A short, practical checklist for switching a printer from "offline" back to "ready" on Windows and Mac.

Quick Answer

Open your printer settings, disable "Use Printer Offline," restart the printer, and reconnect it to your WiFi network if needed.

On This Page
  1. Common Reasons This Happens
  2. Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
  3. 1. Open Printer Settings
  4. 2. Disable Offline Mode
  5. 3. Restart the Printer
  6. 4. Reconnect to WiFi
  7. 5. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
  8. What If It's Still Not Fixed?
  9. Frequently Asked Questions

Common Reasons how do i bring my printer back online

A stale connection cache

Your computer may be holding onto an old, disconnected session with the printer.

A network switch

Moving between WiFi networks (e.g. home and office) can leave the printer pointed at the wrong one.

Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before you start:
  • Check the printer status in Devices and Printers (Windows) or System Settings > Printers (Mac).
  • Confirm the printer isn't asleep — tap any button on it to wake it up.

1. Open Printer Settings

1

On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners. On Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

2. Disable Offline Mode

2

Right-click the printer and uncheck "Use Printer Offline" if present.

3. Restart the Printer

3

Power cycle the device to force it to re-announce itself to the network.

4. Reconnect to WiFi

4

From the printer's own screen, rejoin your WiFi network if it dropped.

5. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

5

Windows includes a built-in printer troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix offline states.

What If It's Still Not Fixed?

If you've worked through every step above and the problem continues, it's worth checking a nearby cause rather than repeating the same steps. The guides below cover the most common related issues.

Still stuck? Try describing the problem in your own words using the search bar — different symptoms of the same root cause are often covered on a related page.

Frequently Asked Questions

This usually means the printer keeps losing its connection in the background. Fixing the underlying WiFi connection stops it from re-triggering.

People Also Ask

  • Enable network discovery, confirm the print spooler service is running, and add the printer manually by IP address if automatic search fails. Read the full guide →
  • Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners > Add device, and select your printer once it appears. Read the full guide →
  • Move the printer closer to the router, confirm you're using the 2.4GHz network if your printer requires it, and re-enter the WiFi password carefully. Read the full guide →
  • Restart the print spooler service through Windows Services — this is the most reliable way to force-clear a job that won't delete. Read the full guide →

Related Guides

Why Is My Printer Offline? Why Is My Printer Not Connecting to WiFi? Why Is My Printer Offline on Windows 11?