep Mode → set to "Never" or increase timeout (e.g., 30 minutes instead of 5 minutes). Some HP printers have "Keep Printer Online" option—enable this. Alternatively, send periodic test prints to keep printer awake. HP Smart app may also have sleep mode settings—check there too.
4. The "HP Universal Print Driver" Issue
HP Universal Print Driver is a generic driver that works with many HP models. However, it can cause offline issues if it's outdated or conflicts with specific printer features. Some HP printers need model-specific drivers.
The Fix: Install model-specific HP driver instead of Universal driver. Go to HP website → Support → enter your exact printer model number → download driver for your Windows version. Uninstall Universal driver first (Device Manager → Printers → uninstall HP Universal driver). Install model-specific driver. Model-specific drivers are more reliable and less likely to cause offline issues. Check your printer model number on the front label or inside paper tray.
5. The "HP Smart Ink Level" Reporting Error
HP Smart checks ink levels frequently. If it can't communicate with cartridges (due to connection issues or cartridge chip problems), it may mark the printer as offline, even though printing works fine.
The Fix: Reset ink level reporting or disable HP Smart ink monitoring. Remove and reseat ink cartridges to reset chip communication. Update HP Smart software. If using third-party cartridges, HP Smart may report errors—consider using genuine HP cartridges or disabling ink level monitoring in HP Smart settings. Some HP printers allow disabling ink level checks in printer menu → Settings → Ink/Toner Settings.
6. The "HP ePrint" Service Interference
Some HP printers use HP ePrint service for cloud printing. If ePrint service has issues or conflicts, it can cause the printer to show offline in HP Smart, even though local printing works.
The Fix: Disable HP ePrint if you don't need cloud printing. Access printer settings → Network → ePrint → disable. Or disable in HP Smart app → Printer Settings → ePrint → turn off. This eliminates ePrint-related connection issues. If you need ePrint, ensure printer firmware is updated (HP Smart → Printer Settings → Updates → check for firmware updates). Restart printer after disabling ePrint.
Step-by-Step HP Printer Offline Fix
- Restart HP printer: Turn printer off, wait 30 seconds, turn back on. Wait for all lights to stabilize.
- Update HP Smart: Open Microsoft Store → search "HP Smart" → Update if available.
- Uncheck "Use Printer Offline": Settings → Printers → HP printer → See what's printing → Printer menu → uncheck "Use Printer Offline".
- Restart Print Spooler: Windows key + R → services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart.
- Switch printer port: For network printers, change from WSD to TCP/IP port using printer's IP address.
- Disable sleep mode: Printer menu → Settings → Power → Sleep Mode → set to Never or increase timeout.
- Update HP drivers: Download latest drivers from HP website for your printer model.
- Remove and re-add printer: Remove HP printer from Windows, then add it back fresh.
- Test without HP Smart: Remove HP Smart, add printer through Windows Settings, test if offline issue persists.
- Send test print: Verify printer is online and working correctly.
HP-Specific Diagnostic Guide
| Issue | Diagnosis | Action |
|---|---|---|
| HP Smart shows offline | HP Smart software issue | Update HP Smart or remove it |
| HP printer offline after Windows update | Driver compatibility issue | Update HP drivers from HP website |
| HP network printer offline | WSD port or connection issue | Switch to TCP/IP port |
| HP printer offline but prints | HP Smart reporting error | Ignore HP Smart status or remove app |
Need Professional Help?
If your HP printer continues to show offline despite trying these solutions, there may be deeper HP Smart conflicts, driver issues, or network configuration problems. Our technicians can help diagnose and fix persistent HP printer offline issues.
Contact SupportFrequently Asked Questions
HP printers go offline due to HP Smart software conflicts, network connection drops (Wi-Fi or USB), print spooler service stopping, HP printer sleep mode, incorrect printer port settings (WSD ports are unreliable), or Windows power-saving features. Fix by updating HP Smart software, ensuring stable connection, restarting print spooler, disabling sleep mode, switching to TCP/IP port for network printers, and disabling USB selective suspend for USB printers.
Bring HP printer back online: Turn printer off and on. Open HP Smart app or Windows Settings → Printers → right-click HP printer → See what's printing → Printer menu → uncheck "Use Printer Offline". Restart Print Spooler service (services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart). Update HP Smart software from Microsoft Store or HP website. For network printers, verify Wi-Fi connection and printer's IP address. Set printer as default. Send test print to verify it's online.
Yes, HP Smart software can cause offline issues if outdated, corrupted, or conflicting with Windows printer settings. HP Smart manages printer connection and status—if it malfunctions, it can incorrectly report printer as offline. Fix by updating HP Smart from Microsoft Store, uninstalling and reinstalling HP Smart, or using HP printer without HP Smart (add printer directly through Windows Settings). Some HP printers work better without HP Smart—try removing it and using Windows built-in printer management.
Fix HP printer offline Windows 11: Update HP Smart software (Microsoft Store → Updates). Ensure printer is connected (USB cable or Wi-Fi). Restart Print Spooler service. Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → HP printer → Printer properties → Ports tab → if using WSD port, switch to Standard TCP/IP Port using printer's IP address. Uncheck "Use Printer Offline" in printer queue. Disable USB selective suspend if using USB. Update HP printer drivers from HP website.
HP network printers show offline due to Wi-Fi connection drops, unreliable WSD ports (Windows automatically creates these), HP Smart software reporting incorrect status, printer sleep mode, or router issues. Fix by ensuring stable Wi-Fi connection, switching from WSD to Standard TCP/IP Port using printer's IP address, updating HP Smart, disabling printer sleep mode, restarting router if needed, and verifying printer's IP address matches port configuration. HP printers often work better with TCP/IP ports than WSD ports.
Yes, HP printers work without HP Smart. You can add printer directly through Windows Settings → Printers & scanners → Add printer → select your HP printer. Windows will install basic drivers. For full features, download HP Universal Print Driver or specific model driver from HP website. Some HP Smart features (ink levels, scanning) won't be available, but printing works fine. Many users find HP printers more stable without HP Smart, especially if HP Smart is causing offline issues.
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