Printer offline or not printing over Wi-Fi? Step-by-step fix
An “offline” status usually means a connection problem, not a broken printer. In most cases a restart and a fresh connection are enough.
- Most common cause
- lost Wi-Fi connection or a stuck print queue
- Time
- 10–25 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 140–410 zł (Wi-Fi module or board)
Before you restart the printer, remove any jammed paper. Don't unplug it while it is printing. Warning: a factory reset of the printer deletes your Wi-Fi details and saved settings. Write down the network name and password, and do the reset last.
Step by step
Restart everything in the right order
Turn off the printer, the router and the computer. Turn them on in this order: the router first, the printer a minute later, the computer last. Wait until the printer connects to the network. The Wi-Fi light should stop blinking.
Check that everything is on the same network
The printer and the computer must use the same Wi-Fi network. A common mistake: the computer is on the 5 GHz network, while a guest network or a second router has a different name. If you connect by USB, check that the cable is plugged in firmly at both ends.
Turn off offline mode in Windows
Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Select your printer, open the print queue and untick “Use Printer Offline”. Set the printer as your default.
Clear the print queue
A stuck job can block everything. In the queue window, cancel all documents. If they won't delete, restart the computer and try again.
Check the connection in the manufacturer's app
HP: open HP Smart or the Print and Scan Doctor tool, which checks the connection by itself. Canon: on the printer, open the network settings, check that Wi-Fi is on and, if needed, reconnect through Canon PRINT. Epson: print a network connection report from the printer settings and open Epson Smart Panel. Brother: on the printer, open Network → WLAN, check the status, and if there is no connection, use the WLAN setup wizard.
Remove the printer and add it again
In Windows, remove the printer from the list, then add it again. Download the current driver from the manufacturer's website instead of using an old one. On a network, you can add the printer by its IP address, which you can print in the network report.
Reset the printer's network settings
Warning: this deletes the saved Wi-Fi details, so you will enter them again and set up the printer as if it were new. You can find the network reset option in the printer's network or setup menu, and its name depends on the model. After the reset, connect the printer to Wi-Fi again, ideally through the manufacturer's app.
- The printer won't turn on or shows no lights.
- The printer won't connect to any network or computer, even by USB cable.
- An error message with an error code comes back after every restart.
- You smell burning or hear crackling inside.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Diagnosis and setup at a repair shop | 70–200 zł |
| Replacing the Wi-Fi module | 200–480 zł |
| Motherboard repair or replacement | 340–820 zł |
| Printer cleaning and servicing | 140–340 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
You can almost always fix a connection problem yourself, at no cost. Repairing the board in a cheap inkjet usually doesn't pay off, because a new printer costs about the same. For a more expensive laser printer, a repair makes sense. Compare the cost in the calculator.
Check if repairing your printer is worth it
Pick your model and fault. In 2 minutes we show the repair cost, what the device is worth and an honest verdict.
Open the calculator →FAQ
Why does my printer say “offline” when it's on?
Your computer can't see it on the network. Restarting the router and the printer, and unticking offline mode in the print queue, usually helps.
Can I print if Wi-Fi isn't working?
Yes, if the printer has a USB port. Plug in the cable and choose the printer from the list. With network-only models, you have to fix the connection first.
My printer worked yesterday but not today. What changed?
Most often the router gave the printer a new IP address, or a system update installed. Add the printer again, or set a fixed IP address for it in the router.