Locally connected Printer shows as offline on Windows 7 network after initially working

Anonymous
2010-02-06T13:46:55+00:00

Ok, have checked similar threads wihich got no successful answers.

I have a PC with Epson printer connect directly via USB. Print driver installed correctly.  Works fine. 

Windows 7 Ultimate (32 bit) no security other than windows firewall and microsoft security essentials.

Laptop connected wirelessly to PC.  On same network and homegroup, file and media sharing all working fine.

Laptop running Windows 7 Ultimate (32 bit) same security as PC.

When I add a network printer it finds printer on PC and correctly installs driver etc.  Printer appears in devices and will print the first couple of times.

However, by the next day the network printer shows up as "offline" in the print spooler on the laptop.  Documents simply stack up.

The PC does not go to sleep and is left on all of the time except for the monitor which is switched off.  Printer works fine on PC, indeed with docs stuck on the laptop I can still print directly from the PC - even this does not show the printer as online on the laptop.

Have checked that the printer spooler on laptop is running and set to automatic.

Epson unable/unwilling to help - have found a similar thread with no answer - anybody any guesses as to what to try?

Many thanks

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-05-03T09:50:43+00:00

I had a similar problem and for me  the Problem is with the EPSON driver.  

My printer was connected wirelessly to my network, I had IP address and could ping it but WIN 7 showed it as OFFLINE.

I then went and had a look at the printer driver, (start, Devices and printer, selected the epson printer then under printer management, customise printer, ports then configure port)

And noticed that for Standard TCP/IP Port it was pointing to a different IP than that what my printer currently had. I edited it to match what the printer was and it came ONLINE.

When you turn your printer off, its IP address goes back in your routers pool to be reassigned.

The Epson windows driver still has the old IP. You turn your printer on and your router happens to give it a different IP from last time. It now doesn't match with what the Epson driver stored before and tells you it is OFFLINE.

For me,  rather than changing the IP in the driver each time this happend I assigned a static IP (fixed host ) address in my router to match my printers MAC address. This way it always gives my printer the same address everytime and no more fake OFFLINE messages appear in Windows.

This is an Epson driver problem, not a windows problem.

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-05-28T07:49:43+00:00

Set the IP address of the printer to a static address as stated earlier in this thread.  If you add the printer again by browsing the network, the Standard TCP/IP port will only work as long ast the printer retains the same IP.  If the print device support DNS or WNS name registration you can add a Standard TCP/IP Port using the hostname rather than a transient IP address for DHCP enabled print devices. 

Alan Morris Windows Printing Team; Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here: http://support.microsoft.com/search/Default.aspx?adv=1

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

88 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-06-01T00:02:57+00:00

    I've posted my problem elsewhere on this site, but have just realized that what I've experienced is similar - if not identical - to the problems others have described in this thread. Briefly, I have two printers connected to a printer server with a fixed IP address on our home network. Both printers have worked for years - and continue to work - with three printers running XP Pro. Having bought a new computer that runs Windows 7, I downloaded and installed new drivers for the two printers (an HP LaserJet 1220 and a Canon S820) in the new computer. Connected directly, they worked fine, so I have no reason to think there's a driver problem.

    Next, I connected the new computer to the network and installed the two printers, which were reattached to the server (a Troy 100d). The new (Windows 7) computer printed to each of the printers over the network after the initial installations.

    BUT, when the Windows 7 computer was/is rebooted, the printers' status is changed to "offline." 

    I've found a manual fix for one, but it must be done after every boot!

    This is, so far as I can tell, NOT a printer driver problem.

    It's a Windows 7 problem, IMHO.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-02-07T13:07:26+00:00

    Hi Rolandsizzers,     

    First I would suggest you to run the troubleshooter and check if this helps.

    For more information visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-the-Printer-troubleshooter

    You may also try installing the latest drivers for it from the manufacturer’s website and check if this helps.

    http://www.epson.com.sg/epson/drivers/driver\_download.htm

    You may also try the below methods one by one and check if this helps.

    Method 1: If you are using a computer connected to a "workgroup", click the arrow button next to Password protected sharing to expand this section. 

    Check to see if password-protected sharing is turned on or off.

    If password protected sharing is turned on, only people with a user account and password for this computer will be able to access your printer. Turn this off if you want anyone on the network to be able to access the printer you are sharing unless you give then a user account and password.

    Set your printer as the default printer and see if it resets it to online status.

    Method 2: To select a default printer

    1.  Open Devices and Printers by clicking the Start button.

    2.  Right-click the printer you want to use, and then click Set as default printer. (You'll see a check mark on the printer's icon signifying that it's now your default printer.)

    For more information visit the following link:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-your-default-printer

    Method 3: If the above method does not help, check for the following setting:

    1.  Open the Start menu and click on “Devices and Printers”. This will open a window with a list of the printers currently set up on your computer. Now click on the printer that you have under the "Printers and Faxes" icon.

    2.  Double-click on the icon of the printer you want to change to online. A pop-up window detailing all current print jobs will open.

    3.  Go to "Printer" in the menu bar of the pop-up window and uncheck "Use Printer Offline". This action will change the printer from offline to online.

    Troubleshoot file and printer sharing

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Troubleshoot-file-and-printer-sharing

    Troubleshoot network printer problems

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Troubleshoot-network-printer-problems

    Hope this information is helpful.

    Umesh P - Microsoft Support

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-25T16:48:37+00:00

    any luck roland?....i have the same problem......

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments