Printers · Repair guide

How to fix a printer that says offline

Error messagePrinter offline

10 fixes, easiest first4 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Turn the printer off, unplug it for 30 seconds, then turn it back on and restart your computer and router. Make sure the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network, then clear the print queue and try again.

What it means

When a printer shows as offline, your computer cannot talk to it at the moment, so print jobs wait in the queue instead of printing. The printer itself is often fine: it may be asleep, on a different Wi-Fi network, stuck after a power cut, or Windows may have been told to treat it as offline.

Common causes

  • The printer is asleep, turned off or stuck after an error
  • The printer and computer are on different Wi-Fi networks, or the printer lost its Wi-Fi connection
  • A stuck print job is blocking the queue
  • Windows is set to "Use Printer Offline" or is sending jobs to the wrong printer
  • The Print Spooler service on Windows has stalled
  • An outdated or damaged printer driver or printer firmware
  • A loose or faulty USB or network cable

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Restart the printer, computer and routerEasy

  1. Turn the printer off with its power button, then unplug it from the wall.
  2. Wait about 30 seconds, plug it back in and turn it on.
  3. If the printer uses Wi-Fi or a network cable, restart your router too and wait until the internet works again.
  4. Restart your computer, phone or tablet.
  5. Wait until the printer has fully started, then try printing.

Why it helps: A full restart clears temporary glitches on the printer, the computer and the network at the same time.

02Wake the printer and check its connectionEasy

  1. Touch the printer's screen or press a button to wake it from sleep.
  2. Check the printer for an error such as no paper, low ink, an open cover or a paper jam, and clear it.
  3. If it uses Wi-Fi, look at its wireless light or screen; a blinking or unlit wireless light usually means it is not connected.
  4. Make sure your computer or phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer, not a guest network.
  5. Do not connect your computer to a network named DIRECT-... with the printer's name; that is the printer's own direct link, not your home network.
  6. If it uses a USB cable, check that both ends are pushed in fully and plug it straight into the computer rather than a USB hub.

Why it helps: Most offline messages come from the printer being asleep, in an error state or on a different network.

03Run the Windows printer troubleshooterEasy

  1. Select Start, type Get Help and open the Get Help app.
  2. Type printer troubleshooter in the search box and start it.
  3. Choose your printer when asked and follow the steps on screen.
  4. Try printing again when it finishes.

Why it helps: The troubleshooter checks common printer problems on Windows 11 and can fix some of them automatically.

04Set the right printer as default and clear the queueEasy

  1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
  2. Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer, select your printer and choose Set as default.
  3. Select Open print queue, then open the ... menu and choose Cancel all.
  4. The newer Windows 11 print queue does not show Use Printer Offline. If the queue window that opens has a Printer menu (the older style, which some printer software such as Canon's still opens), make sure Use Printer Offline is not ticked. If it is, select it to remove the tick.

Why it helps: A stuck job, the wrong printer copy or the "Use Printer Offline" setting can all keep Windows showing the printer as offline.

05Restart the Print Spooler serviceMedium

  1. Select the search box on the taskbar, type services and open Services.
  2. Scroll down to Print Spooler.
  3. Right-click Print Spooler and choose Restart.
  4. Close Services and try printing again.

Why it helps: The Print Spooler is the Windows service that sends jobs to the printer; restarting it clears a stalled connection.

06If you have an HP printer, run Diagnose & FixEasy

  1. Open the HP app on your Windows PC or Mac. HP Smart is being replaced by the HP app; if you still use HP Smart, the steps are similar.
  2. Make sure the printer is on, then select your printer in the app.
  3. Select Diagnose & Fix. On Windows it is the wrench icon at the bottom left; on a Mac you can also open the printer menu in the top menu bar and choose Diagnose & Fix.
  4. Select Start and keep the app open until it finishes, then follow the results on screen.

Why it helps: HP's built-in diagnostics check the printer's connection and driver and can repair common problems.

07If you use a Mac, check Printers & ScannersEasy

  1. If a job is waiting, click the Print Center icon in the Dock (older macOS shows your printer's icon instead) to open the queue.
  2. If the printer is paused, click Resume. If a job shows an error, select it and click Delete Job.
  3. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners and check that your printer is listed.
  4. If it still shows as offline, Control-click the printer, choose Remove Printer and confirm, then click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and add it again.

Why it helps: A paused queue or a damaged printer entry on the Mac can make a working printer look unavailable.

08Update the printer's firmwareMedium

  1. Check the printer maker's support website or app for a firmware update for your model.
  2. On many HP printers you can also check from the printer's control panel or from the printer's page in the HP app.
  3. Keep the printer on and plugged in during the whole update. Turning it off mid-update can damage it.
  4. Restart the printer and computer after the update.

Why it helps: Printer makers release firmware updates that fix connection problems.

09Remove and add the printer again on WindowsMedium

  1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
  2. Select your printer, choose Remove, then Yes.
  3. Make sure the printer is on and connected to the same network or USB cable.
  4. Select Add device next to Add a printer or scanner and wait for your printer to appear, then select Add device next to it.
  5. If it does not appear, install the latest driver or software for your model from the printer maker's support website.

Why it helps: Adding the printer again creates a fresh connection and can fix a damaged driver or an old network address.

10If it still shows offline on Wi-Fi, set up Wi-Fi againAdvancedResets settings

  1. Warning: resetting a printer's network settings removes its saved Wi-Fi name and password, so you must set it up on Wi-Fi again afterwards.
  2. First try reconnecting without a reset: on the printer's control panel, open the Wi-Fi or Wireless settings and run the wireless setup wizard, then choose your network and enter its password.
  3. If that fails, use the printer's menu or manual to restore its network settings.
  4. Connect it to Wi-Fi again using the printer's control panel or the maker's app, then add it to your computer again.

Why it helps: A fresh Wi-Fi setup fixes printers that keep a wrong network name, password or address after a router change.

Check it's fixed

  • Windows Printers & scanners or the Mac's Printers & Scanners no longer shows the printer as offline.
  • A test page prints from your computer.
  • The printer's wireless light is solid, not blinking.

When to get help

If the printer stays offline after a fresh setup, or it shows an error on its own screen, contact the printer maker's support with your model number. If several devices on the network lose connection, contact your internet provider or IT support.

Questions

Why does my printer say offline when it is turned on?

Your computer cannot reach it, usually because the printer is asleep, on a different Wi-Fi network, has a stuck job, or Windows is set to use it offline. A full restart of the printer, computer and router fixes most cases.

Why does my printer keep going offline?

A weak Wi-Fi signal, a router change or old printer firmware are common reasons. Move the printer closer to the router, update its firmware, and make sure it stays on the same network as your computer.

What does "Use Printer Offline" mean?

It is a Windows setting that holds print jobs instead of sending them. It appears in the Printer menu of the older-style print queue window; if it is ticked there, untick it so jobs go to the printer.

Does this work for HP, Canon, Epson and Brother printers?

Yes. The restart, network and Windows or Mac steps work for every brand. HP printers also have Diagnose & Fix in HP's app.

Related fixes

How to fix a printer that won't printCheck the printer for paper, ink, jams and error messages, then restart it and your computer. Make sure you picked the right printer, cancelHow to fix a printer that won't connect to Wi-FiRestart the printer and router, move the printer closer to the router, then run the wireless setup on the printer and pick your network and How to clear a stuck print queueCancel all jobs in the print queue and restart the printer and PC. If the job still won't delete, stop the Print Spooler in Services, dHow to fix an HP printer that is not workingRestart the HP printer, your computer and your router, make sure the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network, then run Diagnose &Why does my Wi-Fi keep disconnecting?Restart your modem and router and move closer to the router to test. If only one device keeps dropping, forget and rejoin the Wi-Fi network

Still stuck?

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