Let’s say you’re in the office and you want to print something, but your printer isn’t responding when you try to print. You click on your wireless icon on your laptop and see that your printer is offline. Don’t worry you have plenty of options if this happens to you! Here’s the step-by-step guide to changing your printer from offline to online and printing whatever document it is that you need printed immediately!
Things you will need
A computer connected to your printer via an Ethernet cable. If your computer does not have an Ethernet port, use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter or bridge, or a wireless USB device such as Apple’s AirPort Express. A network connection: One end of an Ethernet cable that connects from your modem or router (wired or wireless) on one side, and from your printer on the other side. If you don’t have Internet access, you’ll need a router/modem combo (such as MiFi) for Internet access for your printer and then hook up another router for all other devices in your home or office, unless they are in wireless range of one another.
Tips before you begin
Be sure that your printer is connected to an outlet, and all power cords are in working order. Then, unplug your printer from its USB cord or network jack. If you’re using a USB cable, disconnect it; if you’re using a network connection, unplug its Ethernet cable from your computer and wall outlet. Open up your Control Panel on Windows 10, or go to System Preferences on Mac OS X. Now navigate through Network & Internet > Printers & Scanners > (your printer) > Remove Device. This will cause your printer to reinstall itself as a new device on your computer.
Shut down your computer and printer
Shut down your computer and wait a few seconds before turning it back on. This ensures that Windows won’t try to automatically install updates while you’re working with your printer. Be sure that all other applications are closed as well. If possible, disconnect your printer from its power source as well so that you don’t accidentally send any last-minute instructions to it. You can leave your printer’s Wi-Fi turned on or off during these steps it doesn’t matter either way. The only thing we want to avoid is connecting to an unsecured network or updating software when we’re trying to connect our device for remote printing. For more information about how Wi-Fi works, check out How Wi-Fi Works: What Every Computer User Needs To Know.
What if I’m using a Mac? Macs have their own unique method of connecting printers over a network.
Connect your computer to the printer wirelessly
Many printers now connect directly to Wi-Fi, making it easier than ever for consumers and businesses alike. However, you will need a wireless router on your network for wireless printing. If your printer doesn’t support Wi-Fi, you can connect it with an Ethernet cable or print through a USB cable if both devices are connected by USB. Then follow these steps
Reconnect your printer to your computer
Open up Control Panel, click on Hardware and Sound, then Printers. Right click on your printer and select Connect from the menu that appears. Click Next. The next screen will display a wizard that can help you reconnect to your printer. Choose I plugged in a new hardware device, then click Next. The next screen should say: Windows is looking for Plug and Play devices on your computer. Select Use an existing port and choose your printer from that list. Then click Next. The following screen will say: Windows has successfully installed your device. You should now be able to print again!
Turn on your printer after connecting it wirelessly
If you’re having trouble printing, try turning on your printer. Most printers will go offline if they haven’t been used for some time. If you have a multifunctional printer, try using a different function such as scanning or copying to verify that your printer is online. If other functions work but you can’t print, check that any pages in your input tray aren’t jammed with paper.
Conclusion
The most common reason printers get stuck in an offline state is a disconnected network cable. Make sure that all of your cables are connected and that they aren’t damaged. If they are connected, then try restarting your computer and printer. Finally, if none of those steps work you can use a CD with drivers or install them directly through Windows Update. Instructions for both methods can be found at How to Geek. Once you have followed these instructions, your printer should go from offline to online without any problems.
