How to Fix Epson Expression XP-970 Printer Offline Error? (Full Guide)

Epson Expression XP-970 printer offline despite being turned on and connected? Common causes include loose cables, poor Wi-Fi, outdated drivers, or stuck print jobs. Don’t worry - this guide will provide the top 8 quick and easy solutions.

Last week, I tried to print a last-minute birthday invitation card, but nothing happened. Although the printer was on and the Wi-Fi connection was stable, it didn’t respond.

It can be frustrating at first if you're in a hurry to print something, but the solution is usually simple. This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through quick steps to get your Epson printer back online.

What Does Epson Printer Offline Mean?

When a printer is offline, it means the printer is not currently able to communicate with the device. Your printer might be powered on, but it isn't receiving commands from your computer or laptop. This can happen due to:

• Loose cable or network connection

• Wrong printer settings

• Outdated printer drivers

• Bugs in the print spooler service

• Wireless connection problems

Solutions to Fix Epson Expression XP-970 Printer Offline Error

An offline error on your printer usually indicates a problem with the connection between the printer and your computer or network. It can be caused by various issues, including loose cable connections, network problems, or even printer software issues.

Solution 1: Check the Basics First

• Move your Epson printer closer to the router for a better connection.

• Make sure your power cable is plugged securely into the printer and the wall outlet.

• If using a USB or Ethernet cable, make sure it's also securely connected to both the printer and computer.

• Print a network connection report to verify the connection.

• Try using a different outlet or a different power cable.

After checking all these, go to the next solution.

Solution 2: Restart Your Devices

• Please turn off your printer and then unplug it from the power source.

• Now, wait about 30 seconds, plug it back in, and then turn it on.

• Restart the computer.

• Reboot your computer to clear any temporary software glitches.

• If the printer is connected to the router, restart it and wait for 20 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on.

After restarting all devices, try printing to see if the problem is resolved.

Solution 3: Set Your Printer as Default

• First, go to the Start menu and then navigate to Settings.

• After that, select Bluetooth & devices.

• Then, click Printers & Scanners.

• Select your printer from the list available.

• Right-click the printer's name and select Open Queue.

• Under the Printer tab, choose Set as default printer.

Solution 4: Check the Printer Status

• Go to your computer's settings.

• Navigate to Devices, then Printers & Scanners.

• Find your printer model in the list. Drag the mouse over the icon.

• A pop-up will show up beside the icon displaying the status of your printer.

• Right-click on your Epson printer's name.

• Choose "See what's printing" or "Open print queue."

• Under the Printer menu, uncheck the Use Printer Offline option.

Attempt to print a document to see if the issue is resolved.

Solution 5: Cancel All Print Jobs

• Verify that no pending print jobs are keeping the printer in an offline state.

• Go to the Start menu on your computer and then Settings.

• Then, choose Bluetooth & devices, and then Printers & Scanners.

• Choose your printer’s name from the list.

• Click on Open print queue for the selected printer.

• Select them and choose Cancel from the menu.

Solution 6: Unpause or Resume Printing

• In Windows, go to Devices and Printers.

• Right-click the icon for your printer.

• Then, select "See what's printing."

• In the print queue, you should see the printer's status (Paused or Offline).

• If it's paused, click on the Printer at the top and then uncheck Pause Printing.

Solution 7: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

• Go to your Control Panel and then navigate to Devices and Printers.

• Right-click the printer and select Uninstall device or Uninstall.

• Go to the Epson website and download the necessary software for your operating system.

• Open the downloaded file and follow the steps displayed on your screen to complete the installation.

• After the installation, restart your device to check if the changes take effect.

Solution 8: Check Printer Spooler Service

• Launch the Run dialog by pressing the Windows + R keys, then type "services.msc" and press Enter.

• Scroll through the list of services until you find "Print Spooler."

• Whether the Print Spooler is running. If it's not, you can try restarting it.

• Right-click on Print Spooler and select Restart.

• You may need to wait a few moments for it to restart completely.

• After restarting, check if your Epson Expression XP-970 printer is now online.

      Frequently Asked Questions

Question

   How do I reset my Epson Expression XP-970 printer?

You can press the Home icon, select Settings, and then click Restore Default Settings in the control panel. Choose Network Settings and click Yes to confirm the reset. If that doesn't work, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the printer.

2. Use a pen tip or a paper clip to hold down the Reset button.

3. Keep holding the Reset button as you turn on the printer.

4. After a warning prints out, release the Reset button.

QuWill reinstalling Epson printer delete any files?

No, reinstalling a printer driver will not delete personal files. It only updates the system files needed for printer functionality. Reinstalling the driver is a common troubleshooting step for fixing connectivity problems or corrupted drivers. When you uninstall a printer driver, you are removing the software that enables your computer to communicate with the printer, not deleting your files.

QuHow to make offline Epson printer show as online again?

To bring your printer back online, follow the steps given below:

1. Confirm that the printer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

2. Unplug the printer and your router for a few minutes.

3. Open Devices and Printers in Windows.

4. Then, right-click your printer and click “See what’s printing.”

5. In the Printer tab, uncheck “Use Printer Offline” if it’s selected.

6. Clear all pending print jobs in the print queue.

7. Update your printer driver. If the issue persists, remove and reinstall the printer software.

Source: How to Fix Epson Printer Offline Error