How to Fix HP Printer Not Detected by HP Smart?

If your HP printer is not detected by HP Smart, it can interrupt printing, scanning, and other essential tasks. The issue may be caused by network problems, outdated drivers, HP Smart login errors, or incorrect installation.

What Causes HP Printer Not Detected by HP Smart?

When the HP Smart app fails to detect your HP printer, the most common reasons include:

Printer and computer connected to different Wi-Fi networks
Outdated HP Smart application
Corrupted printer drivers
Firewall or antivirus blocking connection
Printer not activated or not set up properly
HP account login or signup issues

Identifying the cause will help you apply the correct solution quickly.

Step 1: Check HP Smart Login and Signup Issues

HP Smart requires you to sign in with an HP account.

To fix login or signup problems:

Open the HP Smart app.
Select Sign In.
Enter your HP account credentials.
If you don’t have an account, click Create Account and complete the signup process.
Verify your email if required.

If login fails:

Clear app cache (on Windows or Mac).
Reset your password.
Reinstall HP Smart.

Sometimes, HP Smart won’t detect printers if the account is not verified or activated properly.

Step 2: Restart Printer and Network

A simple restart often resolves detection errors.

Turn off your HP printer.
Unplug your Wi-Fi router.
Wait 60 seconds.
Plug the router back in and allow it to reconnect.
Turn the printer back on.
Open HP Smart and click Add Printer.

Ensure your printer and computer/mobile device are connected to the same wireless network.

Step 3: Download and Install HP Smart Properly

If HP Smart is not working, reinstalling it may help.

To download and install HP Smart:

Uninstall the current version from your system.
Restart your computer.
Download the latest version of HP Smart from the official source.
Install the application.
Launch it and sign in again.

After installation, click Add Printer and follow on-screen instructions to activate your printer.

Step 4: Activate HP Printer in HP Smart

Sometimes the printer appears offline because it hasn’t been fully activated.

To activate your printer:

Open HP Smart.
Select Set Up a New Printer.
Follow the instructions to connect the printer to Wi-Fi.
Confirm printer registration.

Make sure your printer firmware is updated during setup.

Step 5: Update HP Printer Drivers

Outdated drivers often cause HP printer detection issues.

To update drivers:

Open Device Manager (Windows).
Locate your HP printer.
Right-click and choose Update Driver.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Alternatively, uninstall and reinstall the printer driver completely.

Keeping drivers updated ensures smooth communication between HP Smart and your printer.

Step 6: Fix HP Printer Not Working on Network

If your HP printer is connected but not detected:

Check printer display for Wi-Fi status.
Run Wireless Network Test Report from printer settings.
Disable VPN temporarily.
Allow HP Smart through firewall settings.
Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool (Windows only).

Network interruptions are one of the most common reasons HP Smart cannot detect printers.

Step 7: Reset HP Printer Network Settings

If the printer still isn’t detected, reset its wireless settings.

Go to printer control panel.
Select Network Settings.
Choose Restore Network Defaults.
Reconnect printer to Wi-Fi using HP Smart setup.

After resetting, open HP Smart and add the printer again.

Step 8: HP Smart Update and App Troubleshooting

An outdated app may fail to detect printers.

To update HP Smart:

On Windows: Update through Microsoft Store.
On Mac: Update via App Store.
On Mobile: Update through Play Store or App Store.

If the app still does not work:

Clear cache and temporary files.
Reinstall the app.
Check system compatibility.

Step 9: Contact HP Customer Support

If none of the troubleshooting steps fix the issue, contact HP customer service.

When contacting support, keep the following ready:

Printer model number
HP Smart app version
Operating system version
Network type (Wi-Fi/USB)

HP customer support can assist with advanced troubleshooting, firmware updates, or service repair if needed.

Prevent Future HP Smart Detection Issues

To avoid this issue again:

Keep HP Smart updated
Update printer firmware regularly
Maintain stable Wi-Fi connection
Avoid switching networks frequently
Restart printer periodically

Proper maintenance ensures your HP printer remains connected and functional.

Conclusion

If your HP Printer is not detected by HP Smart, the problem is usually related to network settings, outdated drivers, login errors, or improper installation. By following the steps above — including login/signup verification, reinstalling HP Smart, updating drivers, resetting network settings, and contacting customer support — you can quickly restore your printer connection.