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
    2018-08-05T10:26:25+00:00

    Not really  -  printer appears as offline  -  but 'use printer offline' is already unchecked 

    Get this problem repeatedly with more than one printer (mine and my parents)

    None of us being tech heads means that we can easily lose hours getting more and more frustrated at tech that really should work out of the box, and once set up continue to work, without settings being changed by ghosts in the computer.

    Rant over - going to scrap another printer and buy another in the vain hope this might allow me to print off a recipe for a friend. - not environmentally friendly but needs must eh?

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-07-27T16:48:18+00:00

    The printer is a network printer and could not be taken offline (only one printer in this user's office).

    To correct the issue, the printer was removed and reinstalled.

    I agree, there is not any preset method that will correct the problem, if one process does not work, you go onto another.

    Thanks

    also for scanner yes

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-07-27T16:21:38+00:00

    The printer is a network printer and could not be taken offline (only one printer in this user's office).

    To correct the issue, the printer was removed and reinstalled.

    I agree, there is not any preset method that will correct the problem, if one process does not work, you go onto another.

    Thanks

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    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2018-05-31T00:30:57+00:00

    My printer is offline and won't print - how to get it back?

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