
If your printer is showing an offline message, it means it’s having a hard time communicating with your computer. There can be a number of reasons for this, from connectivity issues to a fault with your printer. Whatever the reason, there are several checks you can do to determine which issue you’re facing.
1)Why do printers go offline?
Printers can appear to be offline if they can’t communicate with your PC. Occasionally when printing, the device or computer thinks the printer is offline even when it is ready to start printing. This can be caused by an error between the device and the printer.
This can be as simple as a disconnected cable, or an error occurring due to a paper jam. However, it can also indicate a problem with your driver or software. Old age or a lack of updates can cause this, and if this is the reason your printer is offline, you will have to troubleshoot it.
2) How to get your printer back online
a) Check your connection
The first port of call is to double check your printer’s connection with your computer. You should look at the network cable connecting your printer to your router, and check the USB cable connecting your printer to your PC or laptop. If all of these connections look to be working, try moving your cables to alternative ports.
If you have a wireless printer, checking the connection can be slightly trickier. For example, on a wireless model such as the Xerox Versalink C400DN, you should enter the ‘set-up’ mode on your printer. Select the ‘network settings’ function and press ‘confirm network settings’. This will show you the current status of your network setting. You can then print a status sheet to give you a detailed breakdown of your connection, by simply pressing ‘.
b) Trying restarting your printer
If your connection is working but your printer is offline, you can try restarting your machine. This can reboot your model and can sometimes help your printer to pick up the connection.
c) Clear the print jobs
Still asking yourself why is my printer offline? Well, one document could have caused your printer to go offline. To combat this, try clearing all your print jobs by pressing ‘cancel all documents’. This will clear the printing queue and allow you to restart your model.
d) Remove and reinstall your printer
Another way you can fix an offline printer is to remove the printer from your PC or laptop and reinstall it. To remove your printer, simply open the ‘devices and printers’ in your computer’s control panel. Right click the model you’d like to remove and select ‘remove’.
You now need to reinstall your printer to your computer. This usually involves simply connecting your printer to your computer with a USB and turn it on. However, if you’re reinstalling a wireless printer, you should first make sure your printer is turned on. Open up your computer settings, click ‘change PC settings, open ‘PC and devices then select ‘devices’.
Click ‘add a device’ and then simply select your printer model to install it.
Following these steps should allow you to fix any offline printer. If you have any other issues with offline printing, either get in touch with the manufacturer of your printer or speak to one of our in-house experts.

