How do I change my printer status to online? It is currently offline and will not allow me to print.

Anonymous
2010-03-25T14:58:35+00:00

I cancelled some print requests and it put my printer to status offline and I cannot figure out how to get it back to online!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2010-03-26T03:05:11+00:00

Hi Steve7878,

You may also try these:

1.       Open the Start menu and click on the "Printers and Faxes" icon. This will open a window with a list of the printers currently set up on your computer.

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.

Also change the default printer by following the steps in “Change your default printer” http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Change-your-default-printer

Diana DMicrosoft Answers Support Engineer

If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-03-25T22:50:36+00:00

    Hi steve7878,

    1. make sure all cables are plugged in
    2. turn off your printer, then turn it on again
    3. do the same with your PC
    4. if that doesn't work, reinstall your printer

    If any of the above steps work, don't bother doing the next one.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-16T04:58:53+00:00

    Hi Steve7878,

    You may also try these:

    1.       Open the Start menu and click on the "Printers and Faxes" icon. This will open a window with a list of the printers currently set up on your computer.

    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.

    Also change the default printer by following the steps in “Change your default printer” http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Change-your-default-printer

    Diana DMicrosoft Answers Support Engineer

    If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

    Oh my god!! After 2 hrs of frustration, by following these steps (which were so easy by the way) I finally got my printer to print!! Thank you!

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-01-16T09:27:05+00:00

    Hi,

    Glad to know that it helped you.

    Have a great day!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-13T16:48:05+00:00

    Well I have an Officejet6000 HP and it worked perfect for some time now and all of a sudden it is offline on my Dell XPS and also on my wife's laptop.  I've rebooted both my PC and her laptop reset the router and turned off the printer and powered up again. Still offline

    BTW it is NOT checked "work offline"

    any other ideas.

    thanks

    LouA

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