Fix a printer that shows offline
Bring Windows or macOS back online when the queue is stuck.
- Confirm the printer is powered, not in deep sleep, and showing a ready light — not an error diamond.
- Windows: Settings → Printers & scanners → your printer → Open print queue. Open Printer menu and uncheck Use Printer Offline. Cancel stuck jobs.
- macOS: Printers & Scanners → the printer → Resume if paused. Delete paused jobs.
- If it is wireless, print a network page and ping the IP, or reconnect Wi‑Fi from the printer menu.
- Restart the Print Spooler on Windows (Services → Print Spooler → Restart) or toggle the printer off for 30 seconds.
- Remove and re-add the printer if it still shows offline. Prefer the current network/USB instance, not an old copy.
Technician notes
- Two listings of the same printer (USB + Wi‑Fi) often send jobs to the dead one.
- Still stuck after these steps? Send a support request with the model and OS.