Your network printer works fine from every other computer, but shows as offline on your Windows PC. Here's how to fix this single-computer printer problem.

Why Is the Printer Offline on Only One Computer?

Everyone else in your office or household can print just fine to the network printer. But when you try from your Windows PC, it shows as "Offline" or "Unavailable." You know the printer is working because you just saw your coworker print something.

This frustrating issue is actually easier to solve than printer-wide problems because it's clearly a configuration or driver issue on your specific computer, not the printer itself. Let's work through the most effective solutions.

Quick Fix: Clear Offline Status and Restart Print Spooler

Often the printer gets stuck in offline mode and needs to be reset:

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
Click on your offline printer
Click "Open print queue"
In the print queue window, click "Printer" in the menu bar
If you see checkmarks next to "Use Printer Offline" or "Pause Printing," click them to uncheck
Close the window

Now restart the Print Spooler service:

Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter
Scroll down to "Print Spooler"
Right-click it and select "Restart"
Wait a few seconds and try printing again

🔧Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions

Solution 1: Verify Network Connection and Settings

Make sure your PC is on the same network as the printer:

Check that you're connected to the correct Wi-Fi network (not a guest network or different SSID)
Verify your network profile is set to "Private":
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet)
- Click on your connection name
- Under "Network profile type," select "Private"
Ensure Network Discovery is enabled:
- Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center
- Click "Change advanced sharing settings"
- Under "Private," make sure "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" are both selected

Solution 2: Remove and Reinstall the Printer

A fresh installation often resolves driver or configuration issues:

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
Find your offline printer and click on it
Click "Remove" or "Remove device"
Confirm the removal
Restart your computer
After restarting, go back to Printers & scanners
Click "Add device" or "Add a printer or scanner"
Wait for Windows to find your printer
Select it from the list and click "Add device"

If Windows doesn't automatically find the printer, click "The printer that I want isn't listed" and add it manually using its IP address.

Solution 3: Add Printer Using TCP/IP (Static IP Method)

The WSD (Web Services for Devices) protocol that Windows uses by default can be unreliable. Adding the printer as a TCP/IP device works better:

Find your printer's IP address (usually printed on a network configuration page from the printer itself or check your router's connected devices)
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
Click "Add device"
Click "Add manually"
Select "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname"
Enter the printer's IP address in the "Hostname or IP address" field
Leave "Query the printer" checked
Click Next and follow the prompts
Windows will install the appropriate driver

Important: For best results, assign your printer a static IP address in your router settings so the IP never changes.

Solution 4: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers often cause offline status issues:

Visit your printer manufacturer's website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.)
Navigate to the Support or Downloads section
Enter your printer model number
Download the latest driver for Windows 11 or Windows 10
Run the installer and follow the instructions
Restart your computer after installation

Alternatively, update through Device Manager:

Right-click Start and select Device Manager
Expand "Print queues" or "Printers"
Right-click your printer and select "Update driver"
Choose "Search automatically for drivers"

Solution 5: Disable SNMP Status

SNMP monitoring can sometimes cause false offline reports:

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
Click on your printer
Click "Printer properties"
Go to the "Ports" tab
Select the port your printer uses (usually has a checkmark)
Click "Configure Port"
Uncheck "SNMP Status Enabled"
Click OK on all windows
Try printing again

If That Didn't Work

Try these additional troubleshooting steps:

Run Printer Troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Printer
Clear Print Queue: Delete all pending jobs in the print queue, restart Print Spooler
Check Firewall: Temporarily disable Windows Firewall to see if it's blocking printer communication
Update Windows: Install all pending Windows updates, including optional driver updates
Temporarily Disable Antivirus: Third-party security software sometimes blocks network printer communication

📞When to Call a Professional

Some printer network issues require professional expertise:

You've tried all solutions but the printer remains offline only on your PC
Your printer requires complex network configuration or VLAN setup
You need to set up secure printing or printer authentication
Multiple printers on your network are having issues
You're experiencing network problems beyond just printer connectivity

A professional can diagnose network configuration issues, set up proper printer infrastructure, and ensure reliable printing across all your devices.

Printer Problems Driving You Crazy?

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How to Fix Network Printer Offline Only From This PC