When preparing to print important documents at home or at the office, there is nothing more annoying than receiving a notification about a printer being offline.
Printing out a few documents should be a quick and easy task. But if your office isn’t equipped with state-of-the-art multifunction printers, you’re bound to deal with device errors every now and then. Not knowing how to fix the issue of your printer being offline is an inconvenience that can seriously impede your workflow.
Here are seven answers to help you troubleshoot your way through this common printer concern.
COMMON CAUSES WHY YOUR PRINTER IS OFFLINE
The future is now, but even with modern advancements in technology, computer and printer issues like an offline device are still one of the most common problems for people in the office and at home.
After internally cursing the little glitches in modern technology, it’s time to troubleshoot in order to get your printer working seamlessly again.
- Connection Issues
The first thing you need to do is check your internet connection. Inspect your cable network or Wi-Fi connection by checking the router and USB cables. Unplug and plug back in as needed, because a quick restart or refresh might just do the trick!
If the problem persists, try moving your cables to alternative ports.
- Printer Status Under Device and Printers Menu
If your internet connection and all your cables are working properly, but your printer is still offline, you should check the printer status.
If you’re using Windows, you can check the printer offline/online status under “Devices and Printers” in your computer’s start menu. Seeing your printer listed here means it’s working fine. Once you spot it, click the printer that you are trying to use and make sure that the “Use Printer Offline” box is unchecked. If it isn’t, you know what to do! This feature should put your printer back online.
You could also try setting the printer you need to use as the “Default Printer.”
- Installation Error
If this is your first time using a new printer and it doesn’t appear in the “Devices and Printers” menu, then an installation error may be the culprit.
Reinstalling it should be able to fix the problem. Most printers just need to be plugged into the computer via a USB port. But if you have a wireless printer, you should select “Add a Device” in the settings.
- Driver Software
Another reason that your printer appears to be offline is a potential problem with the driver software. This software is a code that Windows and the printer use to communicate with each other. If the driver software happens to be outdated, incompatible, or corrupted, you may need to update it.
You can find the driver update online or contact the manufacturer for further information. They usually offer a copy available for download. Also, if your printer came with a disc upon purchase, you will most likely find the driver update information there.
- Full Print Queue
Sometimes, the problem isn’t as severe as it seems. If your print queue is full of things you don’t need to print right now, all you have to do is clear the queue, and it’s good to go!
Just click “cancel all documents,” and your device will restart. It might have just been overwhelmed by all those pending print jobs.
- In Need of a Power Cycle
Just like many other types of electronic devices, your printer could be in need of a power cycle. Turning your printer off and on again often fixes the problem at hand. Turn off the printer, unplug it, wait at least 30 seconds, and plug it back in. If it still indicates “printer offline,” continue troubleshooting.
- Hardware Problem
In the event that none of the above-mentioned troubleshooting tips helped bring your printer back online, chances are that you’re dealing with some sort of a hardware problem. If this is the case, you could test it first to be sure.
Once confirmed, it is highly recommended to reach out to the manufacturer for further advice. They will usually refer you to their service centre to repair your printer, and you’ll have it up and running in no time.
MY PRINTER IS OFFLINE: HOW TO GET ONLINE AGAIN
In this day and age, a popular Google search is “my printer is offline.” It’s about time that we beat the system by learning how to prevent these issues.
Technology isn’t perfect, and that’s most likely why you’re reading this troubleshooting guide. However, there is a hierarchy in technology, which means that some are built better than others. This is reflected in their features, build, and durability.
If you’re done with printer issues getting in the way of your productivity, it’s time to invest in a high-quality multifunction printer that won’t ever let you down. A printer offline won’t do you any good, so we’ve got you covered!
Give us a call today to find the best printer for your needs!