Printer Offline Fix is needed when Windows shows your printer as offline even though the printer is turned on.
This issue usually happens because the printer is disconnected, connected to the wrong WiFi network, set to offline mode, blocked by stuck print jobs, affected by driver problems, or stopped by the Windows print spooler service.
Quick Fix
Restart your printer and computer, then check that the printer is connected to the same WiFi network as your computer. If it still shows offline, turn off Use Printer Offline in Windows printer settings.
Try This First
• Printer is on but offline → turn off Use Printer Offline
• WiFi printer offline → check that printer and computer use the same network
• Print job stuck → clear the print queue
• Printer still offline → restart the Print Spooler service
If the issue continues, follow the fixes below.
What Does Printer Offline Mean?
Printer offline means your computer cannot communicate with the printer.
The printer may be powered on, but Windows cannot send print jobs to it because of a connection problem, incorrect printer setting, stuck print queue, driver issue, or printer service problem.
What Causes Printer Offline Issue?
The most common causes include:
• Printer is not properly connected
• Printer and computer are on different WiFi networks
• Windows has enabled Use Printer Offline
• Printer is not set as the default printer
• Print jobs are stuck in the queue
• Print Spooler service is not working
• Printer drivers are outdated or corrupted
• Printer firmware may need an update
This issue usually means Windows cannot reach the printer, not that the printer is permanently broken.
Printer Offline Troubleshooting Table
Use this table to narrow down the most likely cause before changing printer settings.
| What You See | Most Likely Cause | First Fix to Try |
|---|---|---|
| Printer says offline but is turned on | Windows cannot communicate with the printer | Restart the printer and computer |
| Wireless printer shows offline | WiFi connection dropped or changed | Reconnect the printer to the same WiFi network |
| Print jobs are stuck | Old print job is blocking the queue | Clear the print queue |
| Printer works from another device | Problem is on one computer | Remove and re-add the printer |
| Printer is connected by USB but offline | Loose cable or bad USB port | Reconnect the cable or try another port |
| Printer keeps going offline | Driver, router, or sleep mode issue | Update the driver and restart the router |
How to Fix Printer Offline Issue
Follow these steps until your printer comes back online and starts printing again.
Check Printer Connection
- Make sure the printer is turned on
- Check that there are no warning lights or error messages on the printer screen
- If you use a USB printer, unplug the USB cable and plug it back in firmly
- Try a different USB port on the computer if possible
- If you use a WiFi printer, check that the printer is connected to WiFi
- Make sure your computer is connected to the same WiFi network
- Restart the printer and try printing again
If your HP printer still does not respond after checking the connection, follow this guide: HP Printer Not Printing Fix
A loose cable, wrong WiFi network, or inactive printer connection is one of the most common reasons Windows shows a printer offline.
Set Printer as Default
- Click the Start button
- Open Settings
- Go to Bluetooth & devices
- Click Printers & scanners
- Select your printer from the list
- Click Set as default if the option appears
- Try printing again
If Windows sends the print job to the wrong printer, your real printer may look offline even when it is working.
Disable Use Printer Offline Mode
- Open Control Panel
- Go to Devices and Printers
- Right-click your printer
- Click See what’s printing
- Click Printer in the top menu
- If Use Printer Offline has a checkmark, click it to remove the checkmark
- Close the window
- Try printing again
Windows can accidentally keep the printer in offline mode. Turning this option off tells Windows to send print jobs normally again.
Clear the Print Queue
- Open Control Panel
- Go to Devices and Printers
- Right-click your printer
- Click See what’s printing
- Look for stuck or failed print jobs
- Click Printer in the top menu
- Select Cancel All Documents
- Restart your printer
- Try printing a new page
If your Brother printer often shows offline, follow this guide: Brother Printer Offline Fix
A stuck print job can block newer documents and make Windows show the printer as offline.
Restart Print Spooler Service
- Press Windows + R on your keyboard
- Type
services.msc - Press Enter
- Scroll down and find Print Spooler
- Right-click Print Spooler
- Click Restart
- Wait a few seconds
- Try printing again
The Print Spooler is the Windows service that manages print jobs. Restarting it can fix stuck printing and printer offline errors.
Restart Your Computer and Printer
- Turn off your printer
- Unplug the printer from power
- Restart your computer
- Wait for Windows to fully load
- Plug the printer back in
- Turn the printer on
- Wait until it is ready
- Try printing again
Restarting both devices clears temporary communication problems between Windows and the printer.
Check WiFi Network for Wireless Printers
- Open the printer’s network or WiFi settings on the printer screen
- Check the WiFi network name
- Compare it with the WiFi network used by your computer
- If they are different, connect both devices to the same network
- Restart the printer
- Try printing again
If your printer has WiFi problems after reconnecting, follow this guide: Epson Printer Not Printing Fix
Wireless printers may show offline when the printer and computer are connected to different networks, such as main WiFi and guest WiFi.
Update Printer Drivers
- Right-click the Start button
- Click Device Manager
- Find Printers or Print queues
- Click the small arrow to expand the section
- Right-click your printer
- Click Update driver
- Select Search automatically for drivers
- Wait while Windows checks for updates
- Install any update if Windows finds one
- Restart your computer
- Try printing again
Printer drivers help Windows communicate with the printer. If the driver is outdated or damaged, the printer may appear offline or fail to print.
Remove and Re-Add the Printer
- Click the Start button
- Open Settings
- Go to Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
- Select your printer
- Click Remove
- Restart your computer
- Go back to Printers & scanners
- Click Add device
- Select your printer and add it again
- Try printing
Re-adding the printer creates a fresh connection between Windows and the printer.
Update Printer Firmware Carefully
- Find your exact printer model number
- Go to the official printer manufacturer website
- Search for your printer model
- Look for Firmware or Software & Drivers
- Read the update instructions carefully
- Do not turn off the printer during the update
- Restart the printer after the update finishes
Only update firmware from the official manufacturer website. Using the wrong firmware can cause printer problems, so skip this step if you are not sure about the exact model.
How to Prevent Printer Offline Issue
• Keep the printer and computer on the same network
• Avoid using guest WiFi for wireless printers
• Clear stuck print jobs when printing fails
• Keep printer drivers updated
• Restart the printer occasionally
• Avoid disconnecting the printer while documents are printing
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my printer keep going offline?
Your printer usually keeps going offline because of WiFi problems, loose cables, offline mode being enabled, stuck print jobs, driver issues, or Print Spooler problems.
Can WiFi issues cause printer offline errors?
Yes. A wireless printer can show offline if it is connected to a different WiFi network, has weak signal, or loses connection to the router.
Is printer offline a serious problem?
Usually no. In most cases, printer offline is a connection, queue, driver, or Windows setting problem that can be fixed without replacing the printer.
You may also want to check our guides on HP Printer Error E3 Fix and Canon Printer Error B200 Fix for related printer issues.