You've sent several files to your printer but it doesn't print any document. You check the printer's status in the Windows Settings menu and information technology reads "Offline." What does this hateful and how can you set a printer that's stuck in offline status on your PC?

For the well-nigh function, a printer will appear "Offline" if your estimator is unable to establish advice with the device. This could be due to factors like loose cablevision connections, outdated printer drivers, bug with of import organization services, etc. Follow the recommended fixes below to become your printer online.

Cheque the Printer's Cable or Network Connexion

Before y'all jump to tweaking your PC's 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 aforementioned network.

Some printers become into "Sleep mode" after minutes of inactivity. In Sleep mode, the printer will appear offline on your computer. Printing the printer's power push (or whatsoever button) to "wake" it up. Wait for some seconds and check if that changes the printer status to "Online" on your reckoner.

You also desire to ensure that the cable connecting the printer to your estimator or router fits correctly in the advisable port. Likewise, connect the printer directly to your PC'due south port, not through a USB hub. If the printer continues to announced offline, switch the printer to a unlike port on your calculator or router.

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

Go Hints from the Printer's Condition Light

Windows will label your printer "Offline" if there'southward a problem with the device. One easy mode to tell if at that place'southward an consequence with your printer is to cheque its status lights. For case, if the Wi-Fi light on a wireless printer flashes red, in that location'south near likely a problem with the Wi-Fi connectedness.

Status lights could also indicate other issues similar firmware update failure or jammed paper in the cassette. Refer to your printer's instruction manual or the manufacturer'south website to larn more about its status low-cal indicators.

Disable Printer Offline Mode in Windows

Moving on, y'all also need to verify that the printer isn't in "Apply Printer Offline" mode.

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

Restart the Printer

If null's worked so far, shut downward the printer, await for a minute or two, and turn information technology back on. Alternatively, unplug the printer from the power source, wait for a minute, and plug it dorsum in.

Reboot Your Estimator

The problem could also exist due to a temporary system glitch on your computer. Unplug or disconnect the printer, shut down your computer, turn information technology on again, and reconnect the printer.

Update the Printer Firmware

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

Run the Printer Troubleshooter

If you still oasis't establish a ready to get your printer online, permit the Printer Troubleshooter assistance you out. It's 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's configuration, and run other troubleshooting checks. If it diagnoses any problem with the affected printer, it'll recommend the appropriate solutions.

Troubleshoot with the Printer'due south Software

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

Contact your printer manufacturer'due south to ostend if there'south an app for your printer model. Better still, visit the "Support" or "Downloads" section of the manufacturer'south website to download the printer management app.

Restart the Windows Print Spooler

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

  1. Right-click the Start menu icon and select Run.
  1. Type or paste services.msc in the dialog box and click OK. That'll launch the Windows Services Director.
  1. Scroll through the list of services, right-click Impress Spooler, and select Restart.

The Windows Services Manager will end the process and restart it immediately. If the "Restart" is grayed out on the context bill of fare, that ways the Printer Spooler wasn't running in the first place. Select Outset to launch the service.

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

Caput to the Windows Printer menu (Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners) and check if your printer'south now online.

Change the Windows Function Discovery Services

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

  1. Press the Windows primal + R, type services.msc in the dialog box, and press OK.
  1. Locate the Function Discovery Provider Host and Function Discovery Resource Publication.
  1. Double-click Function Discovery Provider, Start the service, alter its "Startup type" to Automatic, click Apply and and so select OK.
  1. Echo the same steps for the Function Discovery Resource 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 choice is to remove and reinstall the printer from scratch. Unplug or disconnect the printer from your PC and follow the steps below.

  1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the problematic printer, and select the Remove device button.
  1. Select Yeah on the confirmation prompt to proceed.

Restart your computer, plug in the printer cable or connect it to your router/Wi-Fi network, and keep to the next footstep.

  1. Select Add a printer or scanner and follow the instructions on the next folio.

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 commuter, installing the latest Windows Update could resolve the problem. Become to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click the Check for Updates button.

We're confident that ane of these steps will get your printer back online. Otherwise, refer to our guide on fixing mutual printer problems. This tutorial on troubleshooting Wi-Fi printers is also worth a read.