How to Fix A Printer Offline on Your Windows PC

The process of switching on, and using a computer peripheral such as the printer is considerably easy for a lot of individuals, but it advances to a whole new level requiring some extra knowledge, when it involves a 'Printer Offline Fix.'

Why a Need to Fix A Printer Offline on Your Windows PC

Printing files and documents is an important office task, hence it becomes a problem when your printer goes offline. The only available option here would be to fix the problem immediately, if you want to make progress on your office tasks. Even much better is the fact that the fix only requires some adjustments that can be done in the settings, and your printer would be back to its earlier working condition.

If your Windows computer is plugged to another device, you'll have to ensure that that device is properly plugged in. Observe the USB cords and their connection to your device and PC. An offline printer problem is usually caused by an improper USB connection.

Although some of these problems can be taken care of with a reboot(restart), users of the Windows OS have stated otherwise. The offline printer problem may continue to occur even with the printer properly plugged to the computer. The restart fix may not always solve the problem, too. And that's why, in this post, we have brought to you the different ways and procedures to fix a disconnected/offline printer problem.

Best Ways To Fix The Offline Printer Error on Windows - Link

To solve this error on your computer, you can apply one of these methods that are listed in this article below. Due to the offline printer problem possibly resulting from different factors, one procedure alone may not get the problem solved. So without wasting further time, let's see these methods:

Check Your Printer's Connection

Like other devices that can be connected to your Windows computer, it is necessary that you first check the USB connection for any detachment or a not too obvious disconnection. Follow these step by step method to get this done:

• Shut down your Windows computer.
• Next, turn off the printer as well.
• Next, disconnect every other cables that are connected to your printer, along with the power cable.
• Press the printer's power button and hold it for 30 seconds.
• You may now plug in the cables, and also its power cable.
• Connect the printer to your computer via its USB cable. If the connection still does not work out, you may have to change the USB cable.
• Ensure that your computer is connected to an Ethernet. Observe the port for the Ethernet connection in case of any abnormal or improper connection between printer and PC.
• As an alternative, check the wireless network to know if the printer is connected with a wireless connection, or is connected to the PC's network.
• Now return to the Devices and Printers section located in the Control Panel, and see if the printer error has been solved.

Change Your Printer's Status

• Start the Run Box by using the Windows + R keys simultaneously.
• Next, enter the text control printers into the box and then click ok or Enter. The window named 'Devices and Printers' will now be opened.
• Now right-click on the printer that is currently in use by your PC.
• Afterwards, you'll see a list of options. Click on the Set as Default Printer option.

• Next, right-click again on the printer that has been set as default and select see what's printing.
• Locate the Printer queue and see if there are any unfinished or incomplete tasks. Delete them from the queue, if any.
• In Printer Queue, select your present default printer and uncheck the Use Printer Offline option.
• Now uncheck the Pause printing option as well and see if the Offline printer problem has been solved.

Update The Printer's Driver

• Start the Run Box by using the Windows + R keys simultaneously.
• Next, enter the text services.msc into the box and then click ok or Enter. The window named 'Services' will now be opened.
• Find the Print Spooler service and right-click.
• Select the Stop option from the list displayed.
• Now, revisit the Run box and enter Printui.exe /s /t2 and hit Enter.
• When the Printer Server Properties screen is displayed, look for any printer devices that is problematic or causing errors.
• When you find the guilty printer, simply remove it.

• Confirm the removal by selecting Yes.
• Now, open the Run box again with the input services.msc.
• Afterwards, scroll down till you find the Print Spooler option. Right-click on it and choose Start.
• Now, search for your printer manufacturer's site.
• Next, download and install the latest printer driver for the printer that is connected to your PC.

As an alternative, the printer application which is pre-installed on the printer can be used to perform a driver update. Finally, check your printer if the error has been fixed.

Restart Print Spooler Service

• Start the Run Box by using the Windows + R keys simultaneously.
• Next, enter the text services.msc into the box and then click ok or Enter. The window named Services will now be opened.
• Find the Print Spooler service and right-click.
• Observe it's startup type and see if it is Automatic as default. Ensure that the Print Spooler service is running also.
• Now, end the service by selecting Stop.
• Next, restart the service by clicking on the Start option.
• And then Select Apply and OK to effect these changes.
• Next, add the selected printer again.
• Check if the printer is online now.

Add Another Printer Device

If you cannot deal with an offline printer and the errors that come with it, you may prefer to add another printer entirely. Note that this alternative would work only if your printer is connected via a wireless network, not a USB connection. Follow this procedure to get it done:

• Go to Windows Settings on your computer by using the Windows + I keys simultaneously.
• Next, visit the Devices section.
• Select the 'Bluetooth and Other Devices' section on the left side list.
• Now, go to Devices and Printers on right side.
• Select the appropriate printer that you want to connect to and click on Manage.
• Select the Printer Properties option from the list.
• Now, head to the Ports tab and select the Add Port option.
• Click the Standard TCP/IP Port option which is found under Available Port Types.
• Now, select the New Port option.
• You'll now see the Standard TCP/IP Port Wizard option. Simply click on Next.
• Enter the IP address of the printer and its Port name. You may want to see the Printer's manual.
• Next, select Next to continue.
• Wait for a few seconds until Standard TCP/IP Printer data has been successfully created, and then click Finish to finalize the method.
• Your printer has now been installed. From here, the offline printer error can now be solved on your Windows computer.

Reinstall Printer Drivers

• Start the Run Box by using the Windows + R keys simultaneously.
• Next, type in Control Printers into the empty search bar and select Enter to open Devices and Printers settings.
• Now, right-click the printer that your computer is presently connected to.
• Choose the Remove Device option from the displayed list.
• Confirm by clicking Yes.
• When the Driver has been removed, you may then download the recent Printer devices from your printer manufacturer's site.
• Next, reboot your PC.
• When Windows has fully started, begin the Run Box by using the Windows + R keys simultaneously.
• Next, type in Control Printers into the empty search bar and select Enter.
• Select the Add a Printer option in Devices and Printers.
• When your PC starts connecting to your printer, windows will eventually detect the printer. Click on it, and then click on Next to continue.
• Set it up as the default printer and select the 'Finish' option. See if this fixes the error.

Use The Printer Troubleshooter

• Open the Control Panel by searching for it on Windows search bar or Cortana.
• Search for Troubleshooting on the Control Panel search bar.
• Select Troubleshooting from the results, and continue to view all on the left aspect of the window.
• Choose Printer from the Troubleshoot Computer Problems list.
• Now, ensure that the displayed instructions are adhered to.
• Wait for a while till Troubleshooter finishes its scan.
• Finally, restart your computer. The offline Printer error should be taken care of now.

Final Words

Because of the value of the printer in today's workplace and office setting, it could be time-consuming and tiring to be faced with an offline printer issue. A few times, a restart may just fix the problem. You might also want to ensure that it isn't due to technical problems from your end, such as a slight disconnect, which is easily solved with a plug/unplug fix. If error persists even after these quick fixes, then the problem may be from either of both systems, in which case the above methods become applicable.

Watch the below video for details: