A printer that shows "offline" has usually lost its network or USB connection, or your computer is pointed at the wrong device. Here's how to bring it back online.

Quick Answer

Restart the printer and router, remove and re-add the printer in your system settings, and make sure "Use Printer Offline" is switched off.

On This Page
  1. Common Reasons This Happens
  2. Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
  3. 1. Restart the Printer and Router
  4. 2. Turn Off "Use Printer Offline"
  5. 3. Remove and Re-Add the Printer
  6. 4. Set a Static IP Address
  7. 5. Update the Printer Firmware
  8. 6. Disable Sleep Mode Conflicts
  9. Quick Reference Table
  10. What If It's Still Not Fixed?
  11. Frequently Asked Questions

Common Reasons my printer offline

A dropped WiFi connection

Printers frequently disconnect from WiFi after a router restart or an IP address change.

Sleep or power-saving mode

Many printers report as offline simply because they have gone to sleep to save power.

An "offline" setting toggled on your computer

Windows has a manual "Use Printer Offline" option that can get switched on by accident.

An outdated IP address

If your printer's IP address changed but your computer still points to the old one, it will always appear offline.

Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before you start:
  • Check the printer's own screen or light for a WiFi/network icon.
  • Confirm the printer and computer are on the same WiFi network, not a guest network.
  • Try printing from a different device to see if the issue is network-wide.

1. Restart the Printer and Router

1

Power both off for 30 seconds. This forces a fresh IP address and connection.

2. Turn Off "Use Printer Offline"

2

In your printer queue settings, make sure the offline option is unchecked.

3. Remove and Re-Add the Printer

3

Deleting the printer and adding it again refreshes its saved connection details.

4. Set a Static IP Address

4

Assigning your printer a fixed IP in your router settings prevents future offline errors caused by address changes.

5. Update the Printer Firmware

5

Outdated firmware can cause frequent, unexplained offline states — check the printer's own menu for updates.

6. Disable Sleep Mode Conflicts

6

Reduce the printer's sleep timer or disable it temporarily to see if that resolves repeated offline messages.

Quick Reference Table

ProblemPossible CauseWhat to Try
Offline right after setup Wrong network selected Confirm same WiFi network on both devices
Offline every few hours Sleep mode / changing IP Set a static IP address
Offline only from one computer Local offline setting Disable "Use Printer Offline"

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 is usually caused by a changing IP address or the printer entering sleep mode. A static IP address is the most permanent fix.

Yes — restarting the router forces every device, including the printer, to request a fresh network connection.

Not always. "Offline" is often a status flag your computer keeps locally, even when the printer itself is still connected and idle.

People Also Ask

  • Stop the print spooler service, delete the temporary print files manually, then restart the spooler to fully clear the queue. Read the full guide →
  • Confirm the printer and computer share the same network, enable network discovery, and restart both devices before searching again. Read the full guide →
  • Move the printer closer to the router, assign it a static IP address, and reduce or disable its power-saving sleep mode. Read the full guide →
  • Restart the printer and computer, check the print queue, confirm the correct printer is selected, and verify the connection before reinstalling the driver. Read the full guide →

Related Guides

How Do I Bring My Printer Back Online? Why Is My Printer Not Connecting to WiFi? Why Is My Printer Offline on Windows 11? Why Is My Printer Offline on Mac?