Fixing a Canon Printer That is Offline

When a Canon printer is showing as “Offline” on your computer, it means the print spooler has lost the communication path to the device’s IP address or USB port.

Step 1: Uncheck the “Use Printer Offline” Setting

Windows can manually force a printer offline. This is the most common cause of the issue.

1. Open the Windows search menu and type Control Panel.
2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.
3. Right-click on your Canon printer and select See what’s printing.
4. In the new window, click the Printer menu at the top left.
5. Look for Use Printer Offline. If it has a checkmark next to it, click it to remove the checkmark.

Step 2: Restart the Print Spooler

1. Press Windows Key + R.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Scroll down to Print Spooler.
4. Right-click and select Restart.

Step 3: Configure a Static IP Address

If your Canon printer connects via Wi-Fi, the router may have assigned it a new IP address, confusing the Windows port settings.

1. Print a network configuration page from your Canon printer’s control panel. Note the IP Address.
2. In Windows Devices and Printers, right-click the Canon printer and select Printer properties.
3. Go to the Ports tab and click Add Port.
4. Select Standard TCP/IP Port and click New Port.
5. Enter the IP address you found on the configuration page and complete the wizard.