Printer Shows as Offline
Windows shows the printer as "offline" despite it being powered on and connected to the network, sometimes going offline repeatedly even after being reconnected.
Quick answer: A printer showing offline while switched on is almost always a network or Windows settings issue, not a fault with the printer itself. It commonly happens after the printer's network address changes, which is worth checking first, especially if it keeps happening repeatedly rather than as a one-off.
Likely causes
- The printer's network address (IP) has changed, which is common after a router restart, and Windows is still looking for the old one
- The printer has gone into a sleep or power-saving mode that Windows interprets as offline
- A stuck print job is blocking the queue and Windows shows the printer as unavailable as a result
- "Use Printer Offline" has been accidentally enabled in Windows' printer settings
What you can safely check yourself
- Open Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and check "Use Printer Offline" isn't ticked
- Turn the printer off and back on to refresh its network connection
- Clear any stuck jobs from the print queue
- If it keeps happening repeatedly, setting a static IP address for the printer in your router often fixes it permanently
When it needs a proper look
If it keeps going offline repeatedly despite these checks, setting a static IP for the printer usually resolves it — if you're not comfortable doing that in your router, that's a reasonable point to get help.