Canon Printer Offline on Mac or Windows

A Canon printer showing offline on Mac or Windows often results from connection errors, outdated drivers, or wrong printer settings. To fix it, check WiFi or USB connections, set the printer as default, update drivers, and restart the print spooler. These steps usually restore your Canon printer’s online status quickly. 

Why Is My Canon Printer not printing and Solutions.jpg

Canon Printer Offline: Causes, Fixes, and Solutions for Mac and Windows 

Printers are essential devices for homes and offices, and Canon printers are among the most popular brands globally. However, a common issue faced by Canon printer users is the "Printer Offline" status. When your Canon printer shows as offline, it means your computer or device cannot communicate with the printer, preventing you from printing documents.

This article will dive deep into understanding why your Canon printer is offline, how to fix it, and step-by-step solutions for both Mac and Windows (Windows 10 & Windows 11) users.

What Does "Canon Printer Offline" Mean?

When your printer is offline, it means your computer cannot connect to it or communicate properly. Your device does not recognize the printer as ready to print. This status might appear even when your printer is powered on and connected properly.

Common messages include:

  • "Canon Printer Offline"

  • "Printer is not responding"

  • "Cannot communicate with the printer"

Causes vary widely, from connection problems, driver issues, or settings changes to physical hardware malfunctions.

Why Is My Canon Printer Offline? Common Causes

There are several reasons your Canon printer might show as offline. Some of the most frequent causes include:

1. Connection Issues

  • USB or Network Cable Problems: A loose or faulty USB or Ethernet cable can cause communication breakdown.

  • WiFi Network Issues: If your printer is wireless, it might lose connection to your WiFi router.

  • Router or Network Glitches: Network congestion or router settings can disrupt printer communication.

2. Printer Settings

  • Printer set to Offline Mode: Sometimes the printer driver is set manually to "Use Printer Offline."

  • Incorrect Printer Selected: Your computer may be trying to print to a different or old printer profile.

  • Spooler Service Problems: Windows spooler service, which manages print jobs, might have crashed or stopped.

3. Driver and Software Problems

  • Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: Printer drivers are essential for communication; if outdated or corrupted, issues arise.

  • Windows or Mac Updates: OS updates sometimes interfere with printer functionality.

  • Print Queue Blocked: Jobs stuck in the print queue can cause the printer to appear offline.

4. Hardware Problems

  • Printer Errors: Paper jams, low ink, or other printer errors can cause the device to become unavailable.

  • Power Issues: Printer not powered on or in sleep mode.

How to Fix Canon Printer Offline Status

Now that you understand why your Canon printer might show offline, let’s move to fixes that typically solve the issue.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Check the Printer Power and Status

    • Make sure the printer is turned on.

    • Check the printer display for any error messages.

    • Ensure there is paper loaded and ink/toner available.

  2. Check the Connection

    • If wired, ensure USB or Ethernet cables are securely connected.

    • If wireless, confirm the printer is connected to the correct WiFi network.

    • Restart your router and printer.

  3. Restart Devices

    • Turn off your printer and computer.

    • Wait 1-2 minutes.

    • Power on the printer and then the computer.

  4. Set Printer Online

    • Sometimes the printer driver is set to offline mode manually. You can change this setting (explained in detail below for Mac and Windows).

Fix Canon Printer Offline on Windows 10

If you are using Windows 10, follow these steps to resolve the offline status:

Step 1: Set the Printer Online

  1. Press Windows + R, type control printers, and press Enter.

  2. In the Devices and Printers window, right-click your Canon printer and select See what's printing.

  3. Click on the Printer menu at the top.

  4. Uncheck Use Printer Offline if it is checked.

  5. If it is already unchecked, try checking and then unchecking it again.

Step 2: Restart the Print Spooler Service

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

  2. Scroll down to find Print Spooler.

  3. Right-click on it and select Restart.

  4. After the service restarts, check if the printer status changes.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

  1. Go to the official Canon website and download the latest driver for your model.

  2. Open Device Manager (Press Windows + X, then select Device Manager).

  3. Find your printer under Printers or Universal Serial Bus controllers.

  4. Right-click and choose Uninstall device.

  5. Disconnect your printer and restart your computer.

  6. Reconnect the printer and install the latest drivers downloaded from Canon.

Step 4: Run the Windows Troubleshooter

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

  2. Select Additional troubleshooters.

  3. Click on Printer and run the troubleshooter.

  4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Fix Canon Printer Offline on Windows 11

Windows 11 shares many steps with Windows 10 but has slightly different interface details.

Step 1: Check Printer Status and Set Online

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.

  2. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

  3. Select your Canon printer.

  4. Click on Open print queue.

  5. Select the Printer menu and ensure Use Printer Offline is unchecked.

Step 2: Restart Print Spooler via Services

  • Same steps as Windows 10 (run services.msc, restart Print Spooler).

Step 3: Reinstall Drivers

  • Visit Canon’s website for Windows 11 compatible drivers.

  • Follow the same uninstall and reinstall process as Windows 10.

Step 4: Network Troubleshooting

  • In Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network troubleshooter.

  • Run the troubleshooter to fix connection issues that might be affecting printer status.

Fix Canon Printer Offline on Mac

If you are using a Mac, follow these steps to fix your Canon printer offline problem.

Step 1: Check Printer Connection and Power

  • Ensure the printer is turned on and connected via USB or WiFi.

  • If wireless, verify your Mac and printer are on the same WiFi network.

Step 2: Reset the Printing System

  1. Open System Preferences.

  2. Select Printers & Scanners.

  3. Right-click (or Control-click) in the printer list.

  4. Choose Reset printing system... (This will delete all printers and scanners).

  5. Confirm the reset and then add your Canon printer again.

Step 3: Remove and Re-Add the Printer

  1. In Printers & Scanners, select your Canon printer.

  2. Click the minus (-) button to remove it.

  3. Click the plus (+) button to add the printer again.

  4. Select your printer from the list and click Add.

Step 4: Update macOS and Printer Drivers

  • Ensure macOS is updated: Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update.

  • Download and install the latest Canon drivers from the official Canon support website.

Additional Tips to Fix Canon Printer Offline

1. Use a Static IP Address (For Network Printers)

  • Assign a static IP to your printer in the router settings to avoid IP address conflicts that cause the printer to appear offline.

2. Clear the Print Queue

  • Sometimes stuck print jobs cause the printer to go offline.

  • Clear the queue by canceling all print jobs from the printer queue window.

3. Disable SNMP Status on Printer Port (Windows)

  • Go to Devices and Printers > right-click printer > Printer properties > Ports tab.

  • Select the port and click Configure Port.

  • Uncheck SNMP Status Enabled and apply changes.

4. Firewall and Antivirus Settings

  • Ensure that your firewall or antivirus software is not blocking the printer communication.

  • Temporarily disable them to test if they are causing the issue.

Summary

The Canon printer offline problem can be frustrating but is usually fixable with some basic troubleshooting steps. The key points are:

  • Check physical connections and power.

  • Ensure the printer is set to online mode.

  • Restart the print spooler service.

  • Update or reinstall printer drivers.

  • Use OS-specific steps for Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac.

  • Check network connections and consider static IPs for wireless printers.

If all else fails, contacting Canon support or a technician may be necessary to diagnose hardware issues.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Canon Printer Offline

1. Why does my Canon printer keep showing offline even though it is turned on?

This usually happens due to connection issues, such as a loose USB cable, WiFi problems, or the printer driver being set to offline mode. Restarting the printer, checking connections, and setting the printer online in the computer’s settings usually fix this.

2. How do I set my Canon printer from offline to online?

On Windows, open Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, select See what’s printing, then click Printer menu and uncheck Use Printer Offline. On Mac, remove and re-add the printer or reset the printing system in Printers & Scanners.

3. Why is my Canon printer offline on Windows 10 but works on another computer?

This often indicates a driver issue or local computer settings problem. Try reinstalling the printer drivers, restarting the print spooler service, and ensuring the correct printer is set as default on your Windows 10 machine.

4. How can I fix my Canon printer offline problem on Windows 11?

Check the printer status via Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, restart the print spooler service via Services, update drivers, and run Windows Network and Printer troubleshooters to resolve connectivity and driver issues.

5. My Canon printer shows offline on Mac, how do I fix this?

First, ensure the printer and Mac are on the same network. Then, reset the printing system via System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, remove and re-add the printer, and update your macOS and printer drivers for compatibility.

6. Can outdated printer drivers cause the Canon printer to appear offline?

Yes, outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent your computer from communicating with the printer properly, causing it to show offline. Always download and install the latest drivers from the official Canon website.

7. Why does my Canon printer show offline on WiFi but works fine with USB?

This usually points to network issues such as WiFi signal problems, incorrect network configuration, or IP address conflicts. Restart your router, assign a static IP to your printer, and ensure the printer is connected to the same network as your computer.

8. What is the print spooler and how does it affect the printer status?

The print spooler is a Windows service that manages print jobs. If it crashes or stops, your printer may appear offline. Restarting the print spooler service often resolves the offline issue.

9. How do I clear the print queue if my Canon printer is offline?

Open Devices and Printers, right-click your Canon printer, select See what’s printing, click Printer, and choose Cancel All Documents. Clearing stuck jobs can help reset the printer to online status.

10. Does disabling SNMP status on the printer port help fix the offline issue?

Sometimes yes. On Windows, disabling SNMP status in the port configuration prevents the system from misinterpreting the printer’s status, which can help fix the offline problem.

11. Is it necessary to disable firewall or antivirus to fix Canon printer offline errors?

Not always, but sometimes firewall or antivirus software blocks printer communication. Temporarily disabling them can help identify if they are causing the problem, but be sure to enable them afterward for security.

12. What should I do if none of the troubleshooting steps fix my Canon printer offline problem?

If basic and advanced troubleshooting don’t work, consider contacting Canon customer support or a professional technician. There may be hardware faults or deeper software issues needing expert attention.

logo

canon