Your HP printer is switched on, but your computer still can't find it. Start with the connection checks below, then move to the fixes for Windows, Mac, or Chromebook. Leave the printing-system reset until you've checked the connection and print queue.
Start with the printer and its cable
Start here whether your printer uses Wi-Fi, USB, or Ethernet. The printer needs to be ready before you troubleshoot its software.
Turn the printer off.
Unplug it for 30 seconds.
Reconnect the power.
Turn the printer on.
Check for paper jams, an open cover, missing paper, or depleted supplies.
Resolve any of those problems before retrying.
For a USB printer, reconnect the cable directly between the printer and computer, bypassing any USB hub.
Try another USB port on the computer if the printer remains undetected.
Replace a damaged or excessively long USB cable.
On a Mac, allow up to 15 minutes for driver installation after connecting.
If you print over Wi-Fi, reconnect to your network
Save your work before restarting the printer, router, and computer. Disconnect your computer from Wi-Fi. Reconnect it to the network used by the printer.
Move the printer and computer closer to the router, with fewer obstacles between them. Enable the router's 2.4 GHz network if your printer requires that band. Select that network during printer setup; use 5 GHz only if your printer supports it.
On a touchscreen printer, open Setup, Network, or Wireless, then select Wireless Setup Wizard. Choose your network. Enter its password, including after a router, network name, or password change.
If the wizard is unavailable and both devices support WPS, select Wi-Fi Protected Setup or WPS on the printer. Select Push Button. Follow the printer and router prompts to connect.
Remove obstacles to HP app discovery
A VPN or competing wired connection is an obstacle to check when HP app wireless setup fails.
Disconnect your computer's VPN before trying discovery again.
Enable the computer's Wi-Fi.
Enable Bluetooth for setup. It assists discovery; Wi-Fi carries the printing connection.
Temporarily disconnect the computer's Ethernet cable during wireless setup.
Disconnect the printer's USB cable if it blocks Wi-Fi setup.
Open HP's official setup page.
Identify your printer.
Install the offered app or setup software. HP still supplies HP Smart for some devices.
In the HP app, click +.
Click Add a device.
Choose Set Up a New Printer or Choose an available printer.
Select your printer.
Complete the setup prompts.
In HP Smart, start with Set Up a New Printer or Add Printer.
Restore Wi-Fi setup mode when discovery fails
If the app still can't find the printer, restore wireless setup mode. This resets its network configuration. Use the procedure for your model.
On touchscreen printers with these menus, open Setup or the Wireless icon.
Open Network setup or Settings.
Select Restore Network Settings.
Confirm with Yes when prompted.
For DeskJet 2700-2900, 4100-4300, Ultra 4800, and 4900 families, first press Cancel.
Hold Wireless and Cancel together for five seconds until Power blinks.
Wait for continuous blue Wireless blinking.
For DeskJet Plus 6000/6400, ENVY 6000/6000e/6400e, and ENVY Pro 6400 families, instead hold the rear Wireless button for five seconds.
Wait for the status light to turn purple.
Complete setup in the HP app within two hours of restoring setup mode.
If discovery still fails, check your exact model's manual for its setup procedure, then try the diagnostics below. Button combinations differ across HP printers.
Let the diagnostics narrow it down
In a compatible HP desktop app, select your printer and open Diagnose & Fix. Other layouts use Printers > Diagnose & Fix or Diagnostics > Diagnose and Fix. Click Start, keeping the app open while you follow the results.
On Windows 11, open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters for troubleshooting options. Alternatively, open Microsoft's printer troubleshooting page and select Run the troubleshooter in Get Help. Follow its automated diagnostics.
For wireless problems, open the printer's Wireless, Network Settings, or Setup menu. Print Wireless Network Test. Follow the report's recommendations; button-only printers require their model-specific report procedure.
HP retired Print and Scan Doctor on May 27, 2025. Use Diagnose & Fix instead.
Repair the printer connection in Windows 11
These fixes address stuck jobs, an unresponsive printing service, and a printer entry that needs reinstalling.
For a listed printer that won't print, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > your HP printer > Open print queue.
Select … > Cancel all to remove pending jobs.
To restart the printing service, press Windows + R.
Enter services.msc.
Press Enter.
Right-click Print Spooler.
Select Restart. If Windows requires administrator rights, have an administrator complete this step.
If the connection still fails, return to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Select your HP printer.
Click Remove.
Return to Printers & scanners.
Select Add device to reinstall the printer.
For a network printer Windows still can't discover, open Add manually or The printer that I want isn't listed in the add-printer workflow.
Select Add a printer using TCP/IP address or hostname.
Click Next.
Choose Autodetect.
Print the printer's Network Configuration Report to obtain its network details.
Enter the printer's IP address in the Windows wizard.
Complete the installation prompts.
Get your Mac printing again
For a paused printer, open Print Center from the Dock.
Click Resume for a paused printer or Resume Job for a paused job.
To remove a blocking job, select it.
Click Delete Job.
If the printer is missing or its queue still fails, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer, Scanner or Fax.
Select the network printer.
Click Add. macOS uses AirPrint for compatible printers.
Try printing from TextEdit to test the new queue.
Remove the old queue if the new one works.
For a USB printer that remains undetected, hold Option while opening the Apple menu.
Select System Information.
Inspect the hardware list for your printer. Its presence helps distinguish an active USB connection from a printing software problem.
For a last-resort printing-system reset, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Control-click a printer or the empty printer list.
Choose Reset Printing System. This deletes all printer entries, completed-job information, and printer presets.
Add your printers again after the reset.
Save the printing-system reset until after the connection and queue checks.
On a Chromebook, save the printer locally
Open the time menu.
Go to Settings > Device > Printers and scanners > Print.
Under Other available printers, choose Save beside your HP printer.
Press Ctrl+P.
Open Destination > See more....
Select your HP printer.
If a saved printer has incorrect details, return to Settings > Device > Printers and scanners > Print.
Use the printer's More > Edit option to correct its details.
If it still won't connect, try manual setup under Other available printers > + Add printer manually. Enter its address, supported protocol, usually IPP, and queue, usually ipp/print. Click Add.
Persistent failures need a closer look
If reconnection and computer setup haven't helped, check software compatibility and network restrictions. Choose the check that matches your symptoms.
For driver or installation problems, open HP's printer downloads page.
Enter your printer's serial number, product number, or name.
Select Submit.
Select your operating system on the product page.
Install only the applicable software listed for that printer and operating system.
On an ARM-based Windows PC with a failing installer, use Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device, unless HP supplies model-specific ARM instructions.
If Windows Firewall blocks HP software, search for Windows Defender Firewall.
Open Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
Select Change settings. If Windows requires administrator rights, have an administrator make the change.
Allow the applicable HP programs for the network profile you use.
Retry the connection.
For a home router that prevents devices from communicating, sign into its local administration page.
Disable the relevant Client Isolation, AP Isolation, or Wireless Isolation restriction for your trusted printer network. Router menu paths differ.
Retry printer setup.
On a work or school computer, ask your administrator to resolve enforced printing restrictions or required printer configuration.
For continued failures, open the printer's Get help section in the HP app.
Select Contact us where available for your product and region.
Describe your printer model, connection type, and which checks failed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my document go to a different printer?
Check the default printer in Windows 11 under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer if needed, select your HP printer, and choose Set as default. In Chrome's print dialog, select your physical HP printer as the destination before clicking Print.
Can I use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi?
Yes, if your HP printer has an Ethernet port. Connect it to a router or access-point LAN port, keep the computer on the same network, and add the printer using network discovery. HP describes a steady green link light and blinking orange activity light as connection indicators.
Why does an Instant Ink payment error stop printing?
An Instant Ink account suspension blocks printing separately from Wi-Fi or USB discovery. For an explicit payment error, sign into your Instant Ink account and open Account > Billing or Shipping & Billing > Manage your payment method. Correct the payment details. HP says printing takes up to 24 hours to resume after a suspended account is updated.
Why won't a manufacturer driver work with Windows protected print mode?
Windows protected print mode uses the modern print platform with compatible Mopria printers. If your printer requires a manufacturer driver, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Printer preferences. Next to Windows protected printer mode, choose Turn Off > Yes, then reinstall the printer. If your organization enforces the setting, ask its administrator to resolve compatibility.
