Printer Offline? 12 Ways to Fix It

Quick Fix

If your printer shows “Offline” in Windows, try this quick fix: Turn off the printer, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on. Then go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, click your printer, and select “Open queue” > “Printer” > “Use Printer Online”. This resolves most printer offline issues in under a minute.

Why Does Your Printer Say Offline?

The “Printer Offline” status in Windows means your computer cannot communicate with the printer. This doesn’t necessarily mean the printer is turned off – it could be a connection issue, driver problem, or Windows configuration error.

Common causes include loose USB or network cables, WiFi connectivity issues, outdated or corrupted printer drivers, print spooler problems, or the printer being set to “Use Printer Offline” mode. Let’s fix this step by step.

Method 1: Basic Printer Restart

A simple power cycle clears temporary glitches in the printer’s memory.

Turn OFF your printer using the power button
Unplug the power cable from the printer
Wait 60 seconds
Plug the power cable back in
Turn the printer ON
Wait for the printer to fully initialize (lights stop blinking)
Try printing a test page

Method 2: Set Printer to Online Mode

Windows sometimes accidentally sets printers to offline mode.

Press Windows + I to open Settings
Go to Devices > Printers & scanners
Click on your offline printer
Click “Open queue”
In the print queue window, click “Printer” in the menu bar
If “Use Printer Offline” is checked, click it to uncheck
The printer should now show as online

Method 3: Check Physical Connections

Loose cables are a surprisingly common cause of offline status.

For USB Printers:

Unplug the USB cable from both the printer and computer
Check the cable for damage
Plug it back in firmly
Try a different USB port on your computer
Try a different USB cable if available

For Network/WiFi Printers:

Check that the printer is connected to WiFi (look for WiFi indicator light)
Ensure the printer is on the same network as your computer
Print a network configuration page from the printer to verify connection
Restart your router if needed

Method 4: Restart Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler service manages all print jobs. Restarting it often fixes offline issues.

Press Windows + R
Type services.msc and press Enter
Scroll down to find “Print Spooler”
Right-click it and select “Restart”
If it’s not running, right-click and select “Start”
Close Services and try printing

Alternative method via Command Prompt (Admin):

Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Type net stop spooler and press Enter
Type net start spooler and press Enter

Method 5: Clear Print Queue

Stuck print jobs can cause the printer to appear offline.

Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners
Click your printer and select “Open queue”
Click “Printer” > “Cancel All Documents”
Confirm the cancellation
Close the queue and try printing again

If jobs won’t cancel:

Stop Print Spooler service (see Method 4)
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
Delete all files in this folder
Start Print Spooler service again

Method 6: Set as Default Printer

Windows might be trying to print to a different printer.

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners
Uncheck “Let Windows manage my default printer”
Click on your printer
Click “Manage”
Click “Set as default”
Your printer should now show a checkmark indicating it’s the default

Method 7: Run Printer Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix printer problems.

Press Windows + I to open Settings
Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
Find “Printer” and click “Run”
Select your offline printer when prompted
Follow the on-screen instructions
Apply any recommended fixes

Method 8: Update Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause communication failures.

Update via Device Manager:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
Expand “Print queues”
Right-click your printer and select “Update driver”
Choose “Search automatically for drivers”
Restart your computer after updating

Download from Manufacturer:

Visit your printer manufacturer’s website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.)
Search for your printer model
Download the latest driver for your Windows version
Run the installer and follow instructions

Method 9: Remove and Re-add Printer

Sometimes removing and re-adding the printer fresh fixes persistent issues.

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners
Click your offline printer
Click “Remove device”
Restart your computer
Go back to Printers & scanners
Click “Add a printer or scanner”
Wait for Windows to detect your printer
Click on it and follow setup instructions

Method 10: Check Printer IP Address (Network Printers)

Network printers can go offline if their IP address changes.

Print a network configuration page from your printer (usually via printer menu)
Note the printer’s IP address
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your printer and select “Printer properties”
Go to the “Ports” tab
Find the checked port and click “Configure Port”
Update the IP address if it’s different
Click OK and try printing

Tip: Set a static IP for your printer in your router settings to prevent this issue.

Method 11: Disable SNMP Status

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) can incorrectly report printer status.

Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your printer and select “Printer properties”
Go to the “Ports” tab
Select your printer’s port and click “Configure Port”
Uncheck “SNMP Status Enabled”
Click OK on all windows
Try printing again

Method 12: Check Firewall Settings

Firewall can block communication with network printers.

Press Windows + I to open Settings
Go to Privacy & security > Windows Security
Click “Firewall & network protection”
Click “Allow an app through firewall”
Ensure your printer software is allowed on both Private and Public networks
If not listed, click “Change settings” then “Allow another app” to add it

Preventing Future Offline Issues

Keep printer drivers updated
Use a static IP address for network printers
Ensure stable WiFi connection for wireless printers
Clear print queue regularly
Keep printer firmware updated
Use quality USB cables for wired connections

FAQ

Why does my printer keep going offline?

Recurring offline issues are usually caused by unstable network connections (for WiFi printers), power saving settings turning off the printer, or outdated drivers. Set a static IP for network printers and disable “SNMP Status Enabled” in port settings to prevent false offline status.

How do I fix HP printer offline?

HP printers have the same fixes as other printers, plus you can use HP Print and Scan Doctor – a free tool from HP that automatically diagnoses and fixes printer issues. Download it from HP’s support website and run it to fix offline problems.

Why does my wireless printer say offline but is connected to WiFi?

The printer may be connected to WiFi but your computer can’t reach it. Ensure both are on the same network. Check if the printer’s IP address changed – print a network config page and verify the IP in your printer port settings matches.

How do I get my printer back online in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Click your printer, select “Open print queue,” then click Printer menu > uncheck “Use Printer Offline.” If that doesn’t work, restart the Print Spooler service.

Why does my printer say offline when it’s on?

The printer being powered on doesn’t mean Windows can communicate with it. Check USB/network connections, restart Print Spooler service, and ensure the printer isn’t set to “Use Printer Offline” mode in the print queue settings.

Can a bad USB cable cause printer offline?

Yes, damaged or low-quality USB cables can cause intermittent connections that trigger offline status. Try a different USB cable and a different USB port. For best results, use the cable that came with the printer or a high-quality replacement.