Printer says offline? Try these five fixes first

You hit print, nothing comes out, and Windows insists the printer is "offline" even though it's sitting there with its lights on. It's one of the most common calls we get, and it's rarely a dead printer. Usually the computer and the printer have simply stopped talking to each other.

Fix 1: Restart everything, in the right order

It sounds too simple, but it clears more offline errors than anything else.

1. Turn the printer off at the button, then unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Plug the printer back in and wait until it has finished warming up and its lights have settled.
4. Try printing again.

Fix 2: Check the printer is on the same WiFi

Most home printers connect over WiFi. If you've changed your router, renamed your WiFi network or reset the router recently, the printer may be sitting on the old setup.

• Look at the printer's screen or press its WiFi or wireless button. A solid light usually means connected; a flashing light usually means it's searching.
• Make sure the computer is on the same WiFi network as the printer, not a guest network or a separate extender network.

Fix 3: Turn off "Use Printer Offline"

Sometimes Windows flips a setting by mistake and keeps the printer offline even when it's fine.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners (on Windows 10: Devices → Printers & scanners).
2. Click your printer, then Open print queue.
3. In the menu at the top, click Printer. If Use Printer Offline has a tick next to it, click it to remove the tick.

Fix 4: Clear the stuck print queue

One jammed document can block everything behind it. In the print queue window, click Printer → Cancel All Documents. If a document refuses to leave the list, restart the computer and look again.

Fix 5: Remove the printer and add it again

If the printer is still offline, its connection on your computer may be damaged.

1. In Printers & scanners, click your printer and choose Remove.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Click Add device and let Windows find the printer again. If it doesn't appear, check the printer is on the WiFi first.

If the manufacturer's own app (HP Smart, Epson Smart Panel, Canon PRINT and so on) came with your printer, it can often walk you through reconnecting it to WiFi.

When it still won't work

If you've been through all five and it's still offline, the cause is usually one of these:

• The router assigned the printer a new address, so the computer is looking in the wrong place.
• An out-of-date or corrupted printer driver.
• A WiFi signal that's too weak where the printer sits.
• A failing printer, which is rarer than you'd think.

These are quick to sort out for a technician who can see the whole setup. We do home and small-business printer setup across Brisbane, and there's no call-out fee. Call 1800 851 816 or book a visit, and see our flat hourly pricing.

Related guides

• WiFi extender or mesh? Read this before buying either — if the printer's WiFi signal is the real problem.
• Why is my computer so slow? The six causes we see most often