How to Get Printer Online on Windows 10 (Offline to Online)
While using a printer, you may encounter various errors, and one common issue is the Printer Offline error, especially when printing documents remotely. When this error occurs, your printer will not respond to print requests, and a message stating ‘Printer offline’ will be displayed on your screen.
To resume remote printing and bring your printer back online, we have compiled some effective methods that you can utilize. These methods will help you resolve the Printer Offline error and restore normal printing functionality.
Contents
How to Get Printer Online on Windows PC?
Method 1: Check Network Connectivity.
Before we proceed with the technical methods, it’s important to perform some basic checks to ensure a stable network connection for your printer to remain online.
- Connect your Printer to the internet: Use an Ethernet cable to connect your printer to your network. Additionally, ensure that your internet connection is active and functioning properly.
- Connect your PC and your Printer to the same network: If you have a wireless printer, ensure that both your PC and printer are connected to the same WiFi network. If they are connected to different networks, your PC won’t be able to communicate with the printer.
Method 2: Run a Printer Power Cycle.
It has been observed that performing a Power Cycle on a printer can help bring it back online. Follow the steps below to run a Printer Power Cycle:
Step 1: Turn off your printer and unplug it from the power source. Step 2: Wait for 30 seconds before plugging it back into the power socket. Step 3: Turn on your printer.
After turning on your printer, check if it is back online. If it is still not online, proceed to the next method.
Method 3: Clear the Print Queue.
If you are experiencing the Printer Offline error on your PC, it could be due to a buildup of corrupt print requests in the Print Queue. Follow the steps below to clear the print queue:
Step 1: Open the ‘Control Panel’ on your Windows PC. Step 2: Search for the ‘Devices and Printers’ option and click on it. Step 3: In the ‘Devices and Printers’ window, right-click on the printer for which you want to clear the queue and select ‘See what’s printing’ from the drop-down menu. Step 4: A list of print requests in the queue will be displayed. Right-click on each print request and select ‘Cancel’ from the drop-down menu. Additionally, ensure that the checkbox for ‘Use Printer Offline’ is unchecked in this window. Then, check if your printer comes back online.
Method 4: Restart Print Spooler.
To restart the Print Spooler service on your Windows PC and potentially resolve the Printer Offline error, follow these steps:
Step 1: Press the Windows key and the R key simultaneously on your keyboard to launch the ‘Run’ dialog box.
Step 2: Type ‘services.msc’ into the text box and press Enter.
Step 3: A list of services on your Windows PC will be displayed. Locate ‘Print Spooler’ from the list and right-click on it.
Step 4: From the drop-down menu, select ‘Restart’. Wait for the service to restart.
Check if your printer comes back online after restarting the Print Spooler service. If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting method.
Method 5: Remove and Reinstall your Printer.
To remove and reinstall your offline printer on a Windows PC, follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch the ‘Control Panel’ on your Windows PC.
Step 2: Search for the ‘Devices and Printers’ option and click on it.
Step 3: In the ‘Devices and Printers’ window, right-click on the printer that is offline. From the drop-down box, select the ‘Remove Device’ option.
Step 4: Next, click on the ‘Add a printer or scanner’ option within the same window to start the reinstallation process for your printer.
After reinstalling the printer, check if it is now back online. If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting method.
Method 6: Restart your PC.
If none of the previously mentioned methods have resolved the issue and your printer remains offline, you can try restarting your PC. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Save any unsaved work and close all programs on your PC.
Step 2: Click on the “Start” button in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
Step 3: Select the “Restart” option from the power menu.
Step 4: Wait for your PC to restart and fully boot up.
Once your PC has restarted, check if your printer is now back online.
How to Change Printer from Offline to Online
Step 1: Open the “Settings” menu and navigate to “Devices: Printers, Bluetooth, etc.”
Step 2: Click on “Printers and Scanners.”
Step 3: Locate the printer that is showing as offline and click on the “Printer Offline” option. This will open the Printer menu.
Step 4: In the menu bar, click on “Printer” and uncheck the “Offline” option.
Conclusion:
These methods outlined above are highly effective in making your printer online on Windows 10 and MacOS. The steps provided are straightforward and easy to follow.
We are confident that one of the methods mentioned above will assist you in turning your printer online. Begin with the first method and proceed down the list until the error is resolved on your PC. If there are any other useful methods we may have overlooked to bring your printer online, please share them with us in the comments section below.