Windows 10: Why does my printer go "offline"?

I went to the question about this in the "Community" and all I got back was one answer (that didn't work) and a bunch of like questions. Can someone answer clearly and simply what to do when running Windows 10 (grrr) and printer constantly is "off line"? I transcribe for a living, print very little (most transmissions are on-line) but occasionally need to print something. Like now.

:)

 

Printer offline

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Could you please help me with the below question:

• Did you make any changes to the computer before this issue started?
  

Printer will continually switch itself to offline mode due to an IP port issue. To keep the printer from switching to offline mode, you must validate the printer's IP address.

Meanwhile, please follow the troubleshooting steps as mentioned below:

Steps:

1. Press Windows andR
   key together on your Keyboard.
2. Type Control and hit enter.
3. Click on Hardware and sound> click on Devices and printers.
   
4. Select the HP Printer 2540, right click on it.
5. Uncheck the option use printer offline and select
   properties.
6. Go to the Ports tab at the top of the pop-up window.
7. Click on "Configure Port"
8. Check that the "Printer Name or IP address:" box is the same as the IP of your printer.

You can also refer this link for more information
about Printer issues.

Hope it helps.

Roohi Taj S

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Networked Printer showing "Offline"

Hey guys,

I'm having a slight issue with one of my printers in that it's showing offline and I can't print to it.

It's a Datamax label printer which is connected to my network via a Netgear print server, this has then be added to one of my servers for sharing etc.

So far I've tried the below.

- Classic on/off.
- Removing from server and re-adding.
- Ensuring that under port configuration SNMP Status is disabled.
- Assigning to different IP.
- Restarting Print Spooler.

I can ping it fine and the printer itself is letting me do manual test prints using its interface, but no matter what I cannot get it to stop showing up as offline and allowing me to print to it over the network. I should add that it's worked fine for the past year.

Any suggestions?

 

Both printers register offline for Windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for the update.

Resetting the power to your printer is a quick way to reset the printing system and prepare for further troubleshooting if necessary.

• 
  If the printer is off, turn on the printer, and then check the status of the printer:
  • 
    If the printer starts printing jobs from the print queue, your printer is clearing out queued print jobs and is online. You can stop troubleshooting.
    
  • 
    If the printer goes to an idle state after its startup routine, it might be online.
    
  • 
    If the computer still shows the printer as offline, continue using these steps.
    
• 
  With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the printer.
  
• 
  Unplug the printer power cord from the wall outlet.
  
• 
  If you are using a USB cable or network cable, make sure that the cable has not become disconnected or damaged.
  
• 
  Wait at least 60 seconds. Restart the computer while you are waiting.
  
• 
  Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.
  
• 
  Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the product.
  
• 
  If the printer does not turn on by itself, press the Power button to turn it on.
  
• 
  Try to print.
  • 
    If you can print, the printer is online again. Continue to the next step if the printer goes offline again when printing later.
    
  • 
    If the printer cannot print and remains offline, continue to the next step.