Medium severity Connectivity Code: Printer Offline

Printer shows "Offline" and won't print

Your computer lists the printer as Offline even though it is powered on. This is almost always a communication problem between Windows/Mac and the printer, not a hardware fault.

Symptoms

  • Status reads "Printer offline" in Settings
  • Jobs sit in the queue and never print
  • Printer powered on but unreachable

Likely causes

  • Printer dropped off Wi-Fi or changed IP address
  • The "Use Printer Offline" option got toggled on
  • Stuck print queue
  • Sleep/standby breaking the connection

How to fix it — step by step

Work through these in order; most people are fixed by the first two or three.

Power-cycle everything

Turn off the printer, your router and your PC. Wait 30 seconds, then power them back on in that order. This clears most temporary offline states.

Uncheck "Use Printer Offline"

On Windows: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › your printer › Open print queue › Printer menu › untick "Use Printer Offline". Also clear any stuck jobs there.

Confirm the same network

Make sure the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi (not a seperate guest or 5GHz-only network). Print a network/Wi-Fi report from the printer to check its IP.

Set a static IP or re-add by IP

If the address keeps changing, reserve an IP for the printer in your router, or add the printer again using a TCP/IP port set to its current address.

Restart the Print Spooler

Press Win+R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click › Restart.

Still not fixed? For hardware faults still under warranty, contact the manufacturer's official support. This is an independent guide — always confirm steps for your exact model in its manual.

Still stuck with your printer?

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