Why is my printer offline?
Answer
“Offline” usually means your device cannot talk to the printer. Wake the printer, clear any screen error, confirm USB or the same Wi-Fi network, then restart the printer and send a one-page test before removing or reinstalling anything.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Do not reach inside a powered printer. Follow the model manual for paper jams because rollers can move and laser components can be hot.
- Removing a printer, clearing a queue, or resetting printing can delete pending jobs and saved printer settings.
Follow these steps
Check the printer itself
Wake the printer and read its screen or status lights. Load paper and clear only errors you can identify safely, such as an open cover or empty tray. For a model-specific code, use the manufacturer’s support page.
You should see: The printer reaches a Ready state without a warning light or unresolved message.
Check the connection
For USB, reconnect the cable at both ends and try another computer USB port if available. For Wi-Fi, confirm the wireless indicator is on and that the printer and your device use the same network name—not a guest network.
You should see: The cable is secure or both devices show the same Wi-Fi network.
Restart printer and device
Turn the printer off, unplug it for about 30 seconds if the maker allows it, then power it back on. Restart the computer or phone. Restart the router only if every device lost the printer and doing so will not interrupt critical equipment.
You should see: The printer reconnects and changes from Offline or Unavailable to Ready.
Resume the queue and pick the right printer
Open the printer queue, resume it if paused, and on Windows confirm Use Printer Offline is not selected. In the Print window, choose the Ready printer that is physically present, not an old, fax, or PDF entry, then send a one-page test.
You should see: The queue is active and the new test job begins processing.
Run the built-in diagnostic
On Windows, use the printer troubleshooter in Get Help. For HP, try Diagnose & Fix in the official HP app. For other brands, use only the diagnostic on the manufacturer’s official support site or app.
You should see: The diagnostic identifies a connection or queue issue, or reports that no automatic fix was found.
Remove and add the printer again
If the printer is ready but still shows offline, remove that printer entry from Printers & scanners (Windows) or Printers & Scanners (Mac), then add it again using the maker’s current setup instructions.
You should see: A fresh printer queue appears and shows Ready, or you isolate the problem to one device.
Not sure this is the right page? Check here
0 of 5 checked
Extra tips
What to look for: Offline, Paused, Unavailable, Not Connected, or Cannot Communicate status; a blinking wireless light; an error on the printer display; or more than one copy of the same printer in the list
Before you change anything: Note whether the printer uses Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB. Read any message on the printer itself before restarting it. If this is a workplace or shared printer, ask the person who manages it before changing network or driver settings. Do not remove the printer yet; begin with checks that are easy to reverse.
Is your problem a little different?
Choose the guide that matches what you see. These problems can look similar but need different checks.
Need a little more help?
Tell us what’s happening. Your saved expert chat will open beside this article.
Free to use. Don’t include passwords or personal details.