You've sent several files to your printer just it doesn't print whatsoever document. You bank check the printer'south status in the Windows Settings card and it reads "Offline." What does this hateful and how can you fix a printer that's stuck in offline status on your PC?

For the most part, a printer volition appear "Offline" if your figurer is unable to establish communication with the device. This could be due to factors like loose cable connections, outdated printer drivers, problems with of import system services, etc. Follow the recommended fixes below to go your printer online.

Check the Printer'southward Cable or Network Connection

Earlier y'all leap to tweaking your PC'southward settings, make sure the printer is correctly plugged into the power outlet and powered on. For wireless printers, ensure your PC and printer are on the same network.

Some printers go into "Slumber mode" after minutes of inactivity. In Sleep mode, the printer will appear offline on your computer. Press the printer'southward power push (or any button) to "wake" it upwardly. Wait for some seconds and cheque if that changes the printer status to "Online" on your estimator.

Y'all also want to ensure that the cablevision connecting the printer to your calculator or router fits correctly in the appropriate port. Likewise, connect the printer directly to your PC's port, not through a USB hub. If the printer continues to appear offline, switch the printer to a dissimilar port on your estimator or router.

For wireless printer connections, reboot the router, and reconnect the printer to the network.

Get Hints from the Printer's Condition Lite

Windows volition label your printer "Offline" if at that place's a problem with the device. Ane easy fashion to tell if there'due south an issue with your printer is to check its status lights. For instance, if the Wi-Fi low-cal on a wireless printer flashes cherry, there'southward about likely a trouble with the Wi-Fi connection.

Condition lights could as well indicate other bug like firmware update failure or jammed paper in the cassette. Refer to your printer's pedagogy manual or the manufacturer's website to larn more about its status light indicators.

Disable Printer Offline Mode in Windows

Moving on, yous besides demand to verify that the printer isn't in "Utilise Printer Offline" mode.

  1. Head to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners and select the afflicted printer in the "Printers & scanners" section.
  1. Select Open queue.
  1. Select Printer on the menu bar and ensure "Use Printer Offline" is unchecked. If in that location'south a checkmark adjacent to the option, select Use Printer Offline to bring the printer back online.

Restart the Printer

If zip'due south worked so far, shut down the printer, expect for a infinitesimal or two, and turn it back on. Alternatively, unplug the printer from the ability source, look for a infinitesimal, and plug information technology dorsum in.

Reboot Your Computer

The problem could also exist due to a temporary organization glitch on your calculator. Unplug or disconnect the printer, close down your computer, plow it on again, and reconnect the printer.

Update the Printer Firmware

Your printer can malfunction if there's a problem with its firmware. If a firmware problems is the root cause of the trouble, install the latest firmware version for the printer. You lot can download a firmware update directly from the printer, the manufacturer's website, or via the printer software.

Run the Printer Troubleshooter

If you withal oasis't found a fix to become your printer online, permit the Printer Troubleshooter assist you out. It'due south a built-in tool that finds and fixes printing-related problems on Windows devices.

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and select Additional troubleshooters.
  1. Select Printer and click the Run the troubleshooter button.

The tool will check the Spooler service and print queue for errors, examine your network printer'south configuration, and run other troubleshooting checks. If it diagnoses any problem with the affected printer, it'll recommend the advisable solutions.

Troubleshoot with the Printer's Software

Many printer brands have dedicated software that fixes printing-related problems on a computer. HP, for example, has a "Print and Scan Doctor" tool that diagnoses problems with HP printers on Windows devices.

Contact your printer manufacturer's to ostend if there'south an app for your printer model. Amend yet, visit the "Support" or "Downloads" department of the manufacturer'due south website to download the printer management app.

Restart the Windows Print Spooler

The Impress Spooler is an important organisation component that powers the execution of impress jobs and the discovery of printers on Windows devices. Your printer may appear every bit "Offline" if the Print Spooler service isn't running. Head to the Windows Services Director and make sure everything's in order.

  1. Right-click the Start menu icon and select Run.
  1. Blazon or paste services.msc in the dialog box and click OK. That'll launch the Windows Services Managing director.
  1. Roll through the list of services, correct-click Print Spooler, and select Restart.

The Windows Services Manager will terminate the process and restart it immediately. If the "Restart" is grayed out on the context menu, that means the Printer Spooler wasn't running in the first identify. Select Start to launch the service.

  1. One last thing: make sure the service starts automatically. Double-click the Impress Spooler service, set the "Startup type" to Automatic, click Apply, and so select OK.

Head to the Windows Printer card (Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners) and check if your printer's now online.

Alter the Windows Role Discovery Services

If your (network) printer uses the Spider web Services for Devices (WSD) applied science, ensure the Windows Function Discovery services are running correctly on your Windows computer. These services aid your computer discover network devices.

  1. Press the Windows key + R, blazon services.msc in the dialog box, and press OK.
  1. Locate the Function Discovery Provider Host and Function Discovery Resources Publication.
  1. Double-click Function Discovery Provider, Start the service, change its "Startup type" to Automatic, click Employ and and so select OK.
  1. Echo the same steps for the Function Discovery Resources Publication.

If the printer stays offline, disconnect or unplug the printer, restart your PC, and check again.

Remove and Reinstall Printer from Scratch

Sometimes, the all-time selection is to remove and reinstall the printer from scratch. Unplug or disconnect the printer from your PC and follow the steps below.

  1. Become to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the problematic printer, and select the Remove device button.
  1. Select Yep on the confirmation prompt to go along.

Restart your calculator, plug in the printer cable or connect information technology to your router/Wi-Fi network, and proceed to the adjacent pace.

  1. Select Add a printer or scanner and follow the instructions on the adjacent page.

If you're having trouble installing your Ethernet or wireless printer, refer to this comprehensive guide on connecting a network printer in Windows.

Install Windows Updates

Windows automatically downloads and installs the latest drivers for your devices. If your printer is stuck in "Offline" status due to an outdated or buggy driver, installing the latest Windows Update could resolve the trouble. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click the Bank check for Updates button.

We're confident that one of these steps will go your printer dorsum online. Otherwise, refer to our guide on fixing common printer issues. This tutorial on troubleshooting Wi-Fi printers is too worth a read.