If your printer is showing as offline in Windows 10, you can follow these steps to change its status to online:
Check the physical connections:
- Ensure that the printer is turned on and connected to your computer or network.
- For a wired printer, check the USB cable and try using a different USB port.
- For a wireless printer, ensure that it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
Set the printer as the default:
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Go to "Devices" and then "Printers & scanners."
- Find your printer in the list, click on it, and select "Manage."
- Click "Set as default."
Check the printer's status in the settings:
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Go to "Devices" and then "Printers & scanners."
- Click on your printer in the list, then click on "Open queue."
- In the printer queue window, click on "Printer" in the menu bar.
- Make sure "Use Printer Offline" is unchecked. If it's checked, click on it to deselect the option.
Restart the Print Spooler service:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "services.msc" and press Enter to open the Services window.
- Locate "Print Spooler" in the list of services, right-click on it, and select "Restart."
- Close the Services window.
Run the Windows Troubleshooter:
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Go to "Update & Security" and click on "Troubleshoot."
- Click on "Additional troubleshooters."
- Find "Printer" and click on "Run the troubleshooter."
- Follow the on-screen instructions to diagnose and fix the issue.
After following these steps, your printer should now show as online in Windows 10. If you still encounter issues, consult your printer's user manual or contact the manufacturer's support for further assistance.