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// PRINTER SAYS OFFLINE?

Printer offline? Get it printing again

The printer is switched on, but Windows says it’s offline and nothing prints. Usually it has lost touch with the PC over Wi-Fi, a setting has switched it to offline, or a stuck document is blocking the queue. Here’s how to get it printing again, quickest fixes first. Rated 4.9 on Google.

Call 01202 775566 Start with the quick fixes
  • ● Quickest fixes first
  • ● Windows 11 and 10
  • ● Any make of printer

By the 365 Techies team · Reviewed 13 October 2026

/01 — QUICK FIXES

Try these first

  1. Switch the printer off and on again, wait until it’s fully ready, then try printing.
  2. Restart the computer. Use Restart, not Shut down, so Windows starts afresh.
  3. Run Windows’ printer troubleshooter: Settings, System, Troubleshoot, Other troubleshooters, Printer. It checks the usual causes and fixes many by itself.
  4. Check the cable or Wi-Fi: a USB printer needs its cable firmly in at both ends; a Wi-Fi printer usually shows a Wi-Fi light or a symbol on its screen when it’s connected.

// FIX IT WITH ME · STEP BY STEP

Get it back online, step by step

The steps from this guide, one at a time, in the order that fixes the most cases fastest. Tell it what happened and it shows the next step. Nothing here leaves your device.Last reviewed 13 October 2026

Checking which Windows you have…STEP 1 OF 6
  1. 01Restart the printer and the PC

    Switch the printer off and on, then restart the computer (Restart, not Shut down).

    Is it printing now?

Rather have it done for you? Remote help from £20, or in person across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Ringwood and the New Forest, with no call-out fee.

At a glance

FirstSwitch the printer off and on, and restart the computer (Restart, not Shut down).
The offline switchIn the print queue’s Printer menu, untick Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing.
Stuck documentsCancel everything in the queue; one stuck job can hold up the rest.
The print serviceRestart the Print Spooler in Services.
Wi-Fi printersCheck the printer is on your Wi-Fi; if the router changed, set the printer up again.
Still offlineRemove the printer in Settings and add it again.

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/02 — WINDOWS’ OFFLINE SETTING

Switch off “Use Printer Offline” and clear the queue

  1. Open Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners, and click your printer.
  2. Choose Open print queue.
  3. In the queue window’s Printer menu, untick Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing if either is ticked.
  4. Cancel any documents waiting (the … menu, then Cancel all). One stuck document can block everything behind it; documents stuck in the print queue has more.
  5. Make it the default printer in the same menu, so Windows doesn’t send your printing to the wrong one.

/03 — THE PRINT SERVICE

Restart Windows’ printing service

Windows prints through a background service called the Print Spooler. If it has stopped or jammed, every printer shows as offline.

  1. Click Start, type services and open Services.
  2. Find Print Spooler in the list, right-click it and choose Restart (or Start if it isn’t running).
  3. Try printing again.

/04 — WI-FI PRINTERS

Wi-Fi printer offline? Check it’s on your network

  • Print the printer’s own network report (usually from its settings menu or a button combination in its manual): it shows the Wi-Fi name it’s connected to. If it’s not your network, or says not connected, run the printer’s wireless set-up again.
  • New router, new broadband or a changed Wi-Fi password? The printer is still looking for the old one: see printer won’t connect after changing broadband and printer stopped after changing the Wi-Fi password.
  • It drops off every few days? The router may be giving it a new address. See why does my printer keep disconnecting.
  • Printer asleep? Some printers go so deeply to sleep that Windows can’t see them. Press a button on the printer to wake it, then try again.

/05 — START AFRESH

Still offline? Remove it and add it again

  1. Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners: click the printer and choose Remove.
  2. Restart the computer.
  3. Back in Printers & scanners, choose Add device and pick the printer when it appears. If it doesn’t, use the printer maker’s own set-up software from their website.
  4. Print a test page from the printer’s settings in Windows.

Printer vanished from the list after a Windows update? See printer disappeared after a Windows update.

/06 — THE QUICK WAY

Let our free app check the printers

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Printers: what’s stuck, and one button to clear it

It lists every printer as Windows sees it, shows any documents stuck in the queue with a button that cancels only those, and tells you if Windows’ printing service has stopped. It only reads, until you press a button.

In the app: My PC, then Printers.

Download 365 PC Manager free ↓What else it checks

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/07 — WHEN TO CALL US

When to call us

Still not right? Ring 01202 775566 or text 07520 615332, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. With your permission we connect to your Windows PC and sort it while you watch: usually the same day, remote help from £20, and no fix, no fee. We can also come out locally, priced before we come, if the printer itself needs setting up again.

// KEEP GOING

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// GOOD QUESTIONS

Frequently asked

Why does my printer say offline when it’s switched on?

Usually Windows has lost touch with it over Wi-Fi, Use Printer Offline has been ticked in the print queue, a stuck document is blocking the queue, or Windows’ Print Spooler service has stopped.

How do I change my printer from offline to online?

Open the print queue (Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners, your printer, Open print queue) and untick Use Printer Offline in the Printer menu. If it still says offline, restart the printer and the PC.

Why does my Wi-Fi printer keep going offline?

Often the router gives it a new address, or it sleeps too deeply. Setting a fixed address for the printer in the router usually stops it. See why does my printer keep disconnecting.

Will reinstalling the printer lose anything?

No. Removing and adding the printer again only resets Windows’ link to it. Your documents are untouched.

Can you fix it remotely?

Usually, yes: with your permission we connect to your Windows PC and get the printer back online while you watch. If the printer itself needs setting up again, we can come out locally, priced before we come.

// Still stuck?

Still offline?

With your permission we connect to your Windows PC, get the printer back online and print a test page while you watch. Call 01202 775566 or text 07520 615332.

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