You’ve uploaded several files to the printer however it isn’t printing any of them. You look up the status of your printer within the Windows Settings menu and it shows “Offline.” What does this mean? And how do you repair a printer stuck in offline mode on your computer?
Most of the time printers will show “Offline” if your computer is not able to communicate with the printer. This can be due to things like loose connections to cables and outdated printer drivers. issues with crucial system services or other system services. Check out the suggested fixes below to bring your printer working.
Check the Printer’s Cable or Network Connection
Before you begin to alter the settings on your PC, make sure that the printer is connected to the outlet for power and turned on. For printers that are wireless, make sure the printer and your PC are connected to one network.
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Some printers will go into “Sleep mode” after minutes of inactivity. In sleep mode, the printer will appear as offline on your PC. Press the power button of your printer (or the button of your choice) in order to “wake” it up. After a few seconds, examine if it changes the status of the printer in the direction of “Online” on your computer.
It is also important to make sure that the cable that connects the printer to your router or computer is compatible with the correct port. Additionally, you should connect directly to your computer’s port, not via a USB hub. If the printer is still offline, connect the printer over to a different port on your router or computer.
To connect wireless printers Reboot the router and then reconnect your printer with the wireless network.
Learn more about the printer’s Status Light
Windows will show your printer as “Offline” if there’s an issue with the printer. A simple way to know whether there’s a problem with the printer is to examine the status lights. If, for instance, the Wi-Fi indicator on a wireless printer is red, it’s probably an issue with the WiFi connection.
Status lights can also signal other issues, such as the failure of firmware updates or jammed papers in the cassette. Consult your printer’s instructions manual or the website of the manufacturer for more information on its status lights.
Disable Printer Offline Mode in Windows
Then, you must ensure that the printer isn’t operating in “Use Printer Offline” mode.
- Navigate into Settings Settings Devices and then Printers and scanners and select the relevant printer under the “Printers & scanners” section.
- Select Open queue.
- Choose Printer in the menu bar, and make sure that “Use Printer Offline” is not checked. If you see a checkmark next to the option, choose the option to Use Printer Offline to reconnect the printer.
Restart the Printer
If nothing has worked close the printer, let it run for an hour or so then turn off the power. If you prefer, unplug the printer from its power source, let it sit for an hour, then plug it back into.
Reboot Your Computer
The issue could also be caused by an intermittent system glitch in your system. Disconnect or unplug the printer. Shut down your PC, turn the printer back on, then connect the printer.
Update the Printer Firmware
Your printer may fail due to a problem with the firmware. If a problem with the firmware is the cause of the issue, you must download the most current firmware version of the printer. You can download firmware updates directly from the printer’s site, manufacturer’s website, or the software for your printer.
Run the Printer Troubleshooter
If you’re still unable to find the solution to connect your printer and work, use the Printer Troubleshooter to assist you. It’s an integrated tool that can identify and fix issues with printing for Windows devices.
- Navigate to Settings and then Update and Security > Troubleshoot and choose Troubleshooting options.
- Choose a Printer and then click the Run the Troubleshooter button.
The program will examine your Spooler service and the print queue for errors, check the configuration of your network printer, and perform other troubleshooting tests. If it detects any issues related to the affected printer it will suggest the most appropriate solution.
Troubleshoot your printer’s Software
Numerous printer brands offer specific software to fix printing issues on computers. HP is one example. HP offers a “Print and Scan Doctor” tool that can diagnose problems that occur with HP printing devices on Windows devices.
Contact your printer’s manufacturer to find out if they have an app that works with your printer model. You can also visit the “Support” or “Downloads” page on the website of manufacturer to download the app for managing printers.
Restart the Windows Print Spooler
Print Spooler Print Spooler is an important system component that is responsible for the printing of jobs as well as the identification of printing printers for Windows devices. Your printer might appear to be “Offline” if the Print Spooler service isn’t operating. Go to Windows Services Manager then ensure that everything is in order.
- Right-click on the Start menu icon, and then select Run.
- Copy or type services.msc in the dialog box, then select “OK”. It will start with Windows Services Manager. Windows Services Manager.
- Explore the available services, then right-click Printer Spooler and choose to restart.
It is the Windows Services Manager who will stop the process and start it instantly. If “Restart” is grayed out in the context menu, it means that it’s possible that the Printer Spooler wasn’t running in the first location. Choose “Start” to start the service.
4. Another thing to do is ensure that the service begins automatically. Click twice on to start the Print Spooler service, change to set the “Startup type” to Automatic Click Apply, and then click “OK”.
Visit navigate to the Windows Printer menu ( Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners) and verify that your printer is online.
Change the Windows Function Discovery Services
When the (network) printer is using this technology known as Web Services for Devices (WSD) technology check that your Windows Function Discovery service is working properly on your Windows PC. These services help your computer detect network devices.
- Use the Windows key + R Enter services.MSc in the dialog box, then press “OK”.
- Locate the Function Discovery Provider Host and Function Discovery Resource Publication.
- Double-click Function Discovery Provider to begin the service, switch its “Startup type” to Automatic Select Apply, and select OK.
- Follow the same procedure to create your function Discovery Resource publication.
If your printer is not working Unplug or disconnect the printer, then restart your computer, and then check again.
Remove the Printer from Scratch and Reinstall the printer from scratch
The best choice is to uninstall and then reinstall it from the beginning. Disconnect or unplug it from the computer and follow the instructions below.
- Click on settings Settings devices and then Printers and scanners Select the troublesome printer, then select the remove the device button.
- Choose Yes at the prompt for confirmation to continue.
Make sure your system is restarted, connect the printer cable, or connect it to the router/Wi-Fi network, and then move on through the steps to follow.
3. Choose Add a Printer Scanner to follow directions in the following page.
If you’re having difficulty connecting an Ethernet (or wireless) printer check out this detailed guide to connecting a printer to a network to Windows.
Install Windows Updates
Windows will automatically install and download up-to-date drivers for the devices you use. If your printer has been stuck in an “Offline” status due to an incompatible or outdated driver, setting up the most recent Windows Update could resolve the issue. Visit settings and then Update and Security > Windows Update and then click on the “Check for Updates” button.
We’re sure that following these steps will bring your printer back up and running. If not, check out our article on how to fix common printer issues. This guide on how to troubleshoot Wi-Fi printers is well worth reading.