Connectivity
Printer shows offline but is powered on
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Likely causes and fixes
1. The printer is powered on but has dropped off the network, so the computer can no longer reach it.
Turn off the printer and unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it back on.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in WindowsUse the printer's built-in menu to check its Wi-Fi connection, or its manual for how to add it to a Wi-Fi network, and confirm it is on the same network as the computer.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in WindowsRestart the computer. This refreshes the services and components it uses to communicate with the printer.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in Windows
2. Windows is set to use the printer offline, or printing is paused, so jobs are held no matter what the printer is doing.
On Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, then select Open queue.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in WindowsSelect Printer, then clear Pause Printing and Use Printer Offline if either is selected.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in WindowsIn the same Printer menu, select Set As Default Printer so jobs are not sent to a different queue.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in WindowsOn Windows 11, select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, then select Set as default.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in Windows
3. Jobs are stuck in the print queue, or the Print Spooler service that manages the queue has stalled.
On Windows 11, open the printer from Printers & scanners, select Open print queue, then select the ellipsis and Cancel all if any jobs are pending.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in WindowsOn Windows 10, select the printer and Open queue, then under Document Name select any documents listed, select Document, and select Cancel.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in WindowsGo to Search in the taskbar, type services, and select Services in the results. Scroll to the Print Spooler service, right-click it, and select Restart.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in Windows
4. The printer's registration on the computer is stale, so the entry in the printer list no longer matches the machine on the network.
On Windows 11, open Printers & scanners, select the printer to uninstall, select Remove, then select Yes. On Windows 10, select the printer, select Remove device, then select Yes.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in WindowsMake sure the printer is turned on and connected. On Windows 11, next to Add a printer or scanner select Add device; on Windows 10, select Add a printer or scanner. Follow the instructions to reinstall it.
Source: Troubleshooting offline printer problems in Windows
5. On a Mac, the printer is paused, or the job was sent to a different printer's queue.
Click the Print Center icon in the Dock to open the printer's queue window. If the Resume button is showing in the toolbar, the printer is paused — click it to resume printing.
Source: Solve printing problems on MacFor a directly connected printer, check that the cable is firmly connected, the printer is plugged into an electrical outlet, and it is turned on.
Source: Solve printing problems on MacFor a network printer, confirm the Mac and the printer are still on the same network and the printer is turned on.
Source: Solve printing problems on MacIf the job is not in this printer's queue, check the queues of the other printers in Print Center — it may have been sent to a different one.
Source: Solve printing problems on Mac
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