What "offline" usually means
- The router restarted and the printer did not reconnect.
- Your computer hopped to a different Wi-Fi network.
- A print job is stuck and holding up the queue.
- There are two printer entries and the old one is selected.
Quick fix - Printers
My printer is offline. How do I reconnect it?
"Offline" almost always means your computer can still see the printer, but the two cannot talk right now. Nine times out of ten it is a Wi-Fi or stuck-queue thing, not a broken printer.
You are not the problem. This one is genuinely fiddly.
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The 30-second answer
Turn the printer off and back on. Make sure the printer and your computer are on the same Wi-Fi network. Cancel any stuck print job. Only remove and re-add the printer if it is still offline.
The thing that fixes it most often
Your computer and your printer both have to be talking to the same home Wi-Fi. Press play to watch what reconnecting usually looks like.
Your home Wi-Fi
ComputerOn home Wi-Fi
RouterHome network
PrinterOffline
OfflineRight now the printer cannot reach the router.
Try these first
- 1Wait two full minutes after turning the printer back on. Many printers reconnect slowly.
- 2Look at the printer screen for a Wi-Fi icon or your network name.
- 3Make sure your computer is not on guest Wi-Fi while the printer is on the main one.
Now try it on your device
Pick the screen in front of you.
Steps for Windows
- 1Open Settings, Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners.
- 2Select the printer, open its queue, and cancel anything stuck.
- 3On the printer page, make sure Use Printer Offline is turned off.
- 4Still offline? Remove the printer, restart it, then add it again.
- 5If you see two copies of the same printer, try the newest one first.
Do not install random driver fixer tools from ads. Windows already has the driver path you need.
Do not do these yet
- Install random driver fixer tools from ads.
- Factory-reset the printer before you know the Wi-Fi password.
- Call a support number from a search ad.
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My printer says offline. I am on [Windows / Mac], it is a [brand] printer, and it connects by [Wi-Fi / USB]. What should I try next?