Why is my printer offline?
Quick answer
A printer shows “offline” when your computer can’t communicate with it. The usual causes are a Wi-Fi or cable problem, the printer being asleep or switched off, a stuck print queue, the “Use Printer Offline” setting being on, or an outdated driver. Restarting the printer, computer and router fixes most cases.
Get your printer back online
- Check the basicsMake sure the printer is on, awake and showing no error lights. Check the USB cable or that it’s connected to Wi-Fi on its own screen.
- Restart everythingTurn off the printer, computer and Wi-Fi router. Turn on the router first, then the printer, then the computer.
- Check the networkWi-Fi printers must be on the same network as your computer. Watch out for guest networks and separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.
- Clear the print queueOpen the print queue and cancel all stuck documents, then try again.
- Turn off offline modeOn Windows, open the print queue and make sure Use Printer Offline isn’t ticked.
- Set the right default printerCopies of the same printer, such as ‘Printer (Copy 1)’, can confuse your computer. Choose the one that’s online.
- Reinstall the printerRemove the printer from your device list, then add it again or install the latest driver from the maker’s website.
“Offline” sounds like the printer is broken, but in most cases the printer is fine. Your computer simply lost track of where it is on the network, or a setting is telling it not to send anything. Work through the fixes above in order; most people are printing again by step two or three.
Why it happens
| Cause | Clue |
|---|---|
| Printer asleep or off | Screen dark, or it wakes up when you press a button |
| Wi-Fi changed | New router, new password, or printer was reset |
| Printer’s IP address changed | Worked yesterday, offline today, nothing else changed |
| Stuck job in the queue | One document shows “Error” and blocks everything |
| Driver problem | Started after a Windows or macOS update |
Windows and Mac shortcuts
- Windows 11: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → choose your printer → Run the troubleshooter.
- Mac: System Settings → Printers & Scanners. Right-click the printer list and choose Reset printing system, then add the printer again.
Wi-Fi printers and routers
When you replace your router or change its password, Wi-Fi printers don’t update automatically. Use the printer’s own screen or its maker’s app to connect it to the new network. Some printers only work on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, so if your router combines both bands under one name and the printer keeps dropping, the maker’s support pages can explain how to connect.
Stop it happening again
Give the printer a fixed (reserved) IP address in your router settings, keep its firmware up to date, and avoid adding the same printer twice.
If drivers are the problem, here’s how to update drivers. Wider slowdowns? See why your computer is so slow.
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