Affiliate Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick answer: When a printer says offline, first open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners, select the printer, open the queue and untick Use Printer Offline. Then restart the printer, check it is on the right Wi-Fi network, and restart the Print Spooler service. One of those three steps fixes the vast majority of cases.
1. Untick “Use Printer Offline”
Windows sometimes flips the printer to offline mode by itself after a failed job. Open the print queue for your printer, click Printer in the menu bar, and clear the checkmark next to Use Printer Offline. On many machines this is the entire fix.
2. Clear the stuck print queue
A corrupted job at the head of the queue blocks everything behind it and can force the offline state. In the same queue window, choose Cancel All Documents, wait a few seconds, and try printing a test page.
3. Restart the printer and check the connection
Power the printer off for 30 seconds, then back on. While it restarts:
- Wi-Fi printers: confirm the printer joined the correct network – print a network configuration page from the printer menu if you are not sure.
- USB printers: reseat the cable at both ends, or try another USB port.
- Ethernet printers: check the link light on the port.
4. Restart the Print Spooler (Windows)
Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click it and choose Restart. This clears the queue engine itself and resolves offline states that survive a reboot.
5. Remove and re-add the printer
If the printer changed IP address, your computer may be talking to an address that no longer exists. Remove the printer in Printers & scanners, then add it again so the correct address is discovered. To stop this recurring, reserve a static IP for the printer in your router settings – our guide to the best modem-router combos covers models that make reservations easy.
6. Update or reinstall the driver
Download the latest driver from the manufacturer support page rather than relying on Windows Update. On Mac, remove the printer in System Settings → Printers and re-add it – macOS fetches a fresh driver automatically.
When it is time to replace
If your printer drops offline weekly despite a static IP and fresh drivers, the radio or controller board is often failing. See our current picks for the best laser printers for home offices and the best inkjet printers for home use.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my printer keep going offline?
The most common causes are the printer dropping off Wi-Fi (weak signal or a changed router IP), Windows setting “Use Printer Offline” automatically after a failed job, a stuck print queue, or outdated printer drivers. Assigning your printer a static IP address in the router prevents the most frequent repeat offender.
How do I get my wireless printer back online?
Restart the printer, then confirm it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer using its control panel or a printed network report. If it shows connected but still appears offline, remove the printer in Settings and re-add it so the computer picks up its current IP address.
Does resetting the print spooler delete my documents?
Restarting the Print Spooler service clears the jobs waiting in the queue, but it does not affect any files on your computer. You simply need to print the documents again after the spooler restarts.
Work through the fixes in order – queue first, connection second, drivers last – and the average “offline” printer is back up in under five minutes.
