What this means

When your Mac says the printer is offline, your computer has lost contact with the device. Print jobs sit waiting in the queue because that link is broken.

You do not need a new printer, and you are not out of ink. The hardware is fine. The issue is a temporary block in communication between the two machines.

This happens for a few common reasons. A network printer changed its IP address, or a loose USB cable is interrupting the signal. Sometimes the print queue is paused, which makes the printer look offline when it is actually ready to work.

Common causes

  • Wi-Fi disconnection or router isolation settings
  • Printer in sleep mode or powered off
  • Dynamic IP address change on the local network
  • Stuck print queue blocking communication
  • Outdated macOS print drivers or software
  • Loose or faulty USB cable connection

What to check first

  1. 1Confirm the printer is turned on and displays a ready status on its screen.
  2. 2Verify that your Mac is connected to the exact same Wi-Fi network as the printer.

Step-by-step fix

  1. 1

    Restart Devices

    Turn off your printer, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your Mac as well to clear temporary network glitches.

  2. 2

    Resume Print Queue

    Open System Settings, click Printers and Scanners, and select your printer. Open the print queue and click Resume if the printer status says paused.

  3. 3

    Check Network Connection

    Print a network configuration page directly from the printer control panel to verify it has a valid IP address and matches your router network.

  4. 4

    Remove and Re add Printer

    In Printers and Scanners settings, select your printer and click Remove. Click Add Printer or Scanner, select your device from the list, and add it again.

    Removing the printer will delete current custom printer settings.

  5. 5

    Reset Printing System

    Control click or right click the printer list in Printers and Scanners settings and choose Reset printing system.

    This action removes all currently installed printers and requires you to add them back one by one.

  6. 6

    Update macOS Software

    Go to System Settings, click General, and select Software Update to ensure your Mac has the latest system updates and driver patches.

When to contact a professional

Call an IT professional if your printer keeps dropping offline. The issue usually traces back to complex enterprise VLAN settings, firewall restrictions, or a failing network card inside the machine.