Fix printer offline on Windows or Mac, printer keeps going offline, printer status unavailable, and HP Smart app printer offline errors. Step-by-step computer-focused help for printer offline on Windows, printer offline on Mac, printer keeps going offline, printer status unavailable, and HP Smart app says printer offline.

Before you begin: Keep your printer, computer, router, WiFi name, and WiFi password nearby. If the printer display shows a paper jam, cartridge, power, or hardware error, resolve that physical issue first.

Common Causes

• The printer IP address changed after router restart.
• Windows or macOS is using an old printer entry.
• The printer is connected to a weak WiFi signal.
• The print queue is paused or stuck.
• Use Printer Offline is enabled in Windows.
• The computer and printer are on different networks.
• Printer software cannot communicate with the printer.
• HP Smart app is showing an unavailable printer status.

Step-by-Step Methods to Fix the Issue

1. Restart printer, router, and computer
   Restarting all three devices often refreshes the printer status and clears temporary offline messages.
2. Check printer power and network status
   Confirm the printer is powered on and connected to the same WiFi network as the computer.
3. Clear paused or stuck jobs
   Open the print queue and remove stuck print jobs that may keep the printer status offline.
4. Disable Use Printer Offline on Windows
   In Windows printer settings, open the printer queue and make sure Use Printer Offline is not selected.
5. Remove and re-add the printer
   Delete the offline printer entry and add the printer again so Windows or Mac can find the current network address.
6. Update printer software
   Install the latest printer driver or software from the official support website.
7. Check router and IP address
   If the offline issue started after a router change, reconnect the printer to WiFi and add it again on the computer.
8. Test print from the computer
   Print a test page to confirm the printer status has changed from offline to ready.

Other Issues Covered by This Troubleshooting Article

Printer offline on Windows	Printer offline on Mac
Printer keeps going offline	Printer showing offline after router change
Printer says offline but connected to WiFi	Printer says offline but connected to computer
Printer status unavailable on computer	HP Smart app says printer offline
HP Smart app showing printer unavailable	HP Smart app says printer status unknown

When the Printer Connects to WiFi But Still Will Not Print

If the printer connects to the router but your computer still cannot print, the wireless connection may be working while the computer setup is incomplete. Check whether the printer appears as offline, whether the wrong printer is selected as default, or whether a previous USB or network printer entry is still installed.

Clearing the print queue, reinstalling the driver, and adding the printer again by network discovery can often fix a printer connected to WiFi but not printing from Windows or Mac.

FAQ: Printer Offline on Windows or Mac

Why does my printer say offline when it is connected?

The printer may be connected to WiFi, but the computer may be using an old IP address, paused queue, wrong printer entry, or outdated driver.

How do I fix printer offline on Windows?

Restart devices, clear the queue, disable Use Printer Offline, remove old printer entries, and add the printer again.

How do I fix printer offline on Mac?

Restart the printer and Mac, remove the printer from Printers & Scanners, reconnect the printer to WiFi, and add it again.

Why does HP Smart say my printer is offline?

HP Smart may show offline if network discovery is blocked, the printer is on a different WiFi network, or the printer setup needs to be refreshed.

Can printer offline errors be fixed remotely?

Many offline errors caused by software, network, driver, queue, or HP Smart app issues can be reviewed remotely.