For a lot of people in this world, printing is like a daily task, so it can be frustrating when the printer suddenly stops working. You’re not alone if you’re running Windows 10 and experiencing the “Printer Offline” issue. In this blog, you’ll go through the steps to diagnose and resolve the printer offline problem in Windows 10 and let you resume printing without difficulty.
Check Hardware Connections
Make sure your printer is correctly linked to your computer and the power source before looking at software options.
Take these actions:
● Verify each cable connection between your computer and the printer. Ensure that they are safe and undamaged.
● Ensure that the printer is turned on and has enough paper and ink or toner.
● Restart the printer to ensure it’s properly initialized.
Restart Printer Spooler Service
The Printer Spooler service manages print jobs in Windows. If it’s not functioning correctly, it can lead to the printer going offline. Here’s how to restart it:
● To launch the Run dialogue box, press Win + R.
● Enter services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
● In the list of services scroll down and find “Print Spooler”.
● Right-click on “Print Spooler” and select “Restart.”
Use Windows Troubleshooter
Built-in troubleshooters in Windows 10 can find and address common problems. Here’s how to utilize the printer troubleshooter is as follows:
● Press Win + I to access the “Settings” menu.
● After clicking “Update & Security,” choose “Troubleshoot” from the left menu.
● Under the “Find and fix other problems” option click on the “Printer” and then “Run the troubleshooter.”
● To find and fix the problem, adhere to the directions displayed on the screen.
Set the Printer Online
Sometimes, the solution can be as simple as changing the printer’s status from offline to online:
● Press Win + I to open Settings.
● Click on “Devices,” then select “Printers & scanners” from the left menu.
● Right-click on your printer in the list to select “See what’s printing.”
● If “Use Printer Offline” is checked, click the “Printer” menu in the top-left corner and uncheck it.
Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can lead to communication issues between your printer and computer. You can update or reinstall the drivers as follows:
● Press Win + X and select “Device Manager.”
● Expand the “Print queues” section, right-click on your printer, and choose “Update driver.”
● If your driver is not working correctly then you might need to uninstall it and then reinstall after a while. To uninstall the driver go to the Device Manager, right-click the printer and choose “Uninstall device.” Then, to get the most recent driver for your printer model, go to the printer manufacturer’s website.
Check Network Connection
If your printer is connected via a network, ensure that it’s properly connected and accessible from your computer:
● Check to see if your printer is on the same wireless network as your computer.
● To re-establish the network connection, restart your router.
● Make sure the printer configured properly by checking the IP address.
Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall
Sometimes, third-party antivirus or firewall software can interfere with printer communication. Temporarily disable these programs to see if they are causing the offline issue. Don’t forget to enable them again after troubleshooting.
Reset Print Spooler Files
If the print spooler files are corrupted, it can cause the printer to go offline. Resetting these files might help:
● Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
● Stop the “Print Spooler” service.
● Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files in this folder.
● Start the “Print Spooler” service again.
Check for Windows Updates
Sometimes, Windows updates include fixes for known printer issues. Keeping your system updated might resolve the offline problem:
● Go to “Settings” by pressing Win + I.
● Click on “Windows Update” in the left menu after selecting “Update & Security”.
● Install any available updates by clicking “Check for updates”.
Conclusion
It might be frustrating to deal with a printer that is continually offline, but fortunately, there are multiple steps you can take to find out the problem and fix it. You can improve your chances of getting your printer back online and functioning properly on your Windows 10 system by checking hardware connections, restarting the printer spooler service, using Windows troubleshooter, setting the printer online, updating or reinstalling printer drivers, checking network connections, momentarily disabling antivirus/firewall, resetting print spooler files, and keeping your system updated. Always keep in mind that every circumstance may be different, so don’t be afraid to attempt a few different ideas before settling on one.
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