How to Fix HP Printer Not Showing Up on Network

If you're experiencing the frustrating issue of your HP printer not showing up on the network, don't worry – you're not alone. This problem can occur due to various reasons, but fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve it. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of fixing the issue and getting your HP printer back on the network.

Make Sure Your Printer and PC Are Connected to the Same Network

The first step in resolving this issue is to ensure that both your printer and PC are connected to the same network. Here's what you can do:

Check printer and computer network connectivity

1. Verify network connection on the printer: Check if your printer is connected to the network by accessing the printer's settings or network configuration page. Ensure that the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.

2. Check computer's network connection: On your PC, check if you are connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer. You can do this by going to the network settings on your computer.

3. Connect both devices to the same network: If your printer and computer are connected to different networks, connect them to the same network. This can be done by connecting your computer to the appropriate Wi-Fi network or by connecting your printer to a different network if needed.

Restart Your Computer and the Printer

Sometimes, the issue can be resolved by simply restarting your computer and the printer. Restarting both devices can help refresh their settings and establish a new connection. Here's why restarting can resolve the issue:

By restarting your computer, you clear any temporary glitches or errors that might be interfering with the printer's connection.

Restarting your printer allows it to reconnect to the network and establish a fresh connection.

Update Your HP Printer Drivers

Outdated or incompatible printer drivers can often cause connectivity issues. To ensure your HP printer is working properly, it's important to keep the drivers up to date. Here's how you can update your HP printer drivers:

Automatic driver update through HP website: Visit the official HP website and navigate to the support section. Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers available for your printer. Install the downloaded drivers, following the on-screen instructions.

Manual driver update through Device Manager: Alternatively, you can update the printer drivers manually through the Device Manager on your computer. Open the Device Manager, locate your printer, right-click on it, and select "Update driver." Follow the prompts to update the drivers from the internet or from a specific location if you have the driver files.

Reconfigure Your HP Printer

Reconfiguring your HP printer can often help resolve network connectivity issues. Here's how you can do it:

How reconfiguring the printer can help: Reconfiguring the printer resets its network settings and allows it to establish a fresh connection with the network.

Step-by-step for reconfiguring the printer:

1. Resetting network settings on the printer: Access the printer's settings or network configuration page. Look for the option to reset the network settings or restore factory defaults. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset the settings.

2. Reconnecting the printer to the network: After resetting the network settings, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. Access the printer's settings and follow the instructions to connect it to the network.

Change the Router Settings

If none of the above steps work, you can try changing the router settings to resolve the issue. However, it's important to note that changing router settings may require technical knowledge and can affect other devices connected to the network. We recommend seeking assistance from your internet service provider or a technical expert before making any changes to your router settings.

Experiencing your HP printer not showing up on the network can be frustrating, but with the troubleshooting steps mentioned above, you should be able to resolve the issue. By ensuring both your printer and PC are connected to the same network, restarting the devices, updating the printer drivers, reconfiguring the printer, and, if necessary, changing the router settings, you can get your HP printer back on the network and resume printing smoothly.

Remember to always refer to the official HP support documentation or seek assistance from their customer support if you encounter any difficulties during the troubleshooting process.