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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
“Offline” does not necessarily mean the printer is turned off. The cause may be a paper or cartridge error, a lost Wi‑Fi connection, a stuck queue, Windows’ Use Printer Offline setting, a failed Print Spooler service, an old printer entry, or a changed network address. Follow the least-destructive steps below in order. The Windows instructions apply to Windows 11 and Windows 10; a separate macOS workflow appears later.
Choose your computer and connection
| Situation | Start here |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Use Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. You can also run the printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. |
| Windows 10 | Use Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, although existing computers can still print. |
| macOS | Use Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners and manage jobs in Print Center. |
| USB printer | Inspect both ends of the cable and test a direct computer connection. |
| Wi‑Fi or Ethernet printer | Verify the printer and computer can reach the same local network. |
| Shared printer | Check the computer that physically hosts the printer; it must remain powered on, connected, and sharing. |
Chromebook and Linux menus differ; use the printer maker’s instructions for that platform rather than applying Windows service steps.
1. Check the printer before changing computer settings
- Read the printer display and look for paper jams, an open cover, no paper, empty or incompatible ink/toner, maintenance alerts, authentication prompts, or Wi‑Fi setup errors.
- Confirm it is powered on and not repeatedly shutting down or rebooting.
- For USB, firmly reconnect both ends. Connect directly to the computer, not through a questionable hub, and try another compatible port or cable. Epson specifically recommends a direct connection when diagnosing USB problems (Epson guidance).
- For Wi‑Fi, confirm the printer’s displayed network name is your normal network, not a guest network. A router replacement or reset may have erased its credentials.
- For Ethernet, check both the printer cable and the router or switch port.
Fix a printer-side warning first. Windows settings cannot clear a physical jam or an empty cartridge.
2. Power-cycle both devices
- Turn off the printer.
- Unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on. This is a basic power cycle, not a factory reset.
- Restart the computer and try a small test page.
Microsoft documents this sequence in its Windows offline-printer guidance.
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3. Verify the connection
Wireless printers
The computer and printer usually need to be on the same local Wi‑Fi network. Guest-network isolation, VLAN rules, VPN software, or a router’s client-isolation feature can prevent discovery even when both devices show Wi‑Fi. If the printer has a network-information page, note its IP address and open that address in a browser on the computer. A printer web page that will not load indicates a network path problem rather than a queue setting.
USB printers
If the printer does not appear in the operating system’s printer list, try another direct USB port and a known-good cable. Duplicate or failed entries can remain after a port or cable change; remove the obsolete entry later in this guide.
Shared printers
A printer shared from another Windows or Mac computer depends on that host being awake, connected to the network, and still sharing the printer. If the host sleeps or loses its connection, every client may report the printer as offline. Apple describes this dependency for Mac sharing (Apple’s shared-printer guidance).
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- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
4. Clear stuck jobs in Windows
- In Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. In Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select the affected printer and choose Open print queue (Windows 10 may say Open queue).
- Select each pending document and choose Cancel.
- Submit a new test page.
A corrupt job can block every later document. If cancellation never completes, continue to the Print Spooler repair below.
5. Clear “Use Printer Offline” and pause status
- Open the printer’s queue.
- In the classic queue window, open the Printer menu.
- Ensure Pause Printing and Use Printer Offline are not selected.
- If Windows is sending work to a duplicate or old device, set the correct printer as the default.
Clearing this option only corrects an incorrect status flag. It cannot repair a disconnected printer, paper jam, failed network, or broken driver. Microsoft lists these checks in its offline-printer procedure.
6. Restart the Windows Print Spooler
Safe graphical method
- Press the Windows key, search for Services, and open the app.
- Find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.
- Retry the print job.
When the queue remains stuck
- In Services, open Print Spooler and select Stop.
- In File Explorer, enter
%WINDIR%system32spoolPRINTERSin the address bar. - Delete the files inside that folder only; do not delete the entire
spooldirectory or unrelated Windows files. - Return to Services, select Start, and set the service startup type to Automatic.
This removes pending jobs. Microsoft’s full procedure is documented at Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows.
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- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
Administrator command-line alternative
Close the printer queue, open Command Prompt as Administrator, and run:
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del /q /f "%WINDIR%System32spoolPRINTERS*"
net start spoolerUse the graphical method if you are unsure about administrative commands.
7. Remove and add the printer again
Do this when the printer remains offline after queue and connection checks, appears multiple times, stopped working after an upgrade, or points to an old network address.
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- Windows 11: go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Remove, return to the page, and select Add device.
- Windows 10: go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Remove device, then select Add a printer or scanner.
- Select the exact model and connection when Windows finds it. Print a test page.
Reinstallation recreates the queue; it does not fix a failing router, recurring Wi‑Fi loss, or a hardware error.
8. Install the correct driver—only when needed
- Try Windows’ built-in Add device process first.
- If detection fails or features such as scanning and duplex printing are missing, visit the printer manufacturer’s official support page.
- Choose the exact model and operating-system edition. Avoid third-party “driver updater” utilities.
- On ARM-based Windows PCs, manufacturer installers may not work correctly. Use Windows’ printer-addition flow and the maker’s ARM-specific instructions instead, as Microsoft notes in its compatibility guidance.
9. Fix recurring network or IP-address problems
If the printer works briefly after reinstallation, or the router was replaced, its current IP address may differ from the address stored in Windows. Print or view the printer’s network-configuration page, compare that address with the Windows printer port, and then remove and re-add the printer. If the address keeps changing, reserve it in the router’s DHCP settings or use the printer’s supported stable-address configuration. Incorrect manual network settings can make the printer unreachable, so do not choose an arbitrary static address.
HP’s network guidance explains how to inspect the printer IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway (HP support). Adding by IP can be more reliable than automatic discovery, but the printer and network must support the selected protocol.
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- Wireless Bluetooth Printer: Portable thermal printer compatible with iPhone, Android phones, iPad and tablet computers via Bluetooth. For smartphones, please download the "Nada Print" App. You can also connect to laptops and computers for printing using a USB-C cable. (Note: Laptops and computers can only be connected via USB and require the installation of a driver first. Bluetooth connection is not supported.)
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Mac: fix an offline printer
- Confirm the printer has power, paper, ink or toner, and no hardware warning. Confirm the Mac and printer can reach the same network.
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and inspect its queue.
- Use Print Center to cancel, pause, or resume jobs.
- Control-click the printer and choose Remove Printer, then select Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax to add it again.
- Prefer AirPrint when the model supports it; compatible printers generally need no separate driver. For a printer that does not appear, add it by IP using a supported AirPrint, IPP, LPD, or HP Jetdirect Socket protocol. Apple documents these options at Connect a printer to your Mac.
- Use Reset Printing System only as a last resort. Apple’s reset removes all configured printers, completed-job information, and printer presets (Apple reset instructions).
When the problem is probably outside the computer
Seek printer, router, manufacturer, or workplace IT support when:
- The printer reports a persistent mechanical or electrical error.
- No device—not even a phone or another computer—can print.
- USB and network connections both fail.
- Wi‑Fi drops repeatedly after resets and correct credentials.
- The model has no driver or AirPrint support for the operating system.
- The computer is managed by work or school policies that prevent driver installation, service changes, or IP-printer setup.
Do not buy a replacement printer merely because Windows says “Offline.” Consider a new cable, improved network equipment, Ethernet, or a newer printer only after troubleshooting identifies that physical or compatibility problem.
The Bottom Line
Start with the printer’s own display and connection, then clear the queue, turn off Use Printer Offline, restart Print Spooler, and only afterward remove, reinstall, or reconfigure the printer. This sequence fixes common status and queue failures without masking a real network or hardware fault.
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