Printer offline problem usually occurs following a Windows 10 update. When the issue occurs, you, quite obviously, can’t print anything.
While this problem can arise other times, too, most Windows 10 users have complained of receiving the error after upgrading to Windows 10.
In many cases, printer works after reboot, but this happens only once. Then again the printer status is shown as offline.
The printer offline issue is not limited to Windows 10. It is something that troubles Windows 8 and Windows 7 users, too.
In this post, we’ll look at all the possible solutions to this irritating problem.
However, first let’s start with other issues similar to the printer offline problem. We’ll cover them as well in our post.
Other Common Printer Errors
- Printer offline error processing – When you try to use your network printer, you may receive Error processing command. A pretty common problem, it can be fixed by following one of the solutions listed in this post.
- Printer offline Canon, Epson, Ricoh, HP – You can get this error with any type of printer.
- Wireless printer offline – If you have a wireless printer, you may receive this problem.
- Printer offline SNMP – The SNMP feature at times cause this particular problem. You can resolve the issue by disabling SNMP feature.
- Printer offline unable to ping – So what happens here is that the Windows can’t recognize the connected printer. Many Windows users have said that they couldn’t ping the network printer.
- Network printer offline VPN – This issue typically arise when a VPN is involved. You may be able to solve the problem by changing the VPN configuration.
Why Printer Offline Issue Occurs?
Windows isn’t able to recognise the printer, and as a result this problem occurs.
Before you try the solutions listed in the post, we recommend you follow these tips.
- You should ensure your printer is correctly connected to your laptop or desktop PC.
- If the printer is connected properly, turn it off and then after a minute or two turn it on. See if the issue is fixed.
- You need to rule out any problem with the printer. Connect it to another computer and then check whether it is working fine. In case the printer doesn’t work when connected with another PC, you can safely conclude that the problem lies with the printer
- Microsoft has its own printer troubleshooter. We recommend you give it a go. Click here to run this printer troubleshooter.
- Ensure your printer is set up as default printer.
- Perform these steps in the order they appear.
- Turn off the Wi-Fi
- Now turn off your printer
- Shutdown Windows
- Turn the Wi-Fi back on. Wait till it start
- Once your Wi-Fi is running, start the printer
- Start Windows
- Reinstall the printer. To do this, perform the steps listed below.
- Press the Windows key
- Click Settings
- Click Devices
- Click Printers & Scanners
- Select the printer. Now select Remove Device. Now follow on-screen instructions, if any.
- Finally click Add a printer or scanner. Follow on-screen instructions
Solve Printer Offline Issue
Here are some common solutions to this problem. All of these solutions have worked for other Windows users. So you should give them a try, too. You don’t have to try all the solutions listed below. Start with the first one, and move to the next one if the problem persists and so on.
Solution 1 – Reinstall Printer Driver/Software
In case the issue started appearing after upgrading to Windows 10, you should first reinstall/update printer driver.
The printer offline issue could be occurring because of incompatible drivers. You can download the latest printer software from the manufacturer’s website.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Press Win + R
- In the run box, type control panel and then press the OK button or Enter
- In the Hardware and Sound heading, click Devices and Printers
- Now locate your printer and right-click on it and then click Remove Device
- If you are asked to confirm your action, click OK
Now you need to go to your printer’s manufacturer’s site. Here locate the newest printer software for the installed printer. Now download this printer software and install it.
Once you’ve done this, check if the problem is resolved.
Update Printer Drivers Automatically
Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:
- You can update device drivers automatically
- The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
- The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
- Automatic driver updates are 100% safe
Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.
Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app
Step 2
Scan all devices
Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically
Solution 2 – Check Printer Status
Here are the steps to follow.
- Press Win + R
- In the run box, type control panel and then click the OK button or press Enter
- In the Hardware and Sound heading, click Devices and Printers
- Browse through the list of installed printers and right-click your printer and click See what’s printing
Note: In case this option doesn’t appear on your screen, you will need to right-click the printer and click set as default. Once you’ve done this, perform the last step, as well as the next step in the list.
- Click Printer in the new window that opens on your screen
- Now select Pause Printing as well as User Printer Offline. In case there’s a tick before either of or both these options, simply remove the tick by clicking at these options.
Now check whether the printer status has been changed or not.
Solution 3 – Restart Print Spooler Service
Many Windows users have stated that they were able to resolve the printer offline issue by simply restarting their printer spooler service.
The printer needs this particular service to print and sometimes the problem goes away after this service is restarted.
Here are the steps to follow.
- Press Win + R
- In the run box, type msc and then click the OK button or press Enter
- In the Services window, browse through the list of services in the right pane and when you find Print Spooler service, you need to right-click it and then select the Restart option
Once you’ve restarted the Printer spooler service, you should check if “printer offline” problem persists.
However, remember this solution is not a permanent one. If the problem reoccurs, you will have to perform the aforementioned steps again to restart printer spooler service.
In case this solution didn’t work, move on to the next solution.
Solution 4 – Add a New Port
You can try to add a second printer. This step is known to work in many cases. However, do keep in mind that this particular solution works only with networked printers.
Here are the steps to follow.
- Press Win + R
- In the run box, type control panel and then press the OK button or Enter
- In the Hardware and Sound heading, click Devices and Printers
- Now locate your printer and right-click on it and then click Printer properties
- Click the Ports
- Now click the Add Port button
- In the Printer Ports box, click Standard TCP/IP Port
- Now click the New Port button
- A Printer Port Wizard window will open on your screen. Here you need to click the Next button
- Now enter the IP address of your printer. In case you are not aware of the printer’s IP address, you should check the printer’s manual. Alternatively, you can visit the official site of your printer’s manufacturer and check for this information there. You are likely to be able to locate the instruction or manual set of the printer model you are using from the manufacturer official site. The printer’s IP address will be listed in it. You’ll have to look for the printer’s IP address yourself as it differs from one printer to another
- Enter Port Name. If you feed in the IP address of the printer, the system will on its own fill the name of the Port
- Let the Wizard run
- Now choose Standard TCP/IP Port
- Click the Next button and then click Finish
Solution 5 – Install KB3147458 Update
Windows 10 users may be able to resolve this problem by installing this Windows update.
The best thing is to let Windows install the latest updates as and when they appear. However, even if you are not comfortable with letting Windows install updates automatically, you should install certain updates that are deemed as extremely important.
The KB3147458 update is one such update. Windows released it to fix printer-related issues in Windows 10. Therefore, ensure you have this update.
In case you haven’t installed this particular update, do it now, as it may help fix the aforementioned problem.
Here are the steps to follow.
- Press Win + R
- In the run box, type cpl and then click the OK button or press Enter
- Now click the View installed updates option
- Go through the list of Windows updates to see if KB3147458 update is installed. If it isn’t, install it
- The simplest way to install this update is to let Windows search for newest updates and install them
- Click Windows key
- Click Settings
- Now select Update & Security
- Click the Check for updates option
Now Windows will conduct a search for the latest updates and automatically install them. After the update is installed, restart Windows and check if the issue is fixed or not.
Solution 6 – Change Port Settings
For some users changing port settings fixed the “printer offline” issue. You should also give it a go.
Here are the steps to follow.
- Press Win + R
- In the run box, type control panel and then press the OK button or Enter
- In the Hardware and Sound heading, click Devices and Printers
- Now locate your printer and right-click on it and then click Printer properties
- Click the Ports
- Now click the Add Port button
- In the Printer Ports box, click Standard TCP/IP Port
- Now click the New Port button
- A Printer Port Wizard window will open on your screen. Here you need to click the Next button
- Now enter the IP address of your printer. In case you are not aware of the printer’s IP address, you should check the printer’s manual. Alternatively, you can visit the official site of your printer’s manufacturer and check for this information there. You are likely to be able to locate the instruction or manual set of the printer model you are using from the manufacturer official site. The printer’s IP address will be listed in it. You’ll have to look for the printer’s IP address yourself as it differs from one printer to another
- Enter Port Name. If you feed in the IP address of the printer, the system will on its own fill the name of the Port
- Click the Next button
- The wizard will ask you for additional information. Here select the Custom option (towards the bottom left hand side) and then click the Settings button
- Under the Protocol heading, select Raw
- Now deselect SNMP Status Enabled
- Click the OK button
- Now click Next and then finally click the Finish button
Now the problem should be resolved. Once you’ve completed the steps listed above, check if the printer is running fine or not. In case the problem still persists after completing the steps listed in this solution, you should reboot Windows and then check if the issue is fixed or not.
Solution 7 – Check Whether You Are Using VPN
Some users who were using network printer as well as VPN received this error message. If you, too, use VPN and network printer, you should disconnect VPN and then see if you are able to access the printer. In case you want VPN and the network printer, you should directly connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable.
Another way is to adjust the configuration of the VPN and then give yourself local network access.
These solutions have worked for many users. We sincerely hope that one of them will help you fix the”printer offline” problem.
