Why is My Canon Printer Offline and How Do I Fix It?

A Canon printer that shows an “offline” status is one of the most frustrating issues users can face, especially when urgent printing tasks are at stake. This problem occurs when the printer is unable to communicate with your computer, either due to software, network, or hardware issues. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to fix this.

In this detailed guide, we will explore:

• What “Printer Offline” really means

• The most common reasons why your Canon printer might go offline

• Step-by-step solutions for Windows and Mac

• How to prevent the issue in the future

What Does “Canon Printer Offline” Mean?

When your Canon printer is showing as “Offline,” it simply means your computer is unable to communicate with the printer. It does not always mean your printer is turned off—it could be on, loaded with paper, and have full ink, yet your system still sees it as unavailable.

This can be caused by:

• Software misconfiguration

• Network disconnection (for wireless printers)

• USB connection issues (for wired printers)

• Outdated or corrupted drivers

• Print queue problems

Now let’s take a closer look at each of the causes and their solutions.

Common Reasons Why Your Canon Printer is Offline

1. Loose or Faulty Cable Connections

For USB printers, if the cable is not properly connected or is damaged, your printer won’t be detected properly and will show offline.

2. Printer is Set to “Use Printer Offline” Mode

In Windows, this feature may automatically enable during certain errors, causing the printer to stop responding.

3. Wi-Fi or Network Connectivity Issues

Wireless Canon printers depend on a stable network connection. If the network is unstable or the printer is connected to a different Wi-Fi, it may go offline.

4. Outdated or Corrupted Printer Drivers

Drivers act as a bridge between your operating system and printer. Corrupted or outdated drivers can stop communication.

5. Print Spooler Service Problems

The print spooler service manages all print jobs. If it crashes or is disabled, your printer may appear offline.

6. Incorrect Printer Settings

Your Canon printer might not be set as the default printer, or it may have pending jobs stuck in the print queue.

7. Firmware or Software Glitches

Bugs or glitches in the firmware or software might affect the printer’s online status.

How to Fix “Canon Printer Offline” on Windows

✅ Preliminary Checks

Before diving into technical fixes:

• Ensure the printer is turned on.

• Check all cables if using a USB connection.

• Restart your computer and printer.

• Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

🔧 Fix 1: Restart Print Spooler Service

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

2. Find and right-click Print Spooler, then choose Restart.

3. Right-click it again, select Properties, and set the Startup Type to Automatic.

4. Click OK and close the window.

5. Try printing again.

🔧 Fix 2: Disable “Use Printer Offline” Mode

1. Type Control Panel in the search box and press Enter.

2. Go to Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.

3. Right-click your Canon printer and choose See what’s printing.

4. Click the Printer tab.

5. Uncheck Use Printer Offline if it’s checked.

6. Also select Cancel All Documents to clear stuck jobs.

🔧 Fix 3: Set Your Canon Printer as Default

1. From Devices and Printers, right-click your Canon printer.

2. Choose Set as default printer.

3. A green checkmark will appear indicating it’s the default.

🔧 Fix 4: Reinstall Canon Printer Drivers

1. Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Expand Print queues and uninstall your Canon printer.

3. Visit the Canon Support site, download your printer’s latest driver, and install it.

4. Restart your system and try printing again.

🔧 Fix 5: Check Network Status (For Wireless Printers)

1. On the printer’s control panel, go to Network Settings.

2. Run a Wireless LAN Test or Print Network Configuration Page.

3. Ensure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your PC.

4. If not, reconnect your printer using the WPS button on your router or through the Wi-Fi setup wizard on the printer.

How to Fix “Canon Printer Offline” on Mac

✅ Preliminary Steps

• Ensure your printer is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

• Restart your Mac and the printer.

• Make sure no error messages are flashing on the printer screen.

🔧 Fix 1: Reset the Printing System

1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

2. Right-click (or Control + Click) in the printer list and select Reset printing system.

3. Confirm when prompted.

4. Re-add your Canon printer by clicking the “+” button.

🔧 Fix 2: Delete and Re-Add the Printer

1. Navigate to Printers & Scanners.

2. Select your Canon printer and click the “-” to remove it.

3. Reconnect the printer via USB or Wi-Fi.

4. Click the “+” button to add it again.

🔧 Fix 3: Check for macOS Updates

1. Go to System Settings > Software Update.

2. Install any pending updates.

3. Reboot your Mac.

🔧 Fix 4: Update or Reinstall Canon Printer Drivers

1. Visit the official Canon support page.

2. Search for your printer model and download the latest Mac driver.

3. Install and restart the system.

Fix Canon Printer Offline on Wireless Network

If your Canon printer is connected wirelessly, follow these specific tips:

✅ Reconnect Your Printer to Wi-Fi

1. Go to your printer’s Network Setup or Wi-Fi Settings.

2. Choose Wireless LAN Setup.

3. Use the WPS method (press and hold WPS on your router) or manually connect by entering your Wi-Fi SSID and password.

✅ Assign a Static IP to Your Printer

Sometimes DHCP issues can cause printers to disconnect. Set a static IP:

1. Access your router settings via browser (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

2. Locate DHCP reservation or Static IP section.

3. Assign a fixed IP to your Canon printer based on its MAC address.

✅ Restart All Devices

• Power off your router, printer, and computer.

• Wait 30 seconds, then turn them back on.

• Check if the printer now appears online.

Bonus Fixes for Canon Printer Offline Errors

🛠️ Use the Canon PRINT App

For mobile printing and diagnostics, download the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app from your app store. It can also help re-establish a wireless connection and update firmware.

🛠️ Disable SNMP Protocol (Advanced)

Some printers may go offline due to SNMP conflicts.

1. Open Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your Canon printer > Printer Properties > Ports tab.

3. Click Configure Port.

4. Uncheck SNMP Status Enabled, then click OK.

🛠️ Check for Firewall or Antivirus Conflicts

• Sometimes, overprotective firewall settings may block printer communication.

• Try temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall and see if the printer comes online.

• If successful, add your printer to the list of exceptions.

Preventing Future Canon Printer Offline Issues

• Keep drivers updated: Regularly check Canon’s support page for the latest versions.

• Use a reliable power source: Avoid power strips with faulty connections.

• Stabilize your Wi-Fi network: Ensure your printer and PC are on the same strong Wi-Fi signal.

• Avoid long idle periods: Some printers auto-sleep. Try waking it up or restarting.

• Clean out print queues regularly: Cancel stuck print jobs promptly.

When to Contact Canon Support

If none of the solutions above resolve the issue, your printer may be facing:

• Hardware failures (e.g., motherboard or Wi-Fi module failure)

• Severe driver conflicts

• Firmware corruption

Reach out to Canon Customer Service or visit a Canon authorized service center.

Final Thoughts

The “Canon Printer Offline” error, while annoying, is usually temporary and fixable with basic troubleshooting. Whether it’s a simple setting issue, a network disconnect, or outdated drivers, this guide has shown you multiple ways to get your printer back online.

Make sure to always keep your software up to date, verify connections, and perform regular maintenance to prevent this issue in the future. Your Canon printer should now be working perfectly—and if not, expert help is just a click away.