Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you bring your offline printer back online, whether it’s connected via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB.
- USB Printer: Ensure the USB cable is tightly connected to both printer and PC.
- Wi-Fi Printer:
- Printer should be powered ON.
- Check the Wi-Fi LED—it should be solid, not blinking.
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi if needed from printer’s control panel.
- Ethernet Printer: Ensure LAN cable is plugged in and router is working.
- Turn off the printer.
- Restart your computer.
- Turn the printer back on.
- Press
Windows + R, typecontrol printers, and hit Enter. - Right-click your printer > See what’s printing.
- In the new window, click Printer on the top menu.
- Uncheck “Use Printer Offline” if it’s checked.
- Go to
Control Panel > Devices and Printers. - Right-click your printer > select Set as default printer.
- Go to
Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. - Select Printer > Run the troubleshooter.
- Press
Windows + X> Device Manager. - Expand Printers, right-click your printer, and select Update driver.
- Or go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers.
- Use printer’s display to navigate to Network Settings > Wireless Setup Wizard.
- Select your Wi-Fi and enter password.
Tip: If your printer doesn’t have a screen, use the WPS button method:
- Press the WPS button on your router.
- Press the Wi-Fi button on the printer within 2 minutes.
- Restart your router and printer.
- Temporarily disable your firewall/antivirus.
- Check if another device can print to the same printer.