What this means
Your computer has lost its connection to the printer, which is why your jobs are not going through. This happens on both network and USB setups.
An offline status does not mean your printer is broken or out of ink. The hardware is fine. Windows has simply stopped talking to it.
The drop in communication comes down to a few common culprits. Your router might have assigned a new IP address to the printer, or a USB cable is loose. Security software can block the ports Windows needs, or the print spooler service has hit a temporary glitch.
Common causes
- Printer is turned off or in sleep mode
- Network connection dropped
- Printer set to use offline mode manually
- Print spooler service is stuck
- Incorrect IP address for network printers
What to check first
- 1Verify the printer is powered on and check physical cable or Wi-Fi connections.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Restart Devices
Turn off the printer, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your computer as well.
- 2
Disable Use Printer Offline
Open Settings, go to Bluetooth and devices, click Printers and scanners, select your printer, open the print queue, click the Printer menu, and uncheck Use Printer Offline.
Ensure no other user is currently printing.
- 3
Restart Print Spooler
Open the Windows Services app, locate Print Spooler, right click it, and select Restart.
- 4
Run Printer Troubleshooter
Open Settings, go to System, then Troubleshoot, then Other troubleshooters, and run the Printer troubleshooter.
- 5
Remove and Readd Printer
In Printers and scanners, remove the device completely, then click Add device to reinstall it.
When to contact a professional
Call a network administrator or service technician if the network card has physical damage or firewall rules keep blocking local communication. Do not open the printer. Never attempt internal power repairs.