Wondering how to get your printer online if it’s showing offline? We know it can be very frustrating when your printer stops responding and doesn’t work. But don’t panic; printer problems can be fixed easily. Read this blog to learn how to fix a printer stuck in offline status on your computer. Here, we have explained some troubleshooting steps you can follow to fix printer offline problems instantly.
The printer showing offline could be due to an old and corrupt printer driver, connection or cable issues, jammed paper inside the print machine, outdated firmware version, etc.
Also, ensure that your printer is not off or in sleep mode by checking that the paper is loaded into the input tray, that the right ink or toner cartridge is installed, and that no error messages or blinking lights appear on the printer control panel. Also, be sure your printer is connected to a power source, and all wires are plugged in firmly.
Still, you are wondering why you are facing the issue again and again, follow the recommended fixes below to get your printer online.
Factors Responsible for Printer Offline Problem
Consider these factors whenever your printer says “Offline”-
- The printer is set to offline mode.
- Problems with the cables or network connection.
- Outdated or corrupted printer drivers.
- Outdated firmware.
- Jammed paper inside the carriage.
- The printer is not set as the default printer while taking prints.
Let’s look at the troubleshooting techniques you can use to fix this problem.
Methods to Fix the Printer Status from “Offline” to “Online”
You might be able to get online again if you follow these steps. To solve the Printer Offline problem, please follow these instructions. After completing each task, you can verify whether your printer has solved the problem.
We are sure one of these fixes will get your printer back online. So, let’s begin.
Fix 1: Check the Printer’s Network or Cable Connection
Ensure the USB cable to your printer is securely connected and that it has a functional USB port if you have connected it to the computer via a USB cable. Additionally, if your printer is connected to a wired network, ensure the router is operational and the cable is securely attached to the Ethernet port.
Let’s see how to check connection issues:
Steps to check USB Connection:
- Disconnect the power cable while keeping your printer “Off.”
- Wait for a few seconds.
- Now, turn on the printer again with a secure and strong connection.
- Finally, you need to perform a printing test to check its status.
Steps to check the Network Connection:
If your USB connection is correctly working, check for your network to find out the reason by following the steps:
- First, restart your printer and then your computer to check its status.
- Wait for a few seconds and recheck its network connection.
- In the available printer’s list, click on one of these options- Printers and Scanners, Print and Fax, or Print and Scan.
- From the options given, click on printer and “Open Printer Queue.”
If it doesn’t resolve the problem, we have explained many other fixes too. Just go through with them and fix the issue.
Fix 2: Ensure “Use Printer Offline” Mode is Not Selected
During “Use Printer in Offline Mode”, your printer shows offline status. Therefore, make sure that this option is not enabled while fixing the printer offline issue.
Follow the steps to manually set your printer to online mode:
- Go to the “Start” button.
- Select “Settings” > “Devices” > “Printers & Scanners.”
- From the list displayed, select your Printer and then “Open Queue.”
- Under “Printer” tab, ensure “Use Printer Offline” is not selected.
Through these manual steps, you can set your printer to online mode. Try one of the alternative methods if this doesn’t make the problem go away.
Fix 3: Restart the Printer
If there is no problem with your printer connection, try restarting your device.
To restart your printer, follow the steps as below:
- Unplug your printer from the power source and turn it “Off.”
- Wait for 30 seconds.
- Now, plug your printer back into the power socket and turn it “On.”
Hope this effort will fix your problem. If not, try to install a Windows update to fix this issue.
Fix 4: Install Windows Update
Having outdated or corrupted printer drivers will often cause your printer to display an “Offline” status. Installing the latest Windows Update could resolve this problem, as Windows automatically downloads and installs any driver that needs updating.
Go through these steps to install the Windows update:
- Go to the “Settings” button.
- Then, navigate to “Update and Security” and “Windows Update.”
- Here, click on the “Check for Updates” button.
Fix 5: Reinstall the Printer’s Drivers
Reinstalling and updating old printer drivers may fix the offline printer issue quickly if the problem is due to outdated or malfunctioning printer drivers on your printer. So, let’s fix this issue by reinstalling drivers on your printer.
To update or reinstall the printer drivers, go through these steps:
- First, navigate to the “Settings” button, then “Printers”, and select the printer.
- Right-click on the printer and choose the “Properties” option.
- Search for the driver button under the “General” or “Details” tab, select it and choose the driver again.
- Now, download the latest drivers to the printer manufacturer’s website.
- Next, proceed to reinstall the printer.
- In the “Settings” menu, under “Printers”, select the printer.
- Now remove the printer from the menu and use “Add Printer” driver wizard to reinstall your printer drivers.
- Select the latest printer drivers from the website and install them on your printer.
We hope that this simple fix may bring your Printer “Offline” to “Online.” If the problem persists, go to the next method.
Fix 6: Update the Printer’s Firmware
Your printer may appear offline if there’s a problem with its firmware. Therefore, install the latest firmware version of the printer by visiting the printer manufacturer’s website or via the printer software.
Fix 7: Restart the Print Spooler
If the print spooler service isn’t running accurately or there is a problem with spooler settings, your printer may show an “offline” status. To fix the spooler settings, follow the method described below.
Restart the Windows print spooler with the steps mentioned below:
- Right-click on the “Start” menu and select “Run.”
- Type “Services.msc,” in the dialogue box.
- Then, click “Ok” to launch the Windows Services Manager.
- It will display a list of services. Right-click “Print Spooler” and select “Restart.”
- Consequently, you can select “Start” to launch the service if it wasn’t running initially.
- Ensure that the service starts automatically.
- Double-click the Print Spooler service and set the “Startup type” to Automatic.
- Click “Apply”, and then select “OK.”
- Finally, restart your printer and computer.
Now, check if your printer is now online. If not so, contact A1 Printer Repair USA immediately for professional guidance and help.
Do You Need Tech Help?
Learn how to Fix Printer Offline Issues or Change your Printer Offline Status to Online with A1 Printer Repair Experts. Anytime you bump into an offline printer issue, follow the above instructions until the solution is found. If you have tried them and still need help, we are right around the corner. Call us on our toll-free number +1(928) 514-2464 to connect with the experts. Contact us via chat and email at Printer Repair Service in New Mexico for virtual help. A1 Printer Repair troubleshooting guides will help you resolve all the errors you encounter in your printer.