Troubleshooting offline printer problems in Windows

Gjelder for
Windows 11 Windows 10

Note

  • Problems adding or installing printers on ARM PCs

  • Microsoft is aware of some ARM PCs not being able to add or install a printer when using an installer provided by the printer manufacturer. The installer might be included with the printer or downloaded from the printer manufacturer's website.

  • To fix this issue, follow the instructions in the article Add or install a printer in Windows instead of using the manufacturer's installer. If the printer manufacturer has different guidance, follow the guidance from the printer manufacturer.

  • An example ARM PC is Copilot+ PCs. To check if a Windows device is an ARM PC, select Start WindowsLogo and then select Settings Settings > System System > About  Info . Under Device specifications, ARM devices have ARM based processor listed next to System type.

If the printer appears as Offline even though it is powered on and connected, follow the below troubleshooting steps to resolve.

Run the Windows printer troubleshooter

If you are using a Windows 11 device, start by running the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It will automatically run diagnostics and attempt to fix most printer problems. If you are using an older version of Windows or a mobile device, please skip to General troubleshooting section.

Run the troubleshooter in Get Help

If the printer troubleshooter in Get Help app is unable to resolve your printer issue, follow the steps mentioned in the below General troubleshooting section.

General troubleshooting

Step 1. Unplug and restart your printer

Sometimes power-cycling your printer can resolve the issue. Turn off your printer and unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug your printer back in, and then turn the printer back on.

Step 2. Make sure printer is connected to same Wi-Fi network as your device:

To find out if your printer is connected to Wi-Fi, see if your printer's built-in menu has options for checking its Wi-Fi connection, or check the printer's manual for instructions about how to add it to a Wi-Fi network.

Step 3. Set your printer as the default printer:

  • Select Start WindowsLogo  > Settings SettingsApp > Bluetooth & devices Bluetooth > Printers & scanners Print .

    Open Printers & scanners settings

  • Select your printer and then select Set as default. 
    If you don't see the Set as default option, the Let Windows manage my default printer option may be selected. You'll need to turn that off before you can choose a default printer manually.

Step 4. Check the printer queue:

  • Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices >Printers & scanners.
  • Select your printer and on the page that opens, select Open print queue.
  • Click on ⁠...⁠ (ellipsis) and select Cancel all if there are any pending jobs.

Step 5. Reset the service that manages the printing queue:

  • Go to Search Search  in the taskbar, type services, and then select Services in the list of results.
  • Scroll down to the Print Spooler service, select and hold (right-click) it, and select Restart.

Step 6. Remove and reinstall your printer to your device:

Try removing and reinstalling your printer.

Remove your printer:

  1. Select Start WindowsLogo  > Settings SettingsApp  > Bluetooth & devices Bluetooth > Printers & scanners Print .

    Open Printers & scanners settings

  2. Select the printer you want to uninstall, select Remove, and then select Yes.

Reinstall your printer:

  1. Select Start WindowsLogo  > Settings SettingsApp  > Bluetooth & devices Bluetooth > Printers & scanners Print .

    Open Printers & scanners settings

  2. Make sure your printer is turned on and connected. Next to Add a printer or scanner, select Add device and follow the instructions to add your printer.

Step 7. Restart your PC

Restarting your PC can sometimes help to refresh the services and components necessary for your device to communicate with your printer.