Printer keeps going "offline" Windows 11

Hi,

the following steps worked for me and survived 4 reboots within 2 days with an HP OfficeJet 6950 All-in-One. No idea if this lasts longer....

Unfortunately I do not have the time for a thourough testing, but maybe it works for you or gives you an idea.

Or even a better solution.

1. Uninstall the printer
2. Uninstall the "HP Smart" App (in case installed)
3. Reboot
4. Ensure the computer can access the printer in the network, e.g. via the printer's IP-address in the browser (HP has an Embedded Web Server in the printer)
5. Install the "HP Smart" App via the Microsoft store - do not install the printer directly via Windows.

My assumption is, that Win 11 is focusing on the manufacturers' printer apps instead on the printer drivers (although the drivers are offered via Windows itself).

I arrived here as the issue I have is that the PC / Windows 11 THINKS the printer is offline but it actually isn't! In fact, I spent the best part of my day trying all the HP solutions only to discover the reason I couldn't get the printer Online was because it actually always was online. It's just my PC thinks it's off.

What I found was the PC thinks the printer is offline every time the PC goes to 'sleep'.

The above is the closest I have come to yet to describing the issue. In my case (a Brother printer/scanner connected via ethernet) would show offline even though it was on, not sleeping, and ready for printing. I could sometimes print, but it would be stuck in the queue/spool for a few minutes, showing "error printing", but then eventually print.

I just found, and downloaded the "Network Connection Repair Tool" from support.brother .com and it seems to have found and fixed a problem (reconfigure printer port), so fingers crossed.

The that sound like what happens to mine. Printer says it’s functioning but pc doesn’t, thanks so much for your help.