How to Fix Printer Offline Issues on Windows and Mac

Nothing is more frustrating than needing to print an important document and discovering that your printer is showing offline. Printer offline issues can occur on both Windows and Mac computers, but the good news is that they are usually fixable. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step solutions to resolve the printer is showing offline problems on both operating systems.

Understanding the ‘Printer Offline’ Issue

Before we delve into the solutions, let’s understand why your printer might go offline:

1. Connection Problems: A loose cable, Wi-Fi connectivity issues, or network problems can cause your printer to show offline.

2. Print Queue Issues: Sometimes, a stalled print queue or pending print jobs can put the printer in an offline state.

3. Driver or Software Problems: Outdated or corrupted printer drivers or software can disrupt communication with the printer.

4. Hardware Issues: Occasionally, hardware problems within the printer itself can lead to offline status.

How to Fix Printer Offline Issues on Windows

Let’s start with Windows. Here’s how to troubleshoot printer offline problems on a Windows computer:

Step 1: Check Physical Connections:

• Ensure that all cables connecting your printer to your computer or network are securely plugged in.
• For wireless connections, make sure your printer is within the Wi-Fi range, and the Wi-Fi signal is stable.

Step 2: Restart Your Printer:

• Turn off your printer and unplug it from the power source.
• Wait for about 30 seconds before plugging it back in and turning it on.
• Allow the printer to complete its startup process and check if it’s online again.

Step 3: Verify Printer Status on Windows:

• On your Windows computer, go to “Devices and Printers.
• Locate your printer in the list of devices. If it shows as “offline,” right-click on it and select “See what’s printing.”
• In the print queue window, click “Printer” in the menu bar and uncheck “Use Printer Offline” if it’s selected.

Step 4: Clear Print Queue:

• A stuck print job can sometimes cause the printer to go offline. To clear the print queue:
• Go to “Devices and Printers.”
• Right-click on your printer and select “See what’s printing.”
• In the print queue window, click “Printer” in the menu bar and choose “Cancel All Documents.”

How to Fix Printer Offline Issues on Mac

Now, let’s address printer offline issues on a Mac computer:

Step 1: Check Physical Connections:

• Ensure that all cables connecting your printer to your Mac or network are securely plugged in.
• For wireless connections, make sure your printer is within the Wi-Fi range, and the Wi-Fi signal is stable.

Step 2: Restart Your Printer:

• Turn off your printer and unplug it from the power source.
• Wait for about 30 seconds before plugging it back in and turning it on.
• Let the printer complete its startup process and check if it’s online again.

Step 3: Verify Printer Status on Mac

• Go to “System Preferences” on your Mac.
• Select “Printers & Scanners.”
• Locate your printer in the list of devices. If it shows as “offline,” click on it to select it, then click the “Open Print Queue” button.
• In the print queue window, click “Printer” in the menu bar and uncheck “Pause Printing” and “Use Printer Offline” if they’re selected.

Step 4: Clear Print Queue

• Similar to Windows, a stuck print job can cause offline issues on a Mac. To clear the print queue:
• Go to “System Preferences” > “Printers & Scanners.”
• Select your printer and click the “Open Print Queue” button.
• In the print queue window, click “Printer” in the menu bar and choose “Cancel All Documents.”

Step 5: Reinstall Printer Drivers (If Needed):

• If the problem persists, you may need to reinstall the printer drivers on your Mac. Visit the printer manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers for your specific model.

Conclusion

Encountering the “printer is showing offline” issue can be frustrating, but with the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can often resolve the problem on both Windows and Mac computers. By checking physical connections, restarting your printer, verifying settings, and clearing the print queue, you can get your printer back online and ready to handle your printing tasks efficiently. Remember to perform regular maintenance and keep your printer drivers up to date to prevent similar issues in the future.

If the problem still persists, you can refer to printer support services. 24x7 Printer Support provides the best Printer Support Services. They have a team of printer experts. For each query, they provide a dedicated printer expert who guides you step by step to resolve your printer issue.