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

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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
    2014-02-02T15:56:03+00:00

    Make sure you are trying to communicate to the printer through the correct port.

    From the control panel, right click on the target printer that is currently showing up as "Offline."  Select "Properties," then go to the "Ports" tab. You will see a list of ports and IP Addresses. Ensure that there is a check in the box by your target printer's port/IP Address, then make sure to click "Apply."  If there is no check in the box by your tartget printer's port/IP Address, then your computer isn't communicating to the printer through the appropriate port. (To make it extremely simple to understand: As far as ports go, it's like trying to call a friend named "Mike" by dialing your friend "Jake's" phone number... You're never gonna reach Mike, even if Jake's phone is working fine.)

    I really hope this helps.

    This worked for me thanks. But what I don't understand is why the port would become unchecked by itself. Neither me or my wife mess with these settings, and we print several times a day from our home office

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-03T20:43:10+00:00

    I tried this, but printer still shows 'offline.' still looking . . .

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-08T18:48:28+00:00

    how do I change my cannon printer to onlne?

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-09T22:03:04+00:00

    OK, so the question was, basically:  My printer is offline.  How do I turn it online.

    I was able to follow the directions until I got to Step 1.d where it says, If the Printer is offline, set it online.  I don't see a way to do that.  (We're right back where we started!)  Can you please elaborate?  How is 1.d done, which I think was the question to begin with.  And I mean, please show us screen shots or talk us through the screen shots to get us there.  Thanks.

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