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Hardware

Fix Printer Showing Offline on Windows 11

A printer may appear offline even when it is powered on and connected. Check its connection, clear blocked print jobs, restart the print service, and verify printing.

by@guidox updated:10/30/26 time:10 min level:Beginner works on:Windows 10, Windows 11
TL;DR

Confirm that your printer is powered on and connected, run the Windows printer troubleshooter, and clear stuck print jobs. Restart Print Spooler if the printer remains offline.

Before you start

Requirements

  • A USB or network printer already configured in Windows.
  • Access to the printer and its connection settings.
  • Permission to manage printer queues and Windows services.
Step by step

Instructions

01

Check the printer connection

Confirm that the printer is powered on and has no visible paper, ink, or hardware errors. For a USB printer, check the cable connection; for a wireless printer, confirm it is connected to the same network as your PC. Connection failures can cause Windows to report the printer as offline.

02

Run the printer troubleshooter

Open the Start menu, search for **Get Help**, and launch the application. Search for printer troubleshooting and follow the automated diagnostic instructions. Windows may identify connectivity, configuration, or print-service problems.

03

Restart the printer

Turn off the printer using its power button and disconnect its power cable. Wait approximately 30 seconds before reconnecting power and turning it back on. Check whether Windows recognizes the device after it finishes starting.

04

Check the printer in Windows Settings

Open **Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners** and select the affected printer. Review its displayed status and open its print queue. Confirm that you are managing the intended printer rather than an outdated or duplicate installation.

05

Clear stuck print jobs

In the printer's queue, review pending or failed documents. Select unwanted or stuck print jobs and choose **Cancel** to remove them. Clearing the queue prevents those jobs from interfering with a fresh test.

06

Restart Print Spooler

Open the Start menu, search for **Services**, and launch the desktop application. Find **Print Spooler**, right-click it, and select **Restart**. This restarts the Windows service responsible for managing print jobs.

07

Verify the printer connection

Return to **Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners** and select the printer. Open **Printer properties** and select **Print Test Page** if available. Confirm that the page prints successfully and the device no longer reports an offline condition.

⚠ warningCanceling jobs removes them from the print queue. Save important documents before clearing pending print operations.
Troubleshooting

Common issues

The printer remains offline after restarting Print Spooler.

Check the printer's network connection and confirm both devices can communicate. Remove and reinstall the printer through Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners if necessary.

Print jobs disappear but nothing prints.

Verify that Windows is sending jobs to the correct printer. Inspect the printer's display for paper, toner, or hardware errors.

Print Spooler stops again immediately.

Restart Windows and inspect recently installed printer drivers. Install a compatible driver from the printer manufacturer's official support page if needed.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Can a printer appear offline while connected to Wi-Fi?

Yes. Network changes, communication failures, or printer configuration problems can cause Windows to display an offline status.

Does restarting Print Spooler delete my documents?

It does not delete your original documents, although pending print operations may need to be submitted again.

Where is the official documentation?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/printer/troubleshooting-offline-printer-problems-in-windows

How to undo this

No permanent system changes are required for normal troubleshooting. If you removed a printer, add it again through Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device. Canceled print jobs must be submitted again manually.

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