6+ Fixes For Fixing Printer Offline Errors

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In this post, we’ll provide 6+ fixes (and video guides) for resolving printer offline problems.

Lately, many people have reported an issue on Windows 10 regarding their printers. This connectivity problem has been, if not for all, an annoying glitch that hampers our printing needs not only on network printers but on personal home printers as well.

If you’re also one who is experiencing the printer offline issue, then it’s only natural for you to look for solutions. Fortunately, there is a myriad of ways to fix this issue. If you’re interested to know, below is a summary of some of the most effective solutions found on the internet:

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What Does ‘Printer Offline’ Mean?

First of all, it’s best if you identify what kind of printer offline issue you’re having. Depending on your issue, a different kind of solution is being offered. The good news is that some of the solutions can be applied to multiple printer offline problems.

However, there is only one thing in common about these issues – the printer not being available despite being on. This can not only be observed on Windows 10 but on 8 and 7 as well.

The reason why printer offline issues happen is because of a variety of causes. In some cases, it could be because of a connection problem between the printer and the computer, resulting in unresponsiveness. It could also be from the printer having internal problems. There could also be a lot of print jobs on the queue, causing the printer to go offline.  

Why Is My Printer Offline

Video Guide: Fix Printer Offline Problem

Whatever the causes are for this dilemma, trying different kinds of solution is needed unless you’re going to hire a technician. But for those who want to tackle the problem on their own, below are solutions that you can follow:

1st Fix

Before anything else, one of the simplest methods that you can follow is by identifying if the printer that you’re using has its own diagnostics software. For instance, HP has its own Print and Scan Doctor software.

While this feature is provided by some manufacturers, not all do. But if you’re lucky to have diagnostic software, use it as much as possible.

In most cases, the diagnostic software will detect your printer’s issue and lead you to a solution.

How to Fix Print and Scan Problems Using HP Print and Scan Doctor

2nd Fix

The second solution is to simply restart your printer, computer, or unplug your USB cable. For those who are using a network printer, regardless if it’s wireless or not, the issue may be from the connection. So, you should restart the router.

There are actual steps for the Windows 8 printer offline error though; you can follow these steps:

  1. Open the control panel.
  2. Go to the Printers window.
  3. See if the printer is on Default.
  4. Right-click on the default printer.
  5. Click on the print queue and check on What’s Printing.
  6. Remove any unfinished task by taking them off on the list.
  7. Uncheck the Use Printer Offline option under Printer located on the queue window.
  8. See if the printer is connected to your computer. If needed, unplug your USB cable, then plug it again after a few seconds.
  9. For network printers, do a connection test. If needed, you can also restart your router.
  10. Turn off your computer and printer.
  11. If the issue still occurs, you can try reinstalling your printer’s drivers.

Video Guide: How to Reset a Router | Internet Setup

3rd Fix

If you’re receiving a printer offline message, you can also try restarting your Print Spooler service. This service is needed so that you can print, so restarting it can be quite helpful if the suggested solution above does not work. To do this, you can follow these steps:

  1. Press on the letter R and the Windows Key on your keyboard.
  2. Type in the prompt services.msc. and click on the OK button.
  3. Locate the Print Spooler service once the Services Widows pop up.
  4. Right-click on it and click on the restart option.
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In some cases, this can already solve the problem. However, it’s not permanent. So, you’ll have to keep on repeating this process once the issue comes up again.

Video Guide: How To Restart The Print Spooler Service

4th Fix

You can also change your printer properties if the problem still doesn’t go away. The steps to do this are just simple:

  1. Go to your control panel.
  2. Locate the Devices and Printers option.
  3. Right-click your printer icon and click on Printer properties located on the menu.
  4. Select the Port tab and click your IP address.
  5. Proceed to click the Configure Port option.
  6. Uncheck your printer’s SNMP Status Enabled.
  7. Click on the OK button to save any changes.

This is an effective solution for printer offline issues but is only applicable when you’re using a network printer.

Video Guide: Changing Your Printer Properties

5th Fix

Another solution is to also reinstall your printer drivers. This is a simple solution that only needs a few steps:

  1. In your control panel, click on the Device and Printers option.
  2. Find your printer icon and right-click on it.
  3. Select the Remove Device option.
  4. Click on the Yes button once the confirmation box appears.
  5. Download the latest driver and install it once the printer is removed.

This is a simple yet effective solution that you can try. Thus, it’s ideal if you’re going to update your drivers from time to time.

Video Guide: How To Install A Printer Without The CD/DVD Driver

6th Fix

Installing your latest printer updates will also work. For Windows 10 users, these updates are automatically downloaded on your computer. However, there are some cases wherein such important updates are skipped. That’s why you’re encouraged to check on the latest printer updates. You can do this manually by following these steps:

  1. Press the letter I key and the Windows Key on your keyboard.
  2. Once done, open the Setting App.
  3. After opening, go to the Update and Security option.
  4. Click on the Check for Updates option that’s located on the side of the menu.

Windows will automatically download any updates after you click on the button. After the updates are successfully installed, see if the problem still occurs.

Printer Brands & Offline Issues

The instructions on this page should help deal with the following brands’ ‘offline’ issues:

  • Brother.
  • Canon.
  • Epson.
  • HP.
  • Konica Minolta.
  • Lexmark.
  • Oki.

Forum Feedback

To find out what problems users had with offline printers, we search through different support forums and discussion boards. Print owners were interested in printer offline Windows 10 and Windows 7, printer offline fix, and printer offline Mac. They also wanted to know how to make the printer online again.

Deleting Registry Key

A forum member shares that is having problems with his Brother HL5250DN printer, which is connected through an Ethernet cable and he was wondering ‘why does my printer keep going offline?’

  • For some reason, the printer is going offline on his Windows 10 computer with no apparent reason.
  • The user adds that the worst thing is that the only thing that will fix the printer offline problem is a reinstallation of the printer.
  • He looked for solutions on a printer support forum, but they only gave him general tips that didn’t work for him.
  • Finally, one user suggested that he should delete a Windows registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors\WSD Port. It worked.

printer-offline-issue

HP Print and Scan Doctor

Another computer owner (who was wondering ‘why does my hp printer keep going offline?’)mentions that his HP printer was offline and that he couldn’t figure out how to get it back online. Other members of the community suggested that he should try HP Print and Scan Doctor to diagnose the problem. They explained that it was simple to use and that it would fix the problem quickly.

Use Printer Offline Mode Fix

An individual commented that he also had issues with his Samsung printer and that he was unable to print because it was offline. Other experienced users explained to him that he had to check if the printer was in Use Printer Offline mode. To do that he to go to Settings àDevicesà Printers and find his printer in the list. Then he should click on Open queue à Printer à uncheck Use Printer Offline. It worked, so he was able to print his documents.

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Malware Attack

Another poster also said that he had problems with a Canon printer. However, the Use Printer Offline method didn’t work for him. He had to uninstall the printer’s drivers and install them anew because they had been corrupted after a malware attack.

printer-offline

Radio Waves

A person states that he has a wireless HP Officejet Pro 6968 (wondering ‘why is my printer offline windows 10‘) and that for some reason, it’s not printing. Instead, he gets an error related to Web Service. Other HP users advised him to restart the printer and the router to see if that would solve the issue. They also said that he should remove any devices that emit radio waves in case they are interfering with the signal and that he should place the printer and router close together.

Wrong Ethernet Cable Connection

Another individual mentioned that he also had issues with a Samsung printer and that he couldn’t figure what was wrong. In the end, it turned out that the Ethernet cable was connected to the wrong computer, and that was why the printer was offline. The user also recommends that you check the cable to make sure that it’s not damaged or dislodged.

Damaged USB Port

A computer expert who was having a ‘printer showing offline‘ error comments that you must check your USB port to make sure that it’s not damaged. He also recommends for people having wireless printers to check that the printer is connected to their PC’s network, not somebody else’s.

Network Connectivity Issues

Another poster said that he had issues with Epson printer which was going offline in the middle of a printing job. Other Epson printer users suggested that the reason might be problems with the network connectivity and that he should turn off the printer, computer, and router and then turn them back again. The person was happy to report that the issue was low signal quality and that he managed to fix the printer offline error by moving the printer close to the router.

Set Default Printer

A computer expert (who was supporting an IT request regarding ‘how do you change a printer from offline to online?’) remarks that you can fix an offline printer using several tricks. First, you must set your printer as a default printer by going to Control Panel – Devices – Printers. If that doesn’t work, then you must delete any existing printers and install your printer again. However, if you’re not sure how to do that it might be better to consult a professional.

Antivirus & Firewall Issues

Another forum member suggests that if you’re dealing with a ‘network printer that’s offline‘ the antivirus and firewall might also be causing some conflict with the printer. That’s why he advises that you turn off your firewall and antivirus and see if that will resolve the problem. However, the person warns that you’ll be vulnerable to viruses and attacks, so he doesn’t recommend disabling antivirus and firewall as a permanent solution.

The solutions above, while they’re based on different printer offline causes, are considered to be some of the most effective methods to solve this issue. Give them a try; but if the problem still occurs, don’t hesitate to contact your printer manufacturer or hire a technician to assist you.

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