What to do when your printer is offline?
Jul 12, 2025 am 12:48 AMWhen your printer is offline, start by checking physical connections and power. Ensure the printer is on, cables are secure, and for wireless models, confirm Wi-Fi connectivity. Try different USB ports or cables if needed. Second, restart both the printer and your device to resolve communication glitches. Third, manually set the printer as "Online" in Windows settings if it’s mistakenly marked offline. Finally, reinstall or update printer drivers through the manufacturer's website or system tools. Following these steps methodically often resolves common printer issues quickly.
When your printer is offline, the first thing to do is check the basics: is it powered on, connected properly, and showing any error messages? Often, the issue isn’t complicated — just something simple that can be fixed in a few minutes. Here’s how to get your printer back online.

Check physical connections and power
Printers need both power and a stable connection to communicate with your computer or network. Start by making sure the printer is turned on and that all cables (USB, Ethernet, or power cord) are securely plugged in. If it's a wireless printer, ensure it's within range of your Wi-Fi router and that the signal is strong.

- Make sure the power light on the printer is on (not blinking or red)
- For USB-connected printers, try a different port or cable
- For wireless printers, check if it's connected to the correct Wi-Fi network
Sometimes simply unplugging and replugging the power or USB cable can reset the connection and bring the printer back online.
Restart the printer and your device
A quick reboot often resolves communication issues between devices. Turn off the printer, wait about 10 seconds, then turn it back on. While it's restarting, also restart your computer or mobile device to clear any temporary glitches in the system.

This is especially helpful if:
- The printer was working before and suddenly went offline
- You recently updated your operating system or printer drivers
- You're seeing an error like "Printer not responding"
After both devices are back up, try printing a test page to see if the issue is resolved.
Set the printer as "Online" manually
Sometimes the printer appears offline because the system thinks it is — even if it's actually ready. On Windows, you can check this through the Devices and Printers or Printers & Scanners settings.
Here's how:
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners
- Select your printer and click "Open queue"
- In the window that opens, go to Printer and make sure "Use Printer Offline" is not checked
If it was checked, uncheck it, close the window, and try printing again. This step doesn't fix every problem, but it's worth checking before diving into more complex fixes.
Reinstall or update printer drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause a printer to stop working entirely or appear offline. You can usually reinstall or update drivers through:
- Your printer manufacturer's website (look up your model and download the latest drivers)
- The built-in Windows printer troubleshooter (Settings > System > Troubleshoot)
- macOS System Settings under Printers & Scanners
Some printers come with their own software that includes tools for checking connection status or updating firmware. Don’t skip this step if you've recently upgraded your OS or installed a major system update.
That’s basically what you can try when your printer goes offline. Most problems are related to connectivity, settings, or outdated drivers — nothing too serious if you go through each step methodically. It’s not rocket science, but it does require a bit of patience and attention to detail.
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