Printer Showing Offline? Here's How to Fix It (Windows & Mac)
The "printer offline" error is one of the most frustrating and common printer problems. Your printer is clearly on and connected — so why does Windows or Mac think it's offline? Here's the definitive fix.
Why Does This Happen?
The offline error usually occurs because your computer lost communication with the printer — even though both are powered on. Common causes include: the printer IP address changed on your network, a stuck print job in the queue, outdated drivers, or Windows incorrectly flagging the printer as offline after a sleep/wake cycle.
Fix 1: Set Printer to Online (Windows)
Click the Start menu → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Click your printer → Open print queue. In the print queue window, click Printer in the menu bar. If you see "Use Printer Offline" with a tick next to it — click it to untick it. This immediately sets your printer back to online status. This fixes the issue in about 60% of cases.
Fix 2: Clear the Print Queue
A stuck print job can cause the offline error. Open your print queue (same steps as above), right-click every job in the list and select Cancel. Once the queue is empty, try printing again. If jobs won't cancel, open Services (press Windows + R, type services.msc), find Print Spooler, right-click and select Restart. Then try clearing the queue again.
Fix 3: Restart Everything in the Right Order
Turn off your printer completely — not just sleep, fully power off. Restart your router. Restart your computer. Once everything is back on, turn your printer on last. Wait 60 seconds for it to fully connect to the network before trying to print.
Fix 4: Remove and Re-add the Printer (Windows)
Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Click your printer → Remove device. Once removed, click Add device and let Windows find your printer again. This resets the printer connection completely and resolves most persistent offline errors.
Fix 5: Mac Offline Fix
On Mac go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners. Right-click your printer and select Reset printing system. This removes all printers and resets the print system — then re-add your printer. Alternatively, click your printer → Options & Supplies → Utility → Open Printer Utility → Reset and check the printer status.
Fix 6: Update or Reinstall Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers cause persistent offline issues. Visit your printer manufacturer's website (hp.com/support, support.canon.com, epson.com/support, support.brother.com), search for your exact model, download the latest full driver package, uninstall your existing driver first via Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a Program, then install the fresh download.
Fix 7: Assign a Static IP to Your Printer
If your printer keeps going offline every few days, the problem is likely your router assigning it a different IP address each time. Log into your printer's web interface (type the printer's current IP address into a browser), find the network settings, and assign a static/manual IP address outside your router's DHCP range. This permanently solves the recurring offline issue.
Still Not Working?
If none of the above fixes work, try connecting your printer directly via USB temporarily. If it works via USB but not WiFi, the issue is definitely network-related — your router may be blocking the printer. Check your router's device list and ensure the printer isn't being blocked by a firewall or parental control setting.