To get your printer back online, start by ensuring it is **powered on**, properly **connected via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi** (not on a wrong or guest network), and there are no blinking error lights on the device. Then **power cycle** your printer, computer, and router/modem by turning them off, waiting about 30–60 seconds, and turning them back on in this order: router, printer, computer[1][2][4].
Next, check your printer settings on your computer:
– On **Windows 11**, go to **Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners**, select your printer, and make sure **“Use Printer Offline”** is unchecked. If needed, remove and then re-add the printer there.
– On **macOS Sonoma**, go to **System Settings > Printers & Scanners**, check the print queue, and click **“Resume”** if the printer is paused[1].
If the printer still shows as offline, try restarting the **Print Spooler service** on Windows (search for “Services,” find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart), and ensure your printer drivers and firmware are up to date[4].
Printing a **Network Configuration Page** directly from the printer can help verify its current connection status and IP address, which assists in troubleshooting network-related issues[1].
If after these steps your printer remains offline, reinstalling the printer software or resetting network settings on the printer itself often helps[1][4].
These steps cover wired and wireless printers across Windows 10/11 and macOS and are the most common and effective methods to bring a printer back online as of 2025[1][4].