<h1 data-path-to-node="0"><strong data-path-to-node="0" data-index-in-node="0">Guide: HP Network Printing Support &amp; Troubleshooting (2026)</strong></h1>
<p data-path-to-node="1">Network printing issues usually stem from a "communication gap" between your device and the printer&rsquo;s IP address. In 2026, HP has transitioned from the older <em data-path-to-node="1" data-index-in-node="158">Print and Scan Doctor</em> utility to the <strong data-path-to-node="1" data-index-in-node="195">HP App</strong> (formerly HP Smart) for resolving these network handshakes.</p>
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<h3 data-path-to-node="3"><strong data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="0">Understanding Network Printing Errors</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="4"><strong data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="0">Description:</strong> A "Network Error" or "Printer Offline" status occurs when the Windows/Mac spooler cannot reach the printer's specific network port.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="5,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="5,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">IP Address Mismatch:</strong> If your router reboots, it may assign your printer a new IP address. The computer still looks for the old one, causing a "Communication Error."</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="5,1,0"><strong data-path-to-node="5,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">WSD vs. TCP/IP:</strong> By default, Windows often installs printers using a <strong data-path-to-node="5,1,0" data-index-in-node="68">WSD (Web Services for Devices)</strong> port. These are notorious for dropping connections. Switching to a <strong data-path-to-node="5,1,0" data-index-in-node="166">Standard TCP/IP Port</strong> is the most reliable 2026 fix.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="5,2,0"><strong data-path-to-node="5,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Network Isolation:</strong> Ensure your computer is not on a "Guest" network or a 5GHz band if the printer is restricted to 2.4GHz.</p>
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<h3 data-path-to-node="7"><strong data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="0">Phase-by-Phase Network Fixes</strong></h3>
<h4 data-path-to-node="8"><strong data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0">Phase 1: The "Diagnose &amp; Fix" Tool (Modern Solution)</strong></h4>
<p data-path-to-node="9">Instead of manual troubleshooting, use the automated repair engine built into the 2026 HP software.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="10,0,0">Open the <strong data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="9">HP App</strong> on your PC or Mac.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="10,1,0">Click the <strong data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="10">Wrench Icon</strong> (Diagnose &amp; Fix) in the bottom-left corner.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="10,2,0">The app will automatically check the <strong data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="37">Print Spooler</strong>, <strong data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="52">Port Settings</strong>, and <strong data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="71">Network Handshake</strong>. Click "Apply Fix" if prompted.</p>
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</ol>
<h4 data-path-to-node="11"><strong data-path-to-node="11" data-index-in-node="0">Phase 2: Assigning a Static IP (The Permanent Fix)</strong></h4>
<p data-path-to-node="12">To prevent the printer from "disappearing" when the router restarts:</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="13,0,0">Print a <strong data-path-to-node="13,0,0" data-index-in-node="8">Network Configuration Page</strong> from your printer's settings to find its current IP (e.g., <code data-path-to-node="13,0,0" data-index-in-node="94">192.168.1.15</code>).</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="13,1,0">Type that IP address into a web browser to open the <strong data-path-to-node="13,1,0" data-index-in-node="52">EWS (Embedded Web Server)</strong>.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="13,2,0">Go to the <strong data-path-to-node="13,2,0" data-index-in-node="10">Network</strong> or <strong data-path-to-node="13,2,0" data-index-in-node="21">Wireless</strong> tab &gt; <strong data-path-to-node="13,2,0" data-index-in-node="36">IPv4 Configuration</strong>.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="13,3,0">Change the setting from "Automatic/DHCP" to <strong data-path-to-node="13,3,0" data-index-in-node="44">"Manual/Static."</strong> This "locks" the printer to that address.</p>
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<h4 data-path-to-node="14"><strong data-path-to-node="14" data-index-in-node="0">Phase 3: Switching to a Standard TCP/IP Port</strong></h4>
<p data-path-to-node="15">If the printer is "Offline" but the IP is correct:</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="16,0,0">On your PC, go to <strong data-path-to-node="16,0,0" data-index-in-node="18">Control Panel</strong> &gt; <strong data-path-to-node="16,0,0" data-index-in-node="34">Devices and Printers</strong>.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="16,1,0">Right-click your printer &gt; <strong data-path-to-node="16,1,0" data-index-in-node="27">Printer Properties</strong> &gt; <strong data-path-to-node="16,1,0" data-index-in-node="48">Ports</strong> tab.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="16,2,0">Click <strong data-path-to-node="16,2,0" data-index-in-node="6">Add Port</strong> &gt; <strong data-path-to-node="16,2,0" data-index-in-node="17">Standard TCP/IP Port</strong> &gt; <strong data-path-to-node="16,2,0" data-index-in-node="40">New Port</strong>.</p>
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<p data-path-to-node="16,3,0">Enter the printer's <strong data-path-to-node="16,3,0" data-index-in-node="20">Static IP address</strong> and follow the prompts. This bypasses the unreliable Windows WSD discovery.</p>
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<h3 data-path-to-node="18"><strong data-path-to-node="18" data-index-in-node="0">Specialized Support for Network Issues</strong></h3>
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<table data-path-to-node="19">
<thead>
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<td><strong>Support Type</strong></td>
<td><strong>Resource</strong></td>
<td><strong>Use Case</strong></td>
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</thead>
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<td><span data-path-to-node="19,1,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="19,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">HP App Download</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,1,1,0"><a href="https://123.hp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwistoae0rySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQrAM">123.hp.com</a></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,1,2,0">Official 2026 diagnostic software.</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,2,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="19,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Direct Billing/Network Help</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,2,1,0"><strong data-path-to-node="19,2,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">1-855-785-2777</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,2,2,0">Issues with Instant Ink &amp; Cloud syncing.</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,3,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="19,3,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">HP+ Concierge</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,3,1,0"><a href="https://hpsmart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwistoae0rySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQrQM">hpsmart.com</a></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,3,2,0">Priority support for "e" model printers.</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,4,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="19,4,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Community Forum</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,4,1,0"><a href="https://h30434.www3.hp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwistoae0rySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQrgM">HP Support Forum</a></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="19,4,2,0">Peer-to-peer fixes for complex server errors.</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
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<h3 data-path-to-node="21"><strong data-path-to-node="21" data-index-in-node="0">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)</strong></h3>
<p data-path-to-node="22"><strong data-path-to-node="22" data-index-in-node="0">Q: Why does my printer work on my phone but not my PC?</strong></p>
<p data-path-to-node="22"><strong data-path-to-node="22" data-index-in-node="55">A:</strong> This usually means your PC's <strong data-path-to-node="22" data-index-in-node="87">Firewall</strong> or <strong data-path-to-node="22" data-index-in-node="99">Antivirus</strong> is blocking the specific ports (9100, 515, or 631) that HP uses for network communication. Temporarily disable your firewall to test.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="23"><strong data-path-to-node="23" data-index-in-node="0">Q: Does HP still support the "Print and Scan Doctor"?</strong></p>
<p data-path-to-node="23"><strong data-path-to-node="23" data-index-in-node="54">A:</strong> No. As of <strong data-path-to-node="23" data-index-in-node="67">May 27, 2025</strong>, HP officially retired the Print and Scan Doctor due to security vulnerabilities. You should uninstall it and use the <strong data-path-to-node="23" data-index-in-node="198">HP App</strong> for all diagnostics.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="24"><strong data-path-to-node="24" data-index-in-node="0">Q: What is "SNMP Status Enabled" and should I turn it off?</strong></p>
<p data-path-to-node="24"><strong data-path-to-node="24" data-index-in-node="59">A:</strong> If your printer shows "Offline" incorrectly, go to <strong data-path-to-node="24" data-index-in-node="113">Printer Properties</strong> &gt; <strong data-path-to-node="24" data-index-in-node="134">Ports</strong> &gt; <strong data-path-to-node="24" data-index-in-node="142">Configure Port</strong> and <strong data-path-to-node="24" data-index-in-node="161">Uncheck "SNMP Status Enabled."</strong> This often brings the printer back online instantly.</p>