Printer Offline

Wired or wireless connection?

Wireless

I deleted and re-installed the printer now I get 'printer error' when I check the printer.

Is the printer itself saying "Offline" on the panel or is it just Windows saying it is offline?

Are you connected via USB, Parallel, or Network?

If Network, can you pull up the web interface for the printer (requires JAVA). You can get the IP address from the printer. I usually just hit "Information -> Print Configuration"

Then just type in that address: example: http://10.10.10.10
If that doesn't pull up anything, even an error page, then chances are the JetDirect card is bad.

HP JetDirect 600, 610, and 620 were notorious for going bad. I think I have 5 of them that are bad or flakey.

If you don't have a statically assigned IP address for the printer, that really helps. The 4000 series came out before all the auto-detect stuff so Windows may not update the IP if it changes.
To statically assign from the printers buttons is easy, but time consuming. If you can pull up the web page and get into the JetDirect settings, you can assign it.
I can go into better detail if needed.
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If the printer itself displays offline, then there is a sensor that has gone wonky. Most likely the paper tray sensor.

Also, make sure the printer isn't set to manual feed in the settings. It can detect the tray 1 is closed and it will send the printer into offline more.

Some printers turn themselves off if left idle long enough, Mine does if it's not connected to a wi-fi router.. SOME of those (mine included) turn themselves ON if you try to print to them.. Not all do that, 2 printers ago Mind did not.

The HP 4000 will go to sleep, but the JetDirect card and Parallel/USB interfaces will stay on. Very reliable wake up.

Bear,
Thanks for the suggestions. Will look further into it today.
Tom

Went through the 'Add a printer' setup again and installed the printer. It installed the printer as 'Copy 1' and it seems to be working (for now). So now it shows the original installed printer and the second one (the Copy 1). Hopefully this will resolve the problem for good.

Look at the printer's online control panel (if it has one) or go through the menus on the printer itself. See if you can find a setting that permits the printer to go to sleep. Uncheck the box, if you can find it. Some routers and computers are more sensitive to this than others; some seem to have the ability to wake the printer up without difficulty.

tmmar wrote:
Went through the 'Add a printer' setup again and installed the printer. It installed the printer as 'Copy 1' and it seems to be working (for now). So now it shows the original installed printer and the second one (the Copy 1). Hopefully this will resolve the problem for good.

I would delete the original just to avoid confusion.