To get a printer back online in Windows 10, restart the printer and your PC, and make sure both are on the same network. Then go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, select Open queue, open the Printer menu, and clear Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing.
Try the fixes in order and test a print after each one.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
1. Restart the printer and check its connection
- Turn the printer off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
- For a USB printer, check both ends of the cable, or try another USB port.
- For a wireless printer, check that it’s on the same Wi-Fi network as your PC. Most printers show this on their screen or on a printed network report.
2. Turn off Use Printer Offline
- Select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select your printer, then select Open queue.
- Select the Printer menu.
- If Use Printer Offline or Pause Printing has a check mark, select it to clear it.
- Select Set As Default Printer if this is the printer you use most.
3. Clear stuck print jobs
In the same queue window, select Printer > Cancel All Documents, then select Yes. A stuck job can keep the printer showing as offline.
4. Restart the Print Spooler
- Press Windows logo key + R, type
services.msc, and press Enter. - Find Print Spooler in the list.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
5. Run the printer troubleshooter
Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Printer > Run the troubleshooter.
6. Remove the printer and add it again
- In Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer and select Remove device.
- Select Add a printer or scanner and pick the printer when it appears.
See how to add a printer in Windows 10 for printers that don’t appear.
7. Update the printer driver
Download the latest Windows 10 driver from the printer maker’s website and install it. See how to update all drivers on Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my printer keep going offline?
The most common causes are Wi-Fi drops, the printer going to sleep, or its network address changing. Giving the printer a fixed address in your router settings often stops it.
The printer is online but won’t print. What now?
Clear the queue and restart the Print Spooler (fixes 3 and 4), then check that the right printer is set as the default.
If the printer is shared from another PC, see how to share a printer in Windows 10.
To see which documents were printed, see how to check print history in Windows 10.
Microsoft’s guide is Troubleshooting offline printer problems in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.