Printer offline-How can I change it to "on-line"

Anonymous
2011-01-04T17:10:46+00:00

How can I change a printer that is networked from "off-line" to  "online" to one computer?

Ours is accessible to my computer but not my wife's as her status is "off-line."

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.

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Anonymous
2011-01-05T05:30:21+00:00

Hi WVseagull,

Check the status of the printer at Control Panel. Set it to online if it’s shown as offline. If this doesn’t fix the problem, check whether installing the vista driver available at your printer manufacturer’s website helps.

Step 1:

a. Click Start, go to Control Panel and select Hardware and Sound.

b. Click Printer.

c. If the Printer is offline, it shows “Offline” status. If the Printer is online it shows “Ready”.

d. If the Printer is offline, set it to online.

e. Right-click on the printer and select “Use Printer Online”.

f. The display should change to ready when the printer is set to online.

Step 2:

If still you are facing issues, then update the printer driver. This should fix the problem.

Update drivers: recommended links

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Update-drivers-recommended-links

Hope this information is helpful.

Praseetha K

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-06-12T21:08:08+00:00

    This is useless for Windows 10. Even the URL addresses Vista problems, so I don't understand why they use this link for windows 10. The control panel site doesn't exist.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-05T17:40:44+00:00

    I have a Brother MFC J870DW. It occasionally goes offline all by itself. I have never known why it does this. The settings say it is online, but it will not print and the message I get is that it is offline. 

    I have tried all the suggested remedies and they all fail. I give up and reinstall the printer software and that puts it back online.  That is the only remedy that has worked for me.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-06-04T15:29:11+00:00

    Hi,

    you may have comunication between usb and pc.

    Try these steps:

    1. Can you try to turn it on before you turn your pc or before you print?
    2. Update the printer driver and pc.
    3. Try another usb cable if these steps above not work.

    good luck

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-06-02T16:11:12+00:00

    I always had this problem.  Then I bought a new Canon TS8020 printer in early 2017.  It turns itself off automatically after a few hours, so before I print I have to turn it on.  If I then hit print immediately it says "printer offline", then it somehow turns itself online and prints.  I don't even have to do anything.

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