Printer offline? A Helpfull Guide

After a long day of work, the important document is finally completed. You want to submit the print job and leave the office to enjoy your free time. The hardware suddenly stops working and the printer shows no response - instead, you get the message: The printer is offline. This is realy frustrating. The causes of this problem can vary due to the manufacturer and model of the respective printer. You are not alone with this problem and mostly it can be solved with a few simple steps!

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Connection via USB? Here are some solutions!

When your printer is offline, the first thing to check is if it is connected to your computer via a USB port. If this is the case, the problem can be solved simply by selecting a different USB port. Another cause of the problem could be that the printer went into energy saving mode during operation. In this case, simply restart the device and reconnect it to the computer. If you continue to receive the offline notification, you should open the Windows Control Panel and choose the "Display all Devices and Printers" option. By clicking on the right mouse button, you can activate the option "Printer Properties". Under the option "Security" you can tick the box "Allow". Now your printer should function correctly. Another way to fix the error is to simply connect the printer to the Fritzbox, if you have one.

Quick Tip

1. Open Windows Control Panel: You can access the Control Panel via the "Start" button
2. Open "View Devices and Printers"
3. Right-click on the printer and open "Printer Properties"
4. Under "Properties of the Printer" open the "Security" options
5. To allow printing tick the box "Allow" under "Permission for Everyone"

Windows 7 Control Panel

Connection via WLAN? Here are some solutions!

When your printer is controlled by WLAN connection, the cause of the printer being offline could also be a problem within the network. Make sure the printer and the router are turned on. It is also important that the printer and computer are connectet to the same WLAN network. To connect your printer to the network, you must enter the IP address and WLAN password. Some printers display the "offline mode" when the level of toner or ink in the cartridge has fallen to a certain low level. Normally such errors are visible on the printer's display. You should also check if there is enough paper in the paper tray. Not enough paper in the tray can also lead to the error message that the printer is offline. As soon as you have filled the paper tray, the error message will be canceled.

The firewall is blocking the printer

In addition to the issues mentioned above which may cause the printer to be offline, this may also be due to the security software on your PC. The firewall could see the printer's software as a potential threat and therefore block the printer. It is doing so to protect the network. Depending on the security software you use for your computer, different modules are usually used to keep your computer organized. The most important modules are anti-virus and anti-spy settings, as well as parental controls and of cause the well-known firewall. The firewall usually causes the biggest problems, because it was actually designed to ward off threats from the outside that could damage the network. This can cause the firewall to block the connection between the printer and the network. You should know that, in addition to the firewall of your security software, the operating system of your computer also has a firewall. It is obvious that the operating system's firewall serves the same purpose. For both firewalls you need to choose the settings carefully to avoid your printer going offline.

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Basic troubleshooting options for problems caused by the firewall

One way to avoid problems with your firewall is to keep it updated. Normally the firewall updates automatically. When your firewall has different security setting options such as "high," "medium," or "low", you should choose the "medium" option. Some firewalls have the option to choose different settings for a "zone of trust". These settings can be used when your PC is connected to the printer.

Simple solutions when the printer is offline

There may be other reasons for your printer being offline then mentioned above. If this is the case, sometimes simple tricks can help to fix the error message. If you can't solve the problem yourself, you can of cause rely on the support or check in the printer manual for any further causes of the occurring error message. If your printer is an older model and keeps causing problems, the easiest solution may be to buy a new one. This will allow you to print flawlessly and equip you with the latest technical developments.

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