Fix a printer that keeps showing offline

An offline status almost always means your computer lost the network path to the printer, not that the printer is broken.

1. 1

   Power cycle the right way

   Turn the printer off, unplug it from the wall for 60 seconds, then plug it directly into the outlet (not a surge strip) and power on.

2. 2

   Confirm the printer is on your network

   Print a network configuration page from the printer panel and check the IP address is on the same subnet as your computer, e.g. 192.168.1.x.

3. 3

   Clear the 'Use Printer Offline' flag

   On Windows open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers, open the print queue, and uncheck Use Printer Offline. Cancel every stuck job.

4. 4

   Restart the print spooler

   Press Win+R, run services.msc, right-click Print Spooler and choose Restart. On macOS reset the printing system from System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

5. 5

   Re-add the printer by IP

   Add the printer again choosing 'Add by TCP/IP address' and enter the IP from step 2. Set a DHCP reservation in your router so the IP never changes.

Keep reading