Productivity can be hampered by a printer that occasionally goes down, especially when you’re working on a crucial task. If your printer is continually going offline, you are not alone in this problem. Thankfully, there are simple methods for getting your printer back online and operating again.
Why Does Your Printer Continue to Error?
Even before the solution list, you must understand why your printer is going offline:
- Connectivity Problem: The Wi-Fi signals are weak, or the cables have disconnected.
- Driver Problem: The driver is outdated or is not compatible with other installed drivers.
- Wrong Configuration: printer settings are set to ‘offline.’
- Network Interference: signals overlap from interfering devices.
- Firmware Issue: Bad printer firmware. Now you know what may be causing it, so let’s get into the solutions.
Rapid Fixes to a Printer Which Keeps Going Offline Every Second
1. Print connection and computer check:
- The printer must be attached to your computer or network.
- Verify whether the USB cable is securely connected when a USB cable is in use.
- For Wi-Fi printers, ensure that your printer and device are on the same network.
A bad connection is usually the reason why your printer goes offline all the time.
2. Restart Your Printer and Computer:
- Turn off the printer and unplug it for 30 seconds.
- Restart the computer or device.
- Turn on the printer to wait for it to reestablish the connection with the network.
- Most of the time, a reboot fixes temporary conflicts causing a hang-up that puts the printer in repeated going offline.
3. Set Printer to Default Device:
Windows:
- Devices and Printers in Control Panel
- Right-click on the printer device and select Set as Default Printer.
MacOS:
- System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
- Select your printer to set it to default
That way, the system will first try to send data to your preferred printer, hence not going into an offline status.
4. Update Printer Drivers:
- Go to the printer manufacturer’s website and download the newest driver for your printer model.
- Install the drivers and restart your computer. This will likely cause compatibility issues, so it will make your printer suddenly go offline.
5. Turn off ‘Use Printer Offline.
Windows:
- Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
- Right-click your printer and select See what’s printing.
- Click Printer on the new window and uncheck Use Printer Offline
Mac:
- Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
- Make sure the printer status is set to Online
This simple solution should also resolve the error even if the printer goes into an offline mode
6. Strengthen WiFi signal:
- Move the printer closer to the router to strengthen the signal
- Minimize obstructions that may degrade signal strength, such as microwaves and cordless phones.
The most common cause of a printer going into an offline status when connected wirelessly is poor signals.
7. Firmware Upgrade:
- Determine the printer settings or visit the website of the manufacturer to find the latest firmware download.
- Follow the update instructions.
- Firmware upgrades often eliminate bugs and functionality issues that may cause your printer to constantly go into an offline status.
Prevention: Keeping Your Printer Online
- Update Regularly: Update the printer drivers and firmware.
- Optimize Your Network: Ensure the Wi-Fi network is strong, stable, and not prone to interference.
- Use a Static IP: Assign a static IP to the printer to prevent network conflicts.
- Do Routine Maintenance: Clean the printer and perform hardware checks from time to time.
Final Words
This might even prompt you to call it a day and get that new printer the following day; not so! These easy solutions will get your printer back on the network again. Little things add up, as seen in how updating drivers to optimize network connections makes a lot of difference. Time to say adios to printing ills and more tricks and tips by contacting PrinterNotWorking’s website.