This post assumes you have an HP network-capable printer connected to a router with a LAN cable. Instructions for wireless connections and different types of printers may vary, but the overall approach should apply to most home networks.

Some time ago, I did a post entitled “HP Network Printer Going Offline,” in which I provided instructions on how to locate the printer’s IP (Internet Protocol) address and reset it in Windows. Unfortunately, if the printer has a dynamic IP address – an address that is assigned to it by the local server automatically, its address can change later, sending the printer offline once again. You then have to repeat the steps to have the printer setup use the right IP address.

A better way to proceed is to assign a static IP address to your network printer. The static IP address remains fixed, unchanged when the network server is restarted, so the printer remains online.

Identify Your Printer’s Network Settings

Before assigning a static IP address to your printer, first make sure the printer is online, as I explain in “HP Network Printer Going Offline.” This ensures that you are assigning an IP address that actually works.

To identify which IP address is currently assigned to the printer, do the following:

  1. On your HP printer, press the Setup button to display setup options for the printer.
  2. Press the right arrow button until Network Setup appears in the LED window, and then press the OK button.
  3. Press the right arrow button again until the Print Network Settings option is displayed, and then press the OK button. This prints the network settings, which include the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default Gateway (the address of your network’s router).

Setting a Static IP Address

Once you know your printer’s IP address, entering it is pretty easy. Here’s what you do:

  1. Run your Web browser.
  2. In the Web browser’s address bar, type the IP address of your printer and press Enter. Assuming you entered the right address, the HP printer control panel should appear.
  3. Click the Networking tab.
  4. Under Connections, click Wired.
  5. HP Printer Static IP Address

  6. Under IP Address Configuration, click Manual IP.
  7. Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway in the appropriate boxes.
  8. Click Apply.

You may need to restart the networked computers, so they can reconnect with the printer.