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

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-02-19T19:10:35+00:00

    Diana;

    Your solution wont work. When I click on printer and then click on use printer offline, it stays offline. Why doesn't Microsoft have an "use printer online" option.. That used to be an option many moons ago.

    Stan

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-26T02:52:53+00:00

    The only solution I have found is to turn the printer of and on again.  Sometimes that doesn't work so I reboot.  I use the wireless printer with PC Windows 10, PC Windows 8.1, Samsung tablet with android, iPhone 6s, and my wife also uses ipad.

    Same problem occurs on all devices.  Makes me think my problem is with the printer wifi dropping out from time to time and the various devices or the router can't find it again.

    It is bloody annoying.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-02T23:45:53+00:00

    I have the same issue.

    Printer a Brother 3170 on our home network.

    Printer is not checked to be used 'offline'.

    'Offline' status is cured by switching the printer off and then on... but why has this suddenly started to happen?

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-04T16:03:35+00:00

    i have the same problem; so frustrating, over and over and over!!!!

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