If your printer is offline, there are a few basic steps that you can take to troubleshoot and try to get it back online.
Check Printer Connections
The first thing to do when your printer is offline is to check the physical connections between your computer, router and printer. If the printer is connected to your computer via USB cable, make sure it is securely inserted into both the computer and printer. If your printer is connected to your network via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or another wireless connection, check to ensure that the connection has not been lost. Look for any signs of damage to the cables, and ensure that all connections are secure.
Check Printer Status
Once you have made sure that all the connections between your printer and other devices are secure, you should check the status of the printer itself. Check to see if the power indicator light is on, and if there are any other indicators that may indicate a problem. If the printer is on, but the indicator light is not lit, or is flashing, this may be an indication of a problem with the print head or other parts of the printer.
Check Printer Software
When a printer stops working, the problem can sometimes be traced back to the software installed on your computer. Check the software associated with your printer to see if the driver and supporting programs have become corrupted or out of date. Make sure that they are up to date and compatible with your computer’s operating system. If the issue persists, consider reinstalling the printer and its software from scratch.
Check Printer Settings
Sometimes, the cause for a printer being offline can be traced back to an incorrect setting. Check that the settings for the printer match the settings for the computer and the network. Also make sure that the default printer is set to the correct printer. This can usually be done in the printer settings on your computer, or in the printer’s control panel.
Restart Your Printer
If all the above steps fail, then the most likely solution to getting your printer back online is to simply restart it. Turn the printer off and unplug it from the wall, wait a few minutes, and then plug it back in and turn it back on. Once the printer has gone through its startup cycle, try printing again.
Verify that Printer is Online
Finally, if your printer appears to be working, you should still verify that it is indeed back online. To do so, try printing a document, or using the printer’s control panel to check its status. If the test page prints successfully or the status reads “online” then you have successfully brought your printer back online and can move on to your next task.
Troubleshooting printers can often be a time-consuming undertaking, but if you follow the steps outlined above, you should be able to get your printer back online in no time. From checking all of your connections, to verifying that the printer status is set correctly, these simple steps can help ensure that your printer will remain online for future use.