How to Fix Canon Printer Offline Error? (FIXED)

Is your Canon printer showing offline? It’s a common issue faced by many users. My Canon printer was also offline a week ago, and I was really worried. It wasn’t because I didn’t know troubleshooting, but because I had to print important documents. You won’t believe it, but I froze for a moment. However, I quickly began working on it. There can be many reasons for a printer going offline, and it becomes challenging when the cause isn’t obvious. In my case, the cause was hidden, so I had to follow four to 5 troubleshooting steps to resolve it.

In this blog, I will inform you about the main reasons for a Canon printer going offline. If your printer displays an “offline” status on the screen, certain settings for your printer may be incorrect. So, I will go through every possible reason your printer might go offline and suggest the right solutions accordingly.

Method 1: Check Printer Connection

It’s the most basic step to get your Canon printer back online. Check if your printer is well connected to a USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi network. If you find the cables broken, replace them with new ones. Try to plug the USB cable into another port. Also, check your internet speed. If the problem still continues, proceed with the next troubleshooting methods.

Method 2: Restart Your Computer and Printer

It’s a basic troubleshooting method I always suggest when someone faces a technical issue with their device. Here are the step-by-step instructions on it.

Step 1: Restart Your Canon Printer

1. Disconnect your printer from the main power switch on the wall outlet.

2. Press and hold the power button on the printer to turn it off.

3. Reconnect the printer to the main switch on the wall outlet.

4. Press and hold the power button on the printer to turn it on.

Step 2: Restart the Computer

1. Click the Start button on the bottom-left of your computer screen.

2. Select the power button and select Restart.

That’s how you can restart both devices.

Note: If you’re using a Wi-Fi connection, you can also restart your router. To restart, unplug the router’s cable, wait 30 seconds, and then replug it into the socket.

Method 3: Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler service is a Windows feature that manages all the print tasks sent from the computer to the printer. If it’s faulty, the printer won’t recognize any commands coming from the computer. In short, the print spooler sends the print jobs to the print queue for printing. Here are the steps to restart this feature.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key and type “Services.” Select it from the results.

2. Locate the Print Spooler service under Services.

3. After that, you have to right-click on it and then select the Restart option.

4. Right-click again on the Print Spooler and select Properties.

5. Confirm that the Startup type is set to Automatic and then click OK to save the changes.

6. Try printing a file to verify that your printer is working properly.

This is how you can fix the offline printer issue in minutes. And you know what, it was the issue with my printer. This is why I referred to it as a hidden issue. Because it’s not visible like connections. So, if you are a Windows user, then make sure to follow this method carefully.

Method 4: Disable the “Use Printer Offline” Option

If you enable this option on the computer, then your printer shows an offline status. Hence, you need to bring your printer back online using these steps.

On Windows

1. Click the Start menu on the computer’s bottom bar, and search for Settings.

2. Under Settings, select the Bluetooth & Devices option.

3. Select Printers & Scanners, and choose your printer.

4. Click “Open Queue,” and then click “Printers.” Uncheck the “Use Printer Offline” option.

On Mac

1. If you’re a Mac user, go to System Settings from the Apple menu.

2. Select “Printers & Scanners” and then select your printer.

3. Next, select your printer and click on Open Queue.

4. Uncheck the Use Printer Offline option.

If that option is already unchecked, then follow my last troubleshooting method.

Method 5: Reinstall Canon Printer Drivers

It’s another major reason why a Canon printer may suddenly go offline. Printer drivers are the software or application installed on your computer. They serve as a medium between your printer and computer to send the print commands. If they are out of date, the printer may show an offline status. So, reinstall the drivers from Canon’s official website using these steps.

Step 1: Uninstall the Device

1. Press the Windows and R keys on the keyboard and type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open the Device Manager.

2. Locate your printer under Print Queues, right-click on it, and select Uninstall device.

Step 2: Download Printer Drivers

1. Now, visit the Canon Support page at ij.start.canon in your internet browser.

2. After that, type your printer’s name in the search bar and press Enter.

3. Select Software & Drivers on the next page.

4. The website usually detects your operating system automatically. If not, choose it from the drop-down list.

5. Select a suitable printer driver package for the Canon printer, and click the Download button next to it.

Step 3: Install Printer Drivers

1. Visit the Downloads folder on your computer, and double-click on the driver file.

2. Click Yes to allow the driver file to run on your computer.

3. Let the installation process begin and finish on the computer.

  Frequently Asked Questions

Question

What Does It Mean When a Canon Printer Says Offline?

If your printer shows an ‘offline’ message, it isn’t connected to a network or device. By network, it doesn’t only mean a Wi-Fi network; it also includes USB and Ethernet connections. When it fails to detect a network or device, it displays an offline error.

Question

What Are the Main Reasons for My Canon Printer Going Offline?

There are several reasons for a Canon printer to go offline. For instance, a poor wire or network connection, out-of-date printer drivers, or incorrect printer settings. A problem with the print spooler service can also make the printer go offline.

Question

Can My Canon Printer Show Offline Error When It’s Properly Connected?

Yes, a Canon printer can display an offline error even when it is properly connected to a device or network. It occurs when the printer drivers need an update, the printer is set offline, or there’s an issue in the print spooler service.

Source: How to Fix Canon Printer Offline Error