Is your printer showing “Offline” when you need it the most? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Printer offline issues are common with Wi-Fi, USB, and network printers. In this guide, we’ll show you simple, step-by-step solutions to reconnect your printer and start printing again.
Before fixing it, let’s understand the common reasons:
Wi-Fi disconnection or network changes
Outdated or missing printer drivers
Sleep mode or power-saving settings
USB cable or port issues
Stuck print jobs in the queue
IP address conflicts
1. Restart Your Printer and Devices
Turn off your printer, unplug it for 30 seconds, then restart your computer or mobile device.
2. Check the Connection
Wi-Fi printers – Make sure both printer and device are on the same network.
USB printers – Ensure the cable is firmly connected and try a different port.
3. Set as Default Printer
On your computer, go to Settings > Printers & Scanners and set your printer as default.
4. Clear the Print Queue
Cancel all pending print jobs and restart the print spooler service.
5. Re-Add the Printer
Remove the printer from your devices list and add it again, using the correct IP address if it’s a network printer.
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your printer → See what’s printing → Cancel all
Uncheck Use Printer Offline option
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Select your printer → Open Print Queue → Clear jobs
Click Resume to bring it back online
Always keep your printer drivers updated
Assign a static IP to your network printer
Avoid placing printers too far from the Wi-Fi router
Use the manufacturer’s official app (HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson iPrint, etc.) for easier setup