Restart the printer and router, make sure the printer and PC are on the same Wi-Fi, open the print queue and untick Use Printer Offline, clear stuck jobs, and restart the Print Spooler service. If the printer's IP changed, remove and re-add it.

The short explanation

“Offline” means Windows sent a status check and got no answer. For Wi-Fi printers the most common reason is a changed IP address: the router gave the printer a new one, but Windows still points to the old port. Sleep modes on printers and mesh Wi-Fi band steering also cause it.

USB printers show offline when the cable, port or driver has a problem, or when Use Printer Offline was switched on.

How it shows up

  • Printer shows “Offline” in Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
  • Print jobs sit in the queue and never print.
  • Printer works from a phone but not from the PC.

What causes it

  • Printer disconnected from Wi-Fi or on a different network/band.
  • Printer IP address changed (port points to the old IP).
  • “Use Printer Offline” enabled or stuck print jobs.
  • Print Spooler service hung or outdated driver.

How to fix it, step by step

  1. Restart everythingTurn the printer off and on, restart the router, then restart the PC.
  2. Check the printer's networkPrint a network configuration page from the printer menu. Confirm it's on the same Wi-Fi as the PC and note its IP address.
  3. Turn off offline mode and clear the queueOpen Cancel stuck jobs in Printers & scanners → your printer → Open print queue. To check offline mode, run control printers, right-click the printer → See what's printing → Printer menu → untick Use Printer Offline.
  4. Restart the Print SpoolerRun the commands below in an admin Command Prompt.
  5. Fix the port or re-add the printerIn Printer properties → Ports, make sure the port uses the current IP. Or remove the printer and add it again with Add device.
  6. Stop it recurringIn the router, give the printer a DHCP reservation (fixed IP), and install the latest driver/app from the printer maker.

Command

net stop spooler
del /Q /F %systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*
net start spooler

Elevated Command Prompt. This deletes stuck print jobs only, not printers or drivers.

How to confirm the fix: The printer shows “Ready” or “Idle” and a test page prints.

Keeping it from coming back

Reserve the printer's IP in the router and disable deep sleep or 'eco' Wi-Fi modes if the printer offers them.