What to check when your printer says offline

Start at the printer

• Confirm that the printer is on and does not show an error.
• Check for paper, an open cover, or a jam.
• If it uses Wi-Fi, confirm that it still shows a network connection.
• Turn it off, unplug it for 30 seconds, then reconnect and restart it.

Make sure both devices are on the same network

A printer may reconnect to a guest network, an old network name, or the wrong Wi-Fi band after a router change. The computer and printer generally need to be on the same home network before they can see each other.

If the printer has a small screen, look for Network, Wi-Fi, or Wireless settings. If it has no screen, the manufacturer’s app or printed network report may show the current connection.

Check which printer Windows selected

1. Open Start, Settings, Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners.
2. Select the printer you intended to use.
3. Open the print queue and cancel jobs that are clearly stuck or duplicated.
4. Confirm that Pause printing or Use printer offline is not selected.

If it still will not reconnect

Run the printer troubleshooter in the Windows Get Help app. Removing and reinstalling the printer can help, but save that step until after checking power, Wi-Fi, the selected printer, and the queue. Reinstalling too early can create another duplicate without fixing the original cause.