Published 16 June 2026 · Home Users · by the 365 Techies team — Microsoft Partners & Dell specialists, looking after Dorset since 1995
Most printer disconnections come down to the wireless connection or the way the printer talks to your computer — not a broken printer.
Common causes
A weak Wi-Fi signal, the printer going to sleep, an out-of-date driver, or the computer picking the wrong printer all cause the dreaded offline status. Printers on the far side of the house are especially prone to dropping out.
How to fix it
Move the printer closer to the router or add a Wi-Fi booster, update the printer driver, and set it as the default. For a permanent fix, we can configure reliable wireless printing across all your devices.
// FIX IT WITH ME · STEP BY STEP
Stop it dropping off, one step at a time
The fixes from this guide, cheapest effort first. Tell it what happened and it shows the next step. Nothing here leaves your device.Last reviewed 6 October 2026
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01Move the printer closer to the router, or add a Wi-Fi booster
A weak Wi-Fi signal is the commonest cause, and printers on the far side of the house are especially prone to dropping out. Bring it nearer the router for a day, or add a booster or mesh node near it.
Has it stayed online? -
02Update the printer driver
An out-of-date driver makes Windows lose the printer. Download the current driver or full software package for your exact model from the maker’s site, install it and restart.
Has it stayed online? -
03Set it as the default printer
If the computer keeps picking a different printer, it looks offline when it is not. In Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners, open the printer and choose Set as default.
Open Printers & scanners →Has it stayed online?
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Sorted{mins}. Nice work.
If it drops again after a router change, the Wi-Fi guides linked below cover mesh systems, band steering and fixed addresses.
Still dropping off after all three steps? That is a remote job.
With your permission we connect to your screen, pin the printer’s address and sort the driver in one session. Usually the same day, remote help from £20, and no fix, no fee.
Printer keeps disconnecting - the fix order (365techies.co.uk/why-does-my-printer-keep-disconnecting/) 1. Move the printer closer to the router, or add a Wi-Fi booster: A weak Wi-Fi signal is the commonest cause, and printers on the far side of the house are especially prone to dropping out. Bring it nearer the router for a day, or add a booster or mesh node near it. 2. Update the printer driver: An out-of-date driver makes Windows lose the printer. Download the current driver or full software package for your exact model from the maker’s site, install it and restart. 3. Set it as the default printer: If the computer keeps picking a different printer, it looks offline when it is not. In Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners, open the printer and choose Set as default. Open Printers & scanners → Stuck? 365 Techies help remotely: 01202 775566 - https://365techies.co.uk/remote-support/Key points
- Weak Wi-Fi is a common cause
- Keep printer drivers up to date
- Set the correct default printer
- We can set up reliable wireless printing
Prefer to let us handle it? Our monthly IT support plans include this and much more, from £18.25/month per computer — with a friendly techie on hand whenever you need one. Call 01202 775566 or view our plans.