Why is My Printer Offline?

Imagine you are all set to print some important documents, but as you turn on the printer, it says offline, although you’ve ensured it’s properly connected and ready. This may leave you wondering, “Why is my printer offline?” 

In this article, we are going to discuss the primary reasons behind a printer being offline and how to fix them. Let’s begin!

Why is My Printer Offline? 

Here are a few reasons for answering your “Why is my printer offline?” question:

• Cables Not Connected Properly: One of the common reasons your printer, be it an inkjet or laser, is showing offline status is improperly connected cables. Remember, even a slight disconnection can disrupt communication between the printer and computer, which leads to this issue.
• Error Due to Paper Jam: Another major culprit for your printer being offline is printer paper jam. When paper gets stuck in the printer, it triggers an error message, and the printer goes offline until the jam is cleared. 
• Printer Driver and Software Issues: Outdated or corrupted software and drive can also make your printer go offline due to compatibility issues and lack of communication between the different OS and printer. 

How to Fix Your Printer? 

Let’s discuss a few fixes that will help you in resolving the “Why is my printer offline?” issue:

Check Your Cable and Connections 

Firstly, you should check the cable’s condition and the connections linking your printer to the computer. Ensure that all necessary cables are securely plugged in at both ends and aren’t damaged.

If any cable appears damaged, the best solution is to replace it with a new one and have your printer running smoothly. 

Remove and Reinstall Your Printer

Oftentimes, your computer may not recognize your printer due to various reasons, and the following steps can help you fix this issue:

Remove the Printer 

• Start by disconnecting your printer from the computer.
• Go to the Start menu, then go to Settings.
• In the Settings menu, locate and click on the Devices option.
• From the Devices menu, select Printers and Scanners.
• Find the printer you wish to remove from the list.
• Click on the printer and choose the option to Remove the device.

Reinstall Your Printer

• Reconnect your printer to the computer.
• Ensure it is powered on.
• If your printer doesn’t automatically appear, access the “Add a Printer or scanner” option.
• Follow the prompts to select and install your printer.

Disable Printer Offline Mode 

If your printer is offline, it’ll not work, making you wonder, “How do I force my printer from offline to online?” Don’t worry; the following steps will help you get rid of this issue:

• Select Start, then navigate to Settings.
• Go to Devices and choose Printers & scanners.
• Click on your printer and opt for Open Queue.
• Under Printer, ensure that the Use Printer Offline option is not selected.

If it is selected, disable it.

Reinstall the Drivers 

The last thing you should try to resolve the “Why is my printer offline?” issue is reinstalling the printer drivers. Here are the steps for it:

• Go to the Start menu and proceed to Settings.
• From there, navigate to Devices and then select Printers and Scanners.
• Under Related Settings, locate and click on Print server properties.
• In the Print server properties window, proceed to the Drivers tab.
• Find your printer’s driver in the list and click on it to select it.
• Click on the Remove button, then select Remove driver and driver package, and confirm by clicking OK.
• Return to the Print Server Properties window.
• Now, navigate to the Drivers tab again.
• Click on Add and follow the prompts in the Add Printer Driver Wizard to reinstall your printer driver.

Conclusion

The reasons for “Why is my printer offline?” can vary from cable damage to loose connections and even corrupt printer drivers. Paper jams also contribute to this problem. So, if you are looking for a high-quality paper that doesn’t get jammed in your printer, ensuring it works smoothly, Paper Papers has you covered.

We offer a variety of papers ranging from watercolor paper to vellum paper and more. 

Get in touch with us today to explore our selection and get the right paper for your printing needs!