Quick answer
Offline status usually means your computer can't currently communicate with the printer, not that the printer is broken. First check that it's on and connected (cable or WiFi), then in the print queue uncheck the offline option, and finally restart the Print Spooler service. In most cases this solves the problem in a few minutes.
How to recognize the problem
- Print queue shows "Offline" or "Printer is offline"
- Jobs are stuck in the queue and not printing
- Printer doesn't respond even to a test page
- Network printer is available on other computers but not yours
- Printer icon is grayed out or crossed out
Most common causes
Offline mode is enabled
Windows can keep the printer in offline mode even after the connection is restored, so jobs remain stuck. The option is turned off in the print queue.
Connection to the printer is lost
A loose USB cable, WiFi turned off on the printer, or a changed IP address breaks communication. The computer then shows the printer as unavailable.
Print Spooler service is stuck
The service that sends jobs to the printer can get stuck. Then the printer appears offline even though the connection is fine.
Wrong or outdated driver
After a major system update, the driver may stop working correctly. The printer then shows as offline or doesn't appear at all.
Printer is in sleep or deep sleep mode
Some models enter a mode after long periods of inactivity from which they don't wake automatically. The first job then doesn't reach the printer.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check power and connection
Make sure the printer is on and not in sleep mode, then press the wake button if it has one. For a USB model, check that the cable is firmly plugged in at both ends and try another USB port. For a network printer, check that WiFi is enabled on it and that it's on the same network as your computer.
- 2
Open the print queue
Go to
Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners(Windows 11) orSettings > Devices > Printers & scanners(Windows 10). Click your printer, thenOpen print queue. If the queue doesn't open, type the printer name in Start search and open it from the results. - 3
Turn off offline mode
In the print queue window, open the
Printermenu and uncheck the offline option. Then selectPrinter > Set as default printerif this printer should be the main one. Jobs that were waiting usually start immediately. - 4
Send a test page
In the same window, select
Printer > Properties > General > Print Test Page. If the page prints, the problem is solved. If not, continue with the next step. - 5
Restart the Print Spooler service
Press
Win + R, typeservices.mscand confirm. In the list, findPrint Spooler, right-click it and selectRestart. If the option isn't available, selectStart. Then send the test page again. - 6
Check the network printer's IP address
Find the current IP address on the printer or in its web interface. On your computer, open
Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners(Windows 11) orSettings > Devices > Printers & scanners(Windows 10), openPrinter properties > Portsand check that the address matches. If it has changed, add a new port or set a reserved IP address for the printer on your router. - 7
Remove and re-add the printer
If the status still shows, in
Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners(Windows 11) orSettings > Devices > Printers & scanners(Windows 10) select the printer and clickRemove device. Removing the printer may delete jobs waiting in the queue. Then click the add device button (Add devicein Windows 11 orAdd a printer or scannerin Windows 10) and wait for the printer to be found. Windows will try to reconnect it with the correct driver. - 8
Update or reinstall the driver
Download the latest driver from the manufacturer's official website for your model and system version. Install it and restart your computer. If the problem persists, remove the old driver using printer management tools (for example
Print Managementif available in your system version), then reinstall it. Removing the driver may affect other printers of the same model.
If none of this helps
Try the printer on another computer or connect it with a cable if it has been working wirelessly. This will quickly determine whether the problem is with the printer or the computer. Also check that the router isn't blocking devices on the network (so-called client isolation) and that the printer isn't in a mode that disables the network after sleep. If the printer is accessible via its web interface but not from your computer, the problem is almost certainly the driver or port. For older models, check whether the manufacturer still offers a driver for your system version; if not, consider replacing the device or using network printing via a print server.
How to prevent it
- Leave the printer on or wake it before the first job of the day
- Assign a reserved IP address to the network printer on your router
- Update the driver after major system updates
- Occasionally print a test page to check the connection
When to call a professional
Call IT support if the printer disappears from the network after every restart, if router settings need to be changed, or if it's a network printer used by multiple users and jobs are being lost.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Why does the printer show offline when it's turned on?
Offline status describes the connection between the computer and the printer, not the state of the device itself. Most often offline mode is enabled, the cable or WiFi is disconnected, or the Print Spooler service is stuck.
Will I lose jobs waiting in the queue?
No, if you only turn off offline mode or restart the Print Spooler service. Jobs remain saved and start when the connection is established. Removing the printer from the system may delete the queue, so do that only as a last resort.
How do I know if the problem is with the printer or the computer?
Send a print job from another computer or phone on the same network. If it still doesn't work, the problem is with the printer or network. If it works, the problem is with your computer's driver or settings.