How to Fix the Dreaded "Printer is Offline" Error

You hit print, nothing happens, and a tiny balloon pops up on your screen: Printer is Offline. This is the most common printing error in the world, usually caused by a communication breakdown between your router, computer, and printer.

Try these three steps to force it back online.

1. The Hard Power Cycle

Don't just hit the power button. We need to clear the network cache.

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug the printer directly from the wall outlet.
• Wait 60 full seconds.
• Plug it back in and turn it on. Wait for the Wi-Fi light on the printer to stop blinking and become solid. Try printing again.

2. Clear the Stuck Print Queue (Windows)

Sometimes, a corrupted document gets stuck in the invisible line of things waiting to print, causing the computer to mark the printer as offline.

• Type "Printers" into your Windows search bar and open Printers & Scanners.
• Click on your printer, then click Open queue.
• If there are documents stuck there, right-click them and select Cancel.
• Once the queue is empty, restart your computer and try again.

3. Uncheck "Use Printer Offline"

Windows has a manual setting that might have been accidentally toggled on.

• Open the Print Queue as described in step 2.
• In the top menu bar of the queue window, click on the Printer tab.
• Look for a checkmark next to Use Printer Offline. If it has a checkmark, click it to remove the checkmark.